During times of crisis like the Ukraine invasion, scammers take advantage of people’s heightened emotions and anxiety. Everyone should be extra cautious when sharing personal information and finances. Here are two methods that criminals use to scam people during times of uncertainty.

1. The Grandparent Scam

   Scammers may call you pretending to be your child or grandchild. In these phone calls, they will try to sound like someone you know, pretend to be in a dire situation, and beg that you send money immediately. With the Ukraine invasion, many scammers could be posing as people stranded or fleeing and in need of money.
   

   Here are some things you can do to avoid falling for these scams:

   • Never share family information publicly
   • Do not answer calls from unfamiliar phone numbers
   • Find a second, legitimate way to contact the person they claim to be
   • Never send cash, checks, or money of any type through unfamiliar means or to an unfamiliar address
2. Fake Fundraisers

   During times of crisis, it’s natural to feel like you want to help or contribute to those in need. Sadly, scammers often exploit this generosity by creating fake fundraiser pages online. If you wish to donate towards causes online, make sure you are donating on the official page of a legitimate organization. Search “legitimate ways to donate to ______” and only click on trusted sources.