Be sure everything is as it seems

#BeFraudSmart

You are our partner. While Western Union works hard to help prevent fraud, we believe that fraud prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Your best defense is to be aware, educate yourself, and use good judgment to prevent fraud. Don’t fall victim: Read these safety tips to learn how to spot the warning signs of a scam or scammer before it’s too late.

Fraud alerts

Relationship scam

Scammers contact their victims online and gain their trust by building fake relationships. After they have established trust, scammers ask their victims for money for various travel expenses, fees, or other emergency expenses. If you’ll be looking for love online, remain alert for signs that the other party in your relationship may not be who they say they are. Remember, you should never send money to someone you have not met in person.

Internet purchase scam

Scammers use websites or online classifieds to advertise items, such as cell phones, event tickets, and cars, that don’t exist. Be careful when sending money in response to an online advertisement.

Advance fee scam

Thieves pose as authentic companies and lure victims into paying fees in anticipation of receiving something of greater value, like a loan, credit card, grant, investment, or inheritance money. The victim sends money to the scammer using a money transfer service, but then receives nothing in return. These loans, credit cards, grants, investments, or inheritance sums never actually existed. And once the scammers get their money, they are never heard from again.

Protect yourself from fraud
  • Don’t send money for loan or credit card fees, customs or shipping fees.
  • Don’t send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
  • Be suspicious of businesses without a verified street address.
  • Don’t pay for an item or service with a money transfer to an individual.

Think you’ve been scammed?

Report it. You can help us and, in the process, help others from getting scammed in the future.

Call our Fraud Hotline at
1-800-448-1492

File a fraud claim
Report to authorities

Forward suspicious emails to
spoof@westernunion.com —do not cut and paste the contents, because valuable tracking information about the source will be lost.

Find out more

Fraud types

Employment scam

Victim responds to a job posting and is hired for the fictitious job and sent a fake check for job related expenses. Check amount exceeds the victim’s expenses and victim sends remaining funds back using a money transfer. The check bounces and the victim is responsible for the full amount.

Associated with:
Mystery Shopping scam, Fake Check scam

Article:
3 employment scams and tips to help avoid becoming a victim

Advanced fee scam

Victim is asked to pay upfront fees for financial services which are never provided. Victims often send a succession of transactions for payment of various upfront fees. Common methods could include: credit card, grants, loans, inheritance, or investment.

Associated with:
Tax scam, Telemarketing, Immigration scam, Charity scam, Social Networking scam, Fake Check scam, Grandparent scam

Articles:
4 ways to protect yourself against advanced fee and prepayment scams

Internet purchase scam

The victim sends money for the purchase of item ordered online (e.g. pets, cars). Items are often advertised on Craigslist, eBay, Alibaba, etc. After the money is sent, the victim never receives the merchandise.

Associated with:
Overpayment scam, Rental Property scam, Fake Check scam

Article:
Fraud alert: internet puppy purchase scams rising, Tips to protect yourself from online shopping scams this holiday season, Defend yourself from COVID-19 consumer scams

Grandparent scam

This scam is a variation on the Emergency scam.

The victim is contacted by an individual pretending to be a grandchild in distress, or a person of authority such as a medical professional, law enforcement officer, or attorney.

The fraudster describes an urgent situation or emergency (bail, medical expenses, emergency travel funds) involving the grandchild that requires a money transfer to be sent immediately.

No emergency has occurred, and the victim who sent money to help their grandchild has lost their money.

Associated with:
Advanced Fee / Prepayment scam, Emergency scam

Article:
6 tips and insights to avoid the grandparent scam

Lottery / Prize scam

Victim is told that they have won a lottery, prize or sweepstakes and that money must be sent to cover the taxes or fees on the winnings. The victim may receive a check for part of the winnings and once the check is deposited and money is sent, the check bounces.

Associated with:
Advanced Fee / Prepayment scam, Fake Check scam

Articles:
7 tips to avoid lottery scams, Avoid falling for sweepstakes scams

Romance scam

Victim is led to believe that they have a personal relationship with someone they met online often by social media, in an online forum or on a dating website. The victim is often emotionally invested, often referring to the recipient as a fiancée.

Associated with:
Social Networking scam, Military, Emergency scam, Extortion

Articles:
Looking for love on the Internet in 2016

Grandparent scam – Bernie

This scam is a variation on the Emergency scam.

The victim is contacted by an individual pretending to be a grandchild in distress, or a person of authority such as a medical professional, law enforcement officer, or attorney.

The fraudster describes an urgent situation or emergency (bail, medical expenses, emergency travel funds) involving the grandchild that requires a money transfer to be sent immediately.

No emergency has occurred, and the victim who sent money to help their grandchild has lost their money.

Associated with:
Advanced Fee / Prepayment scam, Emergency scam

Article:
6 tips and insights to avoid the grandparent scam

Stay up to date with fraud alerts

Fraud comes in all shapes and sizes. Learn more about fraud tricks used to lure victims.

See more fraud types

Test your fraud knowledge now

Take our fraud quiz

Newsroom

Western Union is helping to protect consumers from falling victim to money transfer scams through education and awareness.

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Knowledge can protect you

You work hard for your money and you want a company you can rely on when it comes to sending your money to friends and family. That’s why we want to help you protect yourself from fraud.

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Resource Center

Stand Guard—spot the warning signs of a scam before it’s too late, with tips, brochures, and other useful information.

Be resourceful, get educated and stop fraud
Keep informed and stay protected. The more information you have, the better you can shield yourself against criminals. Report fraud, stay updated on the latest scams, and learn how to detect con artists with these additional resources.