Meeting with the head of the fraud prevention department of the company “KYIVSTAR”

On May 7, 2025, a meeting of higher education students studying at the OPP “Finance, Customs and Taxation” with Yana Hirchak, head of the fraud prevention department of the company “KYIVSTAR”, took place. The speaker presented a report “Telecommunications Fraud and the Psychology of Victims”, the presentation of which was distinguished not only by its clear structure and relevant information, but also by its in-depth explanation of the psychological aspects that make people vulnerable to fraudulent schemes.

Students were introduced to the most common types of fraud that users of telecommunications services encounter, including: phishing attacks via SMS and instant messengers, calls from pseudo-representatives of companies or banks, offers of non-existent services or winnings, as well as manipulation of payment data. Each type of fraud was illustrated with real-life examples. Much attention was paid to highlighting the psychology of victims. Company representatives explained how fraudsters use emotions such as fear, greed, trust, and a desire to help to make people act recklessly. It was emphasized that people of all ages and social status can become victims of fraud, regardless of their level of education or technological awareness.

An interesting aspect of the report was the discussion of methods for combating fraud. The speaker presented a number of practical tips for users, including: be vigilant and critical of any unexpected messages or calls; never disclose personal information, such as passwords, PIN codes or bank card details, to unknown persons; verify information obtained in questionable ways through official channels from companies; use reliable antivirus programs and update software; report suspicious actions to the operator’s support service and law enforcement agencies, etc. Yana Hirchak answered all the questions that interested the students, and the most active participants in the discussion – Sofia Garbich, Artem Kosenko, Roman Starosta, and Oleksandra Oliynyk – received interesting interactive gifts.

The employer brand of the company “KYIVSTAR” was represented by Yulia Makarenko and Kateryna Chernyavska, who drew attention to the “BezVagan” program and offered financial vacancies for future graduates. Overall, the meeting turned out to be extremely informative and useful. It not only revealed the scale and psychological mechanisms of fraud, but also provided valuable knowledge on how to recognize and prevent fraudulent actions. Kyivstar’s responsible approach to this important social problem and its desire to protect its customers is impressive.