
Bucks Trading Standards have warned residents about recent scams surrounding the conflict in Ukraine.
They can prey on people's vulnerability and generosity in times like these, so do your research before donating.
Protect yourself with the following information:
• Scammers will pretend to be legitimate well-known charities, creating their own charity names, and impersonating people impacted by the war in Ukraine.
• Scammers will be cold-calling, direct messaging and creating fake websites and pages on social media to raise funds. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments in unsolicited emails, texts or social media messages. They may attempt to lure you into unwittingly downloading malware onto your device or take you to a fake website to steal your money and personal information.
• Do not donate via fundraising pages on platforms that do not verify the legitimacy of the fundraiser or that do not guarantee your money will be returned if the page is determined to be fraudulent.
• Be careful about crowdfunding requests as these may be fake and also come from scammers. Check the terms and conditions of funding platforms and ensure you are dealing with official organisations. If you are unsure, make your donation to an established charity instead.
• If you think you have paid money to a scammer, please contact your bank immediately.