Fraud Awareness

Smart People Fall for Scams Every Day

Con artists use good people like you, and good money transfer companies like Western Union, to steal money. The best defense is awareness and education—so you can spot the warning signs. There’s a lot of information on this site to help you help yourself, help others, and help us. Together, we can fight fraud.

Consumer Fraud Awareness Videos

Scammers are constantly changing their tactics. But understanding their techniques will help protect you against them. Watch these fraud videos that describe the most common scam types and provide valuable tips for the consumer to use to help protect themselves from falling victim.

Watch videos

Money transfer never-evers

Eight things you shouldn’t do when sending a money transfer.

See more

Questions answered

Answers to common questions about fraud.

See more

Be aware

Learn more about what we do to help protect you from getting scammed.

See more

Fraud Awareness brochures

Download brochures for tips and information about protecting yourself from fraud.

See more

Fraud Alerts

Are You Looking for Rental Property or Do You Have Property to Rent?

Read this First!

Sophisticated scammers use the Internet, and particularly free classified websites, to prey on unsuspecting real estate victims. Rental property scams generally happen in one of two ways:

Consumers are looking for a house or apartment to rent and get scammed by an “owner.” Victims come across a place in a great area, at a great price. The advertisement looks legitimate so they start communicating with the “owner,” generally by email. The owner says the place is theirs if they wire money to cover an application fee, security deposit, etc. They wire the money, and then never hear from the “owner” again.

Consumers are renting out a house or apartment they own and get scammed by a “renter.” “Renters” contact victims, generally by email, and express interest in renting the house or apartment. Scammers send a check for the deposit but then cancel the deal. Victims wire the money back only to find out that the check was a fake.