How do I avoid scams when sending money abroad from the US?

To avoid scams when sending money abroad from the U.S.:

• Verify the recipient independently. Confirm their identity and payment details through a phone number or contact method you already trust—not one supplied in a new email or message. For a family emergency, call the person or another relative directly.
• Don’t let urgency or secrecy rush you. Pause if someone says you must send money immediately, keep it secret, or pay an unexpected fee to release a package, prize, or loan.
• Be especially wary of strangers and online relationships. Don’t send money to someone you haven’t met in person, or to anyone demanding gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer. These payments can be very hard to recover. (consumer.ftc.gov)
• Use a provider you can independently verify. Go to its official website or app yourself, and check that the company is legitimate. Don’t follow payment links or use phone numbers provided by a suspected sender.
• Check the total cost before paying. Compare the exchange rate, fees, taxes, and the amount the recipient is expected to receive—not just a “zero fee” claim. Covered providers generally have to disclose key transfer details. (consumerfinance.gov)
• Double-check the details. Confirm the recipient’s name, account or pickup information, destination country, and currency before authorizing the transfer. Send a small test amount first if practical.
• Keep the receipt and reference number. For many qualifying transfers over $15, you may have up to 30 minutes to cancel if the money hasn’t been picked up or deposited, and up to 180 days to report an error. Contact the provider immediately if anything looks wrong. (consumerfinance.gov)

If you think you’ve been scammed, contact the transfer company and your bank immediately to ask whether the payment can be stopped or recalled. Save messages and receipts, and report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Don’t send additional money to anyone promising to recover your funds.

Most international transfer scams work the same way: someone persuades you to send money to a person you don't really know, and the money is hard to recover. These steps help you avoid that.

1. Only send money to people you know and trust. Wire transfers are fast and hard to reverse, which is why fraudsters favor them. A stranger asking you to wire money is one of the clearest warning signs. Be especially careful with online relationships, where the other person's identity can be hidden. Scammers often win their victims' confidence with some bait, such as a work-at-home offer, a great deal on a product for sale, or news that you have won some kind of lottery. Be especially careful with transactions over the Internet, where the other person's true identity can remain anonymous.

2. Recognize common scam patterns.

• Family emergency calls: Someone pretends to be a relative in trouble and needs cash urgently. Hang up and call the family member at a number you already have.
• Impersonation: Callers may pose as your bank or the IRS. It's unlikely for a government agency to call you – and more often than not, unexpected calls asking for money are fraudulent.
• Fake checks: Someone sends you a check and asks you to wire part of it onward. Typically, you'll find that your bank can't clear the check – and you end up responsible for the debt.
• Money mules: Strangers offer a commission to move money for them. Avoid this, since you can be held liable.
• Hacked accounts: Even a known contact's account can be compromised. Even if you know the person requesting money, don't transfer large sums until you've spoken to them face-to-face, as a scammer may have hacked into their account to send a fake money request.

3. Verify before you send. Contact the person or organization using contact details you already trust, not the ones in the message or call. Scammers often change minor details to redirect funds to their accounts, so compare account numbers and recipient details against records you already have. Legitimate businesses also don't demand wire transfers to fix account problems or to prepay for services.

4. Use a regulated provider and check the real cost. Use a licensed bank or money transfer company rather than an unfamiliar app or individual offering a better rate. Compare the total cost: fees plus the exchange rate actually applied. The CFPB has warned that some providers falsely advertise services as "free" or "no fee" when a fee applies, or bury promotional terms in fine print. Also check delivery-time claims, since the CFPB has flagged misleading speed advertising too.

5. Lock down your accounts. Use a unique, strong password for each account, turn on two-factor authentication, and enable transaction alerts so you notice unauthorized activity quickly.

6. Keep records. Save confirmation numbers, receipts, screenshots of messages, and the exchange rate and fees shown at the time. These help if something goes wrong.

If you suspect you've been scammed: Contact your bank or the transfer provider immediately, since quick action sometimes allows a recall or freeze. Then report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, for online fraud, to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov).

To protect yourself when sending money abroad, the most important rule is to never send money to someone you have not met in person. Scammers frequently use the speed and anonymity of international transfers to steal funds that are nearly impossible to recover.

Here is a guide to help you identify risks and keep your money secure.

1. Recognize Common Scam Tactics

Scammers often rely on emotional manipulation or urgency to trick you. Watch for these red flags:

• The "Emergency" Scam: Someone claiming to be a relative or friend in distress (e.g., arrested, hospitalized, or stranded) contacts you, often asking for secrecy or immediate payment.
• The Romance Scam: Someone you met online builds a relationship with you and eventually asks for money for travel, medical bills, or visa fees.
• Invoice or Impersonation Fraud: You receive an email or message that looks like it is from a legitimate company or service provider, but it contains "updated" banking details for a payment.
• "Too Good to Be True" Offers: Fake job opportunities, lottery winnings, or "guaranteed" high-reward investments that require an upfront "processing fee".

2. Best Practices for Sending Money Safely

• Verify Recipient Details: Never rely on banking instructions sent via email or text. Call the recipient at a trusted, previously used phone number to confirm the account details before you send any money.
• Use Reputable Services: Stick to well-known, regulated banks or money transfer services. Avoid using platforms you are unfamiliar with, especially those that offer unusually low fees or "special" rates.
• Protect Your Information: Never share your bank account passwords, Social Security number, or other sensitive personal information over the phone or via email.
• Slow Down: Scammers thrive on urgency. If someone is pressuring you to send money "right now" or to keep the transaction secret, stop and take time to verify the situation through independent channels.

3. What to Do If You Suspect a Scam

• Contact Your Provider Immediately: If you believe you have sent money to a scammer, contact your bank or transfer service right away to see if the transaction can be stopped or reversed.
• Document Everything: Keep records of all communications with the person or entity, including emails, texts, and transaction receipts.
• Report It:
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): File a report at ic3.gov if the scam occurred online.
  • Local Authorities: Depending on the nature of the scam, consider filing a report with your local police.

Remember: Once money is wired internationally, it is often treated as cash and is extremely difficult to recover. When in doubt, it is always safer not to send the funds.

To reduce the risk of a scam when sending money abroad:

• Verify the recipient independently. Confirm their identity and payment details using a phone number or contact method you already trust—not one supplied in a suspicious message. For a bank transfer, double-check the recipient’s name, account number, and destination country before confirming.
• Pause if there’s urgency or secrecy. Pressure to pay immediately, keep the transfer private, or use one specific payment method is a major warning sign.
• Don’t send money to someone you only know online. Be especially wary of requests tied to romance, emergencies, prizes, jobs, investments, or “fees” to release a package or funds. Never forward money for an online contact; you could be moving stolen funds. ¹⁶¹⁰
• Avoid hard-to-reverse payments to strangers. Requests for gift-card codes, cryptocurrency, or a wire or cash-pickup transfer are strong red flags. Once collected or transferred, money can be difficult to recover. ¹¹³
• Use a legitimate provider and read the terms first. Compare the exchange rate, fees, delivery estimate, and cancellation rules. Keep your receipt and transaction number. The CFPB’s money-transfer resources explain how to raise an error or scam concern. ⁵
• If something feels off, stop and verify. Talk it over with someone you trust, and contact the supposed organization using its official website or number—not contact details in the request.

If you’ve already sent money: Contact the transfer company and your bank immediately, say you suspect fraud, and ask whether the transfer can be stopped or reversed. Some international transfers can be canceled within 30 minutes if the recipient hasn’t received the money. Save messages and receipts, and report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. ¹⁴¹³