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 with our informative tips. Don’t fall victim: Learn how to spot the warning signs of a scam or scammer before it’s too late.

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Fraud alerts

Internet Purchase Scam

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

Advanced 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.

Employment Scam

Scammers are contacting people with a fictitious job postings. The victims are supposedly hired, then asked to pay upfront fees for equipment bonds or other job-related expenses. Scammers may also send victims a check to cover up-front expenses for supplies. Victims deposit the check, buy the necessary supplies, and then are instructed to wire any remaining funds back.

Protect yourself from fraud

  • Don’t send money for loan or credit card fees, customs or shipping fees.
  • Don’t send funds from a check deposited into your account until it officially clears, which can take weeks and can be verified directly through your bank.
  • Avoid situations that pressure you to act immediately.
  • 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 +49 69 12 014 4034.

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

Protect Yourself—fraud comes in all shapes and sizes

Learn more about the tricks fraudsters use to lure in victims.

Test your fraud knowledge now
Smart people fall for scams every day. Test your knowledge of money transfer fraud and learn how to protect yourself.

Test your fraud knowledge now
Smart people fall for scams every day. Test your knowledge of money transfer fraud and learn how to protect yourself.

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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.

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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.