34 Unauthorized Charges in 20 Minutes: PrivatBank Customers Report Widespread Theft.

Unauthorized Withdrawals from PrivatBank Client Accounts

According to Novyny.live: PrivatBank customers are reporting unauthorized fund withdrawals from their accounts. A total of 34 transactions amounting to over 1,200 hryvnias were linked to payments for Facebook services. According to the affected client, the money was taken on March 19, 2026, even though the cardholder never authorized any of these payments. This incident is part of a growing wave of complaints about digital fraud targeting Ukrainian bank users.

The deductions reportedly occurred within a 20-minute window, continuing until the account balance was depleted. The client stated:

“Money was taken from my card on 19.03.2026 through various payments over 20 minutes, until my account ran out of funds. In total, 34 transactions worth more than 1,229 hryvnias were made in favor of Facebook without my permission.”

Notably, the victim does not have a business account on Facebook, and the bank card used in the transactions was not linked to their profile on the social network.

Additionally, the client expressed concern that during none of the 34 transactions did the bank send an SMS or any notification requesting payment confirmation.

“What shocks me is that during all 34 transactions, the bank did not send a single SMS or message asking me to confirm the payment,”

Recommendations for PrivatBank Customers

PrivatBank clients should also be aware that the default daily limit for online payments is 2,000 hryvnias. Additionally, there are transfer restrictions:

• Up to 1,000,000 hryvnias for incoming transfers per month;
• Up to 100,000 hryvnias for outgoing transfers per month.

In light of these events, it is important to pay attention to how PrivatBank secures online transactions and how to report fraud through the 'Privat24' system.

This case underscores the importance of protecting personal finances and the need to closely monitor account activity. Bank clients should remain vigilant and regularly review their financial transactions, while also using available security tools such as two-factor authentication and account monitoring. As technology evolves, fraudsters are finding new ways to deceive users, so staying informed about the risks associated with online banking is crucial.