Security & Fraud Prevention

Western Union Fraud Prevention

As a Western Union Money Transfer user, we value your business and take pride in delivering your funds to the intended recipient in a fast, convenient and reliable manner. However, there are individuals throughout the world who will attempt to use any system to receive payments in connection with fraudulent sales or solicitations.

Make sure you know to whom you are sending money. If you are purchasing goods or services and paying through the Western Union network, it is your responsibility to verify the reputation and legitimacy of the seller. Western Union is not liable for the non-receipt or quality of any goods or services.

Customers are being advised by bogus sellers to initially send money through Western Union using a fictitious name or a relative's name (which the sender is supposed to change later on). Western Union does not permit money to be sent using fictitious names or to change the receiver's name after the transaction has been sent. Western Union is not affiliated with any Internet merchants.

Customers are also being advised by bogus sellers that by withholding the Money Transfer Control Number from the receiver, the transaction will not be paid (only true for France, India, Pakistan, China, Korea & Nigeria). Western Union representatives typically pay out when a receiver presents a form of identification bearing the name of the intended receiver.

Customers are being advised by bogus sellers that by adding a Test Question and withholding the answer, the transaction will not be paid. Not true, if the receiver produces ID, the transaction will be paid (exception UK and Africa).

Customers are being advised by bogus sellers that you can specify the type of identification required by the receiver. Not true, so long as identification is presented, the monies will be paid.

Click here to find out the correct ID requirements.