{"id":2811,"date":"2025-06-17T07:55:43","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T07:55:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/ukraine\/?page_id=2811"},"modified":"2025-06-17T09:16:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T09:16:22","slug":"communication","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/ukraine\/safe-online\/communication\/","title":{"rendered":"Interact safely with others online"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"float:left;margin-bottom:20px\"><div style=\"margin-bottom:4px\"><strong style=\"text-transform:uppercase\">ON THIS PAGE YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT:<\/strong><\/div><a href=\"#strive-for-safe-online-interactions\" style=\"color:#fff;background-color:#0072bc;text-decoration:none;float:left;margin-right:8px;margin-bottom:8px;padding:4px;padding-left:12px;padding-right:12px;border-radius:4px;font-weight:500;cursor:pointer\">Strive for safe online interactions<\/a><a href=\"#you-should-stop-the-conversation-when\" style=\"color:#fff;background-color:#0072bc;text-decoration:none;float:left;margin-right:8px;margin-bottom:8px;padding:4px;padding-left:12px;padding-right:12px;border-radius:4px;font-weight:500;cursor:pointer\">You should stop the conversation when\u2026<\/a><a href=\"#recognise-fake-social-media-profiles\" style=\"color:#fff;background-color:#0072bc;text-decoration:none;float:left;margin-right:8px;margin-bottom:8px;padding:4px;padding-left:12px;padding-right:12px;border-radius:4px;font-weight:500;cursor:pointer\">Recognise fake social media profiles<\/a><\/div><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-default\" style=\"border:none;margin-bottom:20px;width:100%\" \/>\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Engaging with strangers often becomes a part of your daily life, especially when exploring and applying for offers others posted online. While these interactions can unlock new opportunities and provide crucial support, they also come with inherent risks. Understanding how to communicate safely, recognising potential dangers, and knowing when to exit a conversation are key skills in navigating these digital interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"has-x-large-font-size wp-block-heading\" id=\"strive-for-safe-online-interactions\" style=\"margin-bottom:0.2em\"><strong>Strive for safe online interactions<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">When you start messaging with someone you haven\u2019t met before, <strong>you should always aim to keep the conversation focused<\/strong>. Stick to the topic at hand, whether it\u2019s a job offer, housing, or another form of assistance. Whenever possible, communicate through official platforms or websites. If using social media or messaging apps, ensure that the conversation remains professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Be cautious about sharing sensitive personal information<\/strong> such as your address, financial details, or family information. Only share what is necessary and relevant for the specific offer or assistance, and after you have verified the legitimacy of the individual or organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">It\u2019s always a good idea to <strong>keep records of your online interactions<\/strong>. Save messages, emails, or any other form of communication. This can be helpful if you need to report a problem or refer back to specific details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:2em\"><div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"background-color:#6AE8CC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;padding-bottom:1px;margin-bottom:20px\"><div class=\"emoji is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:white;width:50px;border-radius:25px;text-align:center;line-height:50px;height:50px;font-size:28px;margin-bottom:16px\">?<\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0.2em\"><strong>An online conversation is considered safe when\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"list-style-type:none;padding-left:0;margin-left:0\">\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-bottom:12px\">It<strong> involves consensual engagement<\/strong>, where you&#x27;ve willingly chosen to participate and can comfortably end the conversation at any time without feeling pressured.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-bottom:12px\"><strong>There is transparency of intentions<\/strong>, with all parties being clear and upfront about their reasons for engaging, without any hidden motives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-bottom:12px\"><strong>Interactions are respectful<\/strong>, characterised by the avoidance of derogatory language, name-calling, or bullying, and maintaining civility even in disagreements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-bottom:12px\"><strong>Privacy boundaries are respected<\/strong>, ensuring that sensitive or personal identifying details are neither shared nor requested inappropriately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-bottom:12px\"><strong>Data is handled responsibly<\/strong>, meaning your personal information is used solely for its intended purpose and not disclosed without proper consent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-bottom:12px\"><strong>Information comes from credible sources<\/strong>, contributing to the quality of the conversation and avoiding misinformation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-bottom:12px\"><strong>There are no suspicious links or attachments shared<\/strong>, safeguarding against potential spam.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-bottom:12px\"><strong>The conversation is free from undue pressure or rush to make decisions<\/strong>, allowing you to think and respond at a comfortable pace without feeling coerced.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"has-x-large-font-size wp-block-heading\" id=\"you-should-stop-the-conversation-when\" style=\"margin-bottom:0.2em\"><strong>You should stop the conversation when\u2026<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:2em\"><div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"background-color:#FFBCC1;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;padding-bottom:1px;margin-bottom:20px\"><div class=\"emoji is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:white;width:50px;border-radius:25px;text-align:center;line-height:50px;height:50px;font-size:28px;margin-bottom:16px\">?<\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0.2em\"><strong>S<strong>omeone is too nice or flattering to you<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">It often serves as a tactic to gain trust and affection quickly. This behaviour can involve excessive compliments and may seem out of context. Such flattery can lead to manipulation, where the individual may exploit your gained trust for emotional, financial, or other harmful purposes.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"background-color:#FFBCC1;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;padding-bottom:1px;margin-bottom:20px\"><div class=\"emoji is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:white;width:50px;border-radius:25px;text-align:center;line-height:50px;height:50px;font-size:28px;margin-bottom:16px\">?<\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0.2em\"><strong>S<strong>omeone harasses you<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">They persistently behave in an aggressive, offensive, or intimidating manner. This could include sending repeated unwanted messages, making threats, or using derogatory language. The consequences can be severe, leading to emotional distress, anxiety, and a compromised sense of safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:2em\"><div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"background-color:#FFBCC1;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;padding-bottom:1px;margin-bottom:20px\"><div class=\"emoji is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:white;width:50px;border-radius:25px;text-align:center;line-height:50px;height:50px;font-size:28px;margin-bottom:16px\">?<\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0.2em\"><strong>S<strong>omeone asks too much about you<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">It can be an attempt to gather sensitive personal information. This might include probing into your daily routine, relationships, or financial details. The risks include privacy invasion, potential stalking, or identity theft, which can have lasting impacts on your security and well-being.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"background-color:#FFBCC1;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;padding-bottom:1px;margin-bottom:20px\"><div class=\"emoji is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:white;width:50px;border-radius:25px;text-align:center;line-height:50px;height:50px;font-size:28px;margin-bottom:16px\">?<\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0.2em\"><strong>S<strong>omeone knows too much about you<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">They might bring up specific details about your life, indicating they&#x27;ve been gathering information about you. If you haven\u2019t shared that information, it&#x27;s a major red flag. This overfamiliarity can lead to privacy breaches and security concerns, as it often signifies stalking or cyber surveillance.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:2em\"><div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"background-color:#FFBCC1;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;padding-bottom:1px;margin-bottom:20px\"><div class=\"emoji is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:white;width:50px;border-radius:25px;text-align:center;line-height:50px;height:50px;font-size:28px;margin-bottom:16px\">?<\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0.2em\"><strong>Y<strong>ou receive a too nice offer<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">These offers are typically scams aimed at enticing you into providing personal information or money, leading to potential financial loss or identity theft. For example,  an unexpectedly high-paying job or a lucrative investment deal with little requirement, should be taken with caution. <\/p>\n\n<\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"background-color:#FFBCC1;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;padding-bottom:1px;margin-bottom:20px\"><div class=\"emoji is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:white;width:50px;border-radius:25px;text-align:center;line-height:50px;height:50px;font-size:28px;margin-bottom:16px\">?<\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0.2em\"><strong>The <strong>conversation is tried to be kept secret<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Especially if the other person knows you&#x27;re in a vulnerable position, it indicates a desire to isolate and manipulate you. This secrecy can lead to abusive situations or grooming, particularly in interactions with children or teenagers.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:2em\"><div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"background-color:#FFBCC1;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;padding-bottom:1px;margin-bottom:20px\"><div class=\"emoji is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:white;width:50px;border-radius:25px;text-align:center;line-height:50px;height:50px;font-size:28px;margin-bottom:16px\">?<\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0.2em\"><strong>S<strong>omeone requests explicit content<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">It&#x27;s a violation of your privacy and autonomy. Such requests can lead to sextortion, where your images or videos are used to blackmail or exploit you, impacting your mental health and reputation significantly.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"background-color:#FFBCC1;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;padding-bottom:1px;margin-bottom:20px\"><div class=\"emoji is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:white;width:50px;border-radius:25px;text-align:center;line-height:50px;height:50px;font-size:28px;margin-bottom:16px\">?<\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0.2em\"><strong>So<strong>meone sends explicit content<\/strong> to you<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">It&#x27;s a form of sexual harassment. This unsolicited sharing can be very disturbing and emotionally harmful. The situation can be distressing and lead to significant discomfort, impacting your mental well-being and sense of safety in the online environment.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" style=\"text-align:center;background:linear-gradient(180deg, #0095F5 0%, #0072BC 100%);border-radius:10px\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/ukraine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/ukraine.en_.help-communication-messages-en.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"max-height:540px;max-width:96%\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\" style=\"text-align:center;margin-top:8px;margin-bottom:24px\"><\/figcaption>\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:2em\"><div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"background-color:#FCF366;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;padding-bottom:1px;margin-bottom:20px\"><div class=\"emoji is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:white;width:50px;border-radius:25px;text-align:center;line-height:50px;height:50px;font-size:28px;margin-bottom:16px\">\u26a0\ufe0f<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Even a single message can count as harassment and could cause harm to you when not recognised in time. If something or someone online is making you uncomfortable, trust your instincts.<br \/><strong>It is your right to end any interaction at any moment! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<h1 class=\"has-x-large-font-size wp-block-heading\" id=\"recognise-fake-social-media-profiles\" style=\"margin-bottom:0.2em\"><strong>Recognise fake social media profiles<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">In the online world, the creation and <strong>use of fake profiles have become a common tactic for various malicious purposes<\/strong>. Individuals behind these fake profiles might be aiming to scam, deceive, or harass unsuspecting users. They craft these profiles with enough credibility to lure people into trusting them, only to exploit this trust for their gain.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:2em\"><div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"background-color:#FFBCC1;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;padding-bottom:1px;margin-bottom:20px\"><div class=\"emoji is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:white;width:50px;border-radius:25px;text-align:center;line-height:50px;height:50px;font-size:28px;margin-bottom:16px\">?<\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0.2em\"><strong>A social media profile is probably fake when\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"list-style-type:none;padding-left:0;margin-left:0\">\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-bottom:12px\">It\u2019s<strong> newly created<\/strong>, with a recent account creation date, especially if it&#x27;s coupled with a high level of activity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-bottom:12px\">It<strong> displays limited information<\/strong>, with minimal details and sections lacking depth or completeness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-bottom:12px\">There are <strong>few or no connections<\/strong>, and the existing ones don\u2019t seem genuine or active.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-bottom:12px\">The <strong>posts are inconsistent or generic<\/strong>, lacking personal elements or showing discrepancies with the provided profile information.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-bottom:12px\">There<strong> <\/strong>is<strong> <\/strong>a<strong> high volume of spammy posts<\/strong>, shared within a short timeframe and often irrelevant or promotional in nature.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-bottom:12px\">The<strong> profile picture is a stock image or absent<\/strong>, and personal photos are scarce or non-existent.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">When it comes to the<strong> offers made by these profiles, they often sound too good to be true<\/strong>. They might promise high rewards for little effort or investment, preying on the desires and vulnerabilities of users. These offers are frequently accompanied by a sense of urgency, pressuring the recipient to act quickly without giving them time to think or verify the details. This urgency is a tactic designed to bypass rational thinking and provoke impulsive actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">In their communication, they often exhibit a lack of professionalism. The language used might be informal, contain grammatical errors, or just feel off in tone. Furthermore, these offers frequently involve requests for money or personal information early in the conversation. The details of the offers are usually hard to verify through independent sources or legitimate channels, making them dubious and potentially dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Always approach such interactions with caution, and prioritise verifying the authenticity of profiles and the credibility of their offers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-default\" style=\"border:none;margin-top:34px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"height:100%\"><a href=\"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/ukraine\/en\/safe-online\/offers\" style=\"text-decoration:none\"><div style=\"position:relative;height:100%;min-height:100px;color:#fff;width:100%;padding:10px;background:linear-gradient(180deg, #0095F5 0%, #0072BC 100%);text-decoration:none;overflow:hidden;border-radius:10px;text-align:left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/ukraine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/pagination-previous.png\" alt=\"Background\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:contain;opacity:0.7;object-position:top left;left:0\" \/><span style=\"font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;text-transform:uppercase\">previous chapter<\/span><br \/><h3 style=\"position:relative;z-index:1;font-size:22px\"><strong>Verify the offers you receive online<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"height:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-top:0\"><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"height:100%\"><a href=\"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/ukraine\/en\/safe-online\/scams\" style=\"text-decoration:none\"><div style=\"position:relative;height:100%;min-height:100px;color:#fff;width:100%;padding:10px;background:linear-gradient(180deg, #0095F5 0%, #0072BC 100%);text-decoration:none;overflow:hidden;border-radius:10px;text-align:right\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/ukraine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/pagination-next.png\" alt=\"Background\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:contain;opacity:0.7;object-position:top right;right:0\" \/><span style=\"font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;text-transform:uppercase\">next chapter<\/span><br \/><h3 style=\"position:relative;z-index:1;font-size:22px\"><strong>Recognise scams and phishing attempts<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ON THIS PAGE YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT: Strive for safe online interactionsYou should stop the conversation when\u2026Recognise fake social media profiles Engaging with strangers often becomes a part of your daily life, especially when exploring and applying for offers others posted online. While these interactions can unlock new opportunities and provide crucial support, they also [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":347,"featured_media":0,"parent":2591,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2811","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/ukraine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2811","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/ukraine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/ukraine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/ukraine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/347"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/ukraine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2811"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/ukraine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2811\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3050,"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/ukraine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2811\/revisions\/3050"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/ukraine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2591"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.unhcr.org\/ukraine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}