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.

Fraud types

Stay up to date with fraud alerts

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

Test your fraud knowledge now

Newsroom

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

Follow our alerts and updates

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.

image-and-bg-left-copy

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.