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Protecting customers is a priority

Few things make us angrier at MoneyGram than when people use money transfer services for illegal activities to deliberately defraud and harm consumers. These criminals lie to convince you to transfer money to them, knowing that you won’t get your money back. The best way to stop them is to learn how they are trying to scam you. MoneyGram is dedicated to educating you so you don’t fall victim to a scam.

Protect yourself from consumer fraud

How can you protect yourself from fraudsters who want to steal your money? Learn their tricks. Use your common sense. And follow the tips here. It’s up to you whether the scammers win. Remember that any scam can succeed or fail, depending on whether you go along with it or not. Tips to protect yourself from wire transfer scams.

Always:

• Be aware of who you’re dealing with, especially if it’s an unsolicited offer of a prize or gift. Don’t trust a message like: “Congratulations, you’ve just won 1,000 dollars in a foreign lottery!”
• Research an offer to make sure it’s genuine. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Remember, transferring money is like sending cash. If you send it, it’s gone – you can’t get it back.

Never:

• Transfer money to someone you don’t know – ever!
• Deposit a check from someone who asks you to send some of the money back to them.
• Transfer money to a relative who is in crisis without checking the story first. Ask questions to verify the person’s identity.
• Send money to receive money.

Fraud prevention through knowledge of common fraud methods

Almost all bank transfer fraud starts with a stranger contacting you. Protect yourself from bank transfer fraud. Never transfer money to someone you don’t know.

Refund fraud

Have you received a call from someone claiming to work for the FTC? Did the caller promise to help you get a refund from the agency? This is a scam. Never send money or give bank account numbers or other confidential information to anyone who promises you refunds. Remember, the FTC does not make outbound calls to contact people, it does not ask consumers to provide bank account information or sensitive information, it does not ask you to send money, and if refunds are part of an FTC settlement, the FTC provides the funds by check. Also, if the caller ID gives the name of an organization you know or trust, be skeptical. Scammers use technology that can display legitimate numbers to coerce you into answering.

Disaster relief

In times of disaster, it’s important to be wary of charity scams. There are many legitimate ways to support people affected by floods, earthquakes, fires or other natural disasters. If you want to donate, you should donate in the same way you have donated before or through a trusted organization or company where you know exactly how the funds are collected and used. It’s important that you never send money to someone you don’t know through a money transfer service like MoneyGram. Occasionally, MoneyGram will support donation programs with a well-established charity.

Buying a vehicle

Found a great vehicle online or in an ad with a price too good to be true? Are you being asked to pay the down payment with a MoneyGram transfer? Unfortunately, this is a scam. Do not send money for the vehicle to the seller or a payment representative. The scammer may try to convince you to pay via MoneyGram to avoid sales tax and get a favorable price. They may even send you a letter or email telling you that you have purchased the vehicle, but that you need to wire money first to deliver it. You receive neither a car nor a truck. Once the money has been transferred and received, it can no longer be reclaimed and you will unfortunately have to face losing the money you transferred.

Sending money to a stranger

MoneyGram never recommends sending money to a stranger. Money received by a stranger cannot be reclaimed and unfortunately you will not get your money back. MoneyGram is very safe when you send to someone you know and trust.

Lottery

Legitimate lotteries or sweepstakes NEVER require participants to pay money upfront. If you receive a letter, phone call or email saying that you have won something (money or a prize) but that you need to transfer money for taxes, customs or other fees before you can collect the prize, it is a scam. Have you been told that you have won even though you have not bought a ticket or entered a prize draw? This is a scam. Do not send money to people who claim you have “won” something but need to send them money to collect your winnings.

Purchases on the Internet

Have you found something on the internet that interests you – a puppy, a car, a rental property or an item for sale? Does the price of the item seem too good to be true, and you’re asked to pay for the item with a MoneyGram transfer? Unfortunately, this is a scam. Do not send money to the seller for the item. They may even send you a confirmation letter or email telling you that you have purchased the item but need to transfer money first. Do not send the money. This is fraud. You will not receive the goods. Once the money has been transferred, it cannot be reclaimed and unfortunately you are not entitled to the money transferred.

Relative in need

Have you received a phone call from a grandchild or family member? Or a “solicitor” or “policeman” who is with your family member? Are they distraught because they were arrested in Canada for not having a fishing license or catching a protected species of fish? Have they been in a car accident? Are they asking for money for fines or a car repair?