New Visa Stay Secure Study Reveals 7 out of 10 Ukrainians are Concerned About Their Loved Ones Falling Prey to Scammers

KYIV, September 13, 2023 — 7 out of 10 Ukrainians are concerned about their loved ones responding to a fraudulent message asking to confirm the account data, according to Visa’s latest Stay Secure Study[1] conducted by Wakefield Research in 2023.The level of awareness of fraudulent social engineering tactics is evidenced by the following: 73% of Ukrainians are likely to disregard the warning signs that suggest online criminal activity. The study also revealed that 1 out of 2 Ukrainians has been a victim of a scam at least once, and a further 17% have been tricked multiple times.«In today’s digital-first world, scams are evolving in sophistication, with criminals using new approaches to trick unsuspecting consumers.

Whether it’s a parcel held up at customs, a streaming subscription claiming to have expired, or a gift card from a favorite brand, scammers are adopting extremely persuasive tactics to deceive their victims. With the rapid growth in digital payments, it is essential now more than ever that consumers understand the language of fraud and act with a high level of caution,» explains Charles Lobo, Regional Risk Officer for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa at Visa.

The Stay Secure Study is a part of Visa’s Pay Secure information campaign, which reflects Visa’s commitment to raising consumer awareness of possible online scam scenarios, teaching consumers more informed and safe behaviors, and increasing financial literacy. In Ukraine, the campaign is held in support of the National Bank of Ukraine’s initiative to combat fraud, #ШахрайГудбай (Goodbye Scammer).