Exchanging a Paper Driver's License: Beware of Online "Helpers"
The Cyber Police are urging citizens to be vigilant when renewing their driver’s licenses and not to trust suspicious offers online.
If you have a driver’s license in the form of a paper booklet, don’t rush to contact so-called “assistants” on social media or messaging apps. Scammers may offer to issue a modern driver’s license online, without visiting a Ministry of Internal Affairs service center, but instead demand an upfront payment and photos of your documents.
As a result, you risk losing money and receiving a counterfeit document that will not appear in government registries, the Driver’s Cabinet, or the “Diya” app.
At the same time, driver’s licenses in the form of a paper booklet, previously issued in Ukraine before 1991, remain valid within Ukraine. It is not mandatory to exchange them. If you wish to obtain a modern license, you can do so by officially applying at a Ministry of Internal Affairs service center.
How can you avoid falling for scammers’ tricks?
Be cautious of offers if:
- communication takes place only via a messaging app;
- you are promised that the permit will be issued entirely online;
- they claim they will “enter your data into the database” without following the official procedure;
- they demand an advance payment to a private bank card;
- they claim to be employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs service center;
- they ask you to send photos of your passport or other documents.
Remember: Official services are not processed through random social media pages or private chats. Sending photos of your documents and making payments to unknown individuals can result in financial loss and the misuse of your personal data.
If you come across a suspicious ad or have already provided your information or money, save the correspondence, links, phone numbers, and other evidence, and report it to law enforcement or by submitting an online report on the Cyber Police website. More information about current scams and ways to protect yourself can be found on the “Cyber Brama” portal—stopfraud.gov.ua.
Do not trust promises to “quickly process everything online.” Verify the information and use only official services.
Official website of the Main Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs: hsc.gov.ua.
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