Fraud protection

• Do not send money to unknown individuals.
• Do not discuss details of your money transfer with anyone other than the recipient.
• Do not send money for purchasing goods or services over the internet.

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Dear users,

Please adhere to our clear instructions when using the Western Union service and do not use this service to send money to unknown persons, make advance payments for goods or services, or disclose personal information, transaction details, or copies of money transfer documentation to any third party.

Protecting and raising awareness among Western Union service users about fraud is a key component in fraud prevention.

Below we list the most common types of fraud, noting that scammers are very creative in devising new fraudulent activities, so you should always be extremely cautious when sending money.

ADVANCE FEE OR UPFRONT PAYMENT
The victim is asked to pay fees in advance for financial services that are never provided. The victim usually makes a series of advance payments for various fees. Methods: credit card, scholarship, loan, inheritance, investment.

ANTIVIRUS FRAUD
The victim is contacted by someone pretending to be from a well-known computer or software company claiming a virus has been detected on the victim's computer. The person advises the victim that the virus can be removed and the computer protected for a low fee, payable by credit card or money transfer. In fact, there is no virus, and the victim loses the money paid for the protection.

CHARITY FRAUD
The victim is often contacted by someone via email, mail, or phone and asked to send a donation via money transfer to help victims of a recent event or disaster (such as a flood, cyclone, or earthquake). Legitimate humanitarian organizations never request donations to be sent to an individual via money transfer services.

EMERGENCIES
The victim is led to believe they are sending money to help a friend or relative in urgent need. The victim sends money quickly because the scammer exploits the natural concern for loved ones.

EMPLOYMENT
The victim responds to a job advertisement and is hired for a fictitious job, receiving a fake check for job-related expenses. The check amount exceeds the victim’s expenses, and the victim returns the difference via money transfer. When the check is declined, the victim is responsible for the entire amount of the invalid check.

FAKE CHECKS
The victim often receives a check and is instructed to cash it and use the funds for job-related expenses, online purchases, mystery shopping, etc. The check is fake, and the victim becomes responsible for all the funds used from the check. Remember: deposited check funds should not be used until the check officially clears, which can take weeks.

GRANDPARENT SCAM
This scam is a variation of the emergency scam. The victim is contacted by someone pretending to be a grandchild in distress or an authorized person, such as a healthcare worker, police officer, or lawyer. The scammer describes an urgent situation involving the grandchild who needs money quickly. However, no urgent situation occurred, and the victim loses their money sent to help their grandchild.

IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS
The victim receives a call from someone claiming to be an immigration officer, informing the victim of a problem with their immigration record. Sometimes personal and sensitive information about their immigration status is provided to make the story more convincing. An urgent payment is requested to resolve the issue, with threats of deportation or jail if payment is not made immediately via money transfer.

INTERNET PURCHASES SCAM 
The victim sends money to buy goods ordered online (e.g., pet, car, etc.). The goods are often advertised on Craigslist, eBay, Alibaba, etc. Once the money is sent, the victim never receives the goods.

TAX SCAM
The victim is contacted by someone claiming to be from a government agency, stating that the victim owes taxes and must pay immediately to avoid arrest, deportation, or license/passport revocation. The victim is instructed to send a money transfer or buy a prepaid debit card to pay the taxes. Government agencies never require immediate payment or call before sending a bill.

LOTTERY OR PRIZE SCAMS
The victim is notified they won a lottery, prize, or bet and must send money to cover taxes or fees for the winnings. The victim may receive a check for part of the winnings, and once the check is deposited and the victim sends the money, the check is declined.

MYSTERY SHOPPING
The scammer contacts the victim through a job site, or the victim responds to a job ad about evaluating money transfer services. The scammer often sends the victim a check and instructs them to send a money transfer, keeping part of the check amount as payment. The victim sends the money, the scammer withdraws the funds, and when the check is declined, the victim is responsible for the full amount.

OVERPAYMENT
The scammer sends the victim a seemingly valid check for a service or product payment. The check amount usually exceeds what the victim expects, and the scammer instructs the victim to return the excess via money transfer. When the check is declined, the victim is responsible for the full amount.

ROMANCE SCAM
The victim believes they have a personal relationship with someone they met online, often through social media, an online forum, or a dating site. The victim is usually emotionally invested and often considers the recipient a fiancé/fiancée.

RENTAL SCAM
The victim sends money as a deposit for renting a property but never gets access to the rental property, or the victim, as the property owner, receives a check from a renter and is asked to return part of the check amount via money transfer, and the check is declined.