9 Out of 10 Russians Have Encountered Phone Scammers

According to a study by Tinkoff Data, nine out of ten Russian citizens have received scam phone calls. Even more concerning, the number of such calls increased by a staggering 170% in the first four months of 2021 compared to the previous year. The study notes that scammers were especially active in January, which experts attribute to their strategy of exploiting the holiday season when people are more relaxed and less vigilant.

Despite the rise in scam calls, many Russians seem to have become better at recognizing and avoiding these schemes. This is reflected in the decrease in the percentage of successful scam calls, which dropped from 22.5% to 13%.

How Scammers Operate

Tinkoff Data representatives highlighted that in 80% of cases, scammers use social engineering tactics. They often try to lure victims with promises of quick profits or high returns from so-called “brokers” or “cryptocurrency dealers.”

Surprisingly, only 14% of Russians report scam calls to their bank, according to Tinkoff Data. About half of those surveyed simply hang up without engaging in conversation.

Expert Advice on Avoiding Scams

Nikolay Nashivochnikov, Deputy General Director and CTO of Gazinformservice, warns about the increasing use of social engineering and offers advice on how to avoid falling victim to cybercriminals:

• Never share SMS codes or one-time passwords with anyone.
• Do not give out your bank card details to strangers, no matter who they claim to be. Your card always has the official contact center phone number printed on it—use it to verify any information related to your card.
• If you frequently shop online, especially on classified ad sites, avoid paying in advance for items offered at attractive prices. It’s safer to pay after you receive the product or service.
• Do not blindly trust emails, even if they appear to be from government agencies. Such emails could be sent by scammers and may contain viruses designed to steal your personal data. Always call the official phone numbers of the institution to verify any suspicious messages.
• If you receive a request on social media to send money or lend funds, make sure the request is genuinely from the person it claims to be. Double-check before transferring any money.

As Nashivochnikov notes, “Cybercriminals are increasingly using social engineering methods to steal money from Russians. At the same time, banks and experts are working to educate the public. The percentage of successful scam calls is decreasing, which means we’re on the right track.”