Fraudsters continue to attack the bank accounts of Ukrainians, and in 2024 alone, they managed to steal over 1.1 billion hryvnias. The National Bank of Ukraine published such data, emphasizing the growth in the activity of attackers and the increase in the average size of the theft.
Compared to 2023, the average amount of funds stolen from one person's account increased from 3.1 to 4.8 thousand hryvnias. At the same time, the bulk of fraudulent transactions — 83% of cases — occur online. The remaining 17% are at ATMs, payment terminals, and other physical devices.
Social engineering, a method in which account holders themselves unknowingly provide confidential data, remains the main tool used by attackers. In 2024, 84% of all losses were caused by this method.
The National Bank highlights the most common fraudulent schemes:
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messages or calls about alleged financial assistance;
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an appeal on behalf of banking institutions or the National Bank itself with a request to provide card details or SMS codes;
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request for a transfer of funds on behalf of relatives or friends;
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fake links that require you to enter full bank card details - this often happens when selling goods online.
Vigilance will help avoid fraud, the National Bank emphasizes. In case of suspicious messages, you should immediately check the information directly with the bank or contact the person who is allegedly asking for help. It is strictly not recommended to follow suspicious links from SMS, instant messengers or emails.
Financial security in the digital world starts with the caution of each user. No bank asks for confirmation codes or CVV cards over the phone or through correspondence.
