Millions of people are affected by money transfer scams every year. In 2021, Australians lost a whopping $2 billion to scams and this number reached $3.1 billion in 2022! With this in mind, learn what to look out for to keep your money safe.
The most common money transfer scams always include at least one of the following:
A request from someone you've never met.
Someone in a crisis that you can't tell anyone else about.
A money transfer is the only form of payment accepted.
Getting to know someone online and after you feel a connection, they ask you to wire money
Never send money to someone you have not met in person
"Accidental" money transfer
You receive a transfer on Revolut, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay or a similar service from someone you don't know. The amount of this transfer may vary, but will probably be a few hundred dollars. You'll receive a message after the transfer claiming that it was sent by accident, and the sender will ask you to send the money back. You want to do the right thing so you refund them the "accidental" transfer amount, only to realise later you never received a transfer from them to begin with and now you've lost a few hundred dollars or more.
What to do
Do not refund them the amount. Chances are the original transfer they sent you was paid for with a stolen credit card and it will be cancelled on its own. Instead, ask the user who "accidentally" sent you money to cancel the transaction on their end, or request that they contact the platform directly for assistance.
Online purchase scams
You've found your dream apartment but are requested to transfer the first month's rent upfront. Or a timeshare, but there are taxes you need to take care of with a money order first. Maybe your search for a car has paid off with an unbelievable deal, but there are application fees you need to cover with a money transfer. While many online retailers are legitimate, scammers leverage the anonymity of the Internet to rip you off. That includes asking for money before you've even gotten the merchandise. Before you know it, they're gone — along with your money.
What to do
Be wary of anybody online who tells you there are upfront deposits or payments — especially if you haven't yet met them and there's no contract. And if anybody online says you can only pay with a money transfer or money order, find another retailer. Or ask to meet in person.
Lottery and sweepstakes scams
What luck! You've received a letter that you've scored a prize. Or maybe you're contacted about a lottery you've won. It's a lot of money, and there's only one catch: you first need to pay a fee or cover taxes to receive it. It's such a small amount, about $1,000. Surely that's worth receiving what you're due.
What to do
You should never have to pay upfront to receive a prize or lottery winnings. That alone should raise red flags. But if you're curious, research the company from which you've received your letter to see what others have to say. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
"Get out of jail" scams
An email or phone call may come in from someone claiming to be a loved one, or from someone claiming to be an attorney or police officer on behalf of a loved one. The person requests money be wired immediately in order to post bail.
What to do
Never send money without verifying the identity of the recipient. If you're concerned you may be leaving someone in the wind, ask for the details of where they're supposedly being held then try to contact the loved one through friends, family members and contact information you had prior to the call.
"Guaranteed" loan scams
You get a letter that you're guaranteed approval for a loan or credit card. There's only one last task before you can get it: send money for the application or taxes. That's easy enough, right?
What to do
You should never need to send money in order to receive an authentic credit card or loan. Instead of sending the money, research the company who sent you the letter. You'll probably see warnings from others to rip it up.
Phishing scams
You open your computer to an email from your bank asking you to verify your account number. Or it could be from an e-retailer needing confirmation of your password. Sometimes it's a link from your email provider itself asking you to click and double-check your details. It's all so official, how could it not be legit?
What to do
Don't be tricked into giving out any personal information. Keep in mind that you will never be emailed by a legitimate bank, retailer or another service provider to confirm your personal information, financial details or password. This is called "phishing", and you should not reply or click any links in the email. Instead, report it to the ACCC and include the email or a screenshot.
Bogus check scams
Being an online seller doesn't mean you're safe from scammers. Unbelievably, they'll find a way even when the tables are turned. You may have gotten a reply to your online auction with a cheque that's for more than your item — with a simple request for you to wire back the difference. The cheque is likely fake, leaving you on the hook for both the money you wire and a bounced cheque fee from your bank.
What to do
If you receive a cashier's cheque, do not cash it. Take it to your bank or the authorities for verification.
Mystery shopper scams
You may be contacted about a fun new gig: becoming a mystery shopper for a local retail chain. Along with your welcome letter, you're sent a money order. Only the amount is more than it should be. When you contact the number on your letter, you're told to go ahead and cash it, and then simply send a money order for the surplus. Better yet, send a wire transfer to refund the company more quickly.
What to do
You've likely recognised this for what it is: just another variation of the bogus check scam. Do not cash the money order. And lose the number for this bogus company, instead of losing your hard-earned cash.
Charity scams
Disasters bring out the best in people. But they can also unearth con artists who prey on the altruistic. Be cautious of letters requesting donations in cash or by money transfer to cover the cost of aid.
What to do
Research the charity online through the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC), which has the credentials of all genuine charities. Because some scammers use names that closely resemble well-known, reputable organisations, Google the exact name shown in your email or letter. And never transfer money to anybody claiming to be a charity. It's best to pay by cheque or credit card.
Nigerian dignitary scams
Although it's the butt of many jokes, the "Nigerian prince" scam still happens often. For this scam, you're contacted by somebody requesting your help in recovering a great deal of money. They claim that if you help them by providing your banking account information or money to pay fees, you'll be rewarded with a substantial portion of the money.
What to do
This is just another variation of the advance fee scam. Never provide your financial information or send money to anybody you don't know.
"Stranded traveler" scams
This one involves an email from friends, often ones travelling abroad, who've found themselves in trouble and need money sent immediately to return home. The amount is nearly always $1,000 or more and may even appear to come from a friend's actual email address. Except it's not actually your friend who's sending it. Instead, their account has been hijacked through a phishing scam.
What to do
Be wary of any email from a friend in trouble overseas. Attempt to make contact with them or confirm their whereabouts with your social network. As with other scams, never send money without being certain you know the recipient.
Online dating scams
Another tough one — and therefore popular among scammers — involves a bond with somebody you've met online through a dating site. Often, that person wants to immediately leave the site for a more intimate IM or text chat. They may claim to be working overseas with plans to visit soon. Over the course of some time, you're led to believe there's a strong connection. And then they ask for you to transfer some money.
What to do
By now, you know the answer: don't send money to anybody you don't know. You could ask to meet in person, even if it seems impossible — their refusal will be a clear sign that they may not be who they say they are. If you were emailed a photo, consider using a reverse photo search to see if you can confirm the name you've been given. You may discover many names attached to the photo. Again, a clear sign that you're dealing with a scammer.
Avoid becoming a victim of a wire transfer scam by following a few basic tenets:
Never send money to strangers. Under any circumstances.
Pay by credit card. That way, you’ll have some recourse if things go awry.
Be wary of unsolicited emails. Your email, financial and other service providers will never email you to confirm personal info or passwords.
Go with your gut. Con artists deal in pressure and threats. When in doubt, slow down. A quick online search can often confirm your suspicions.
How to choose a reputable money transfer provider
Most reputable online providers will have up to date security measures in place to make sure your data and information is secure when sending an international money transfer. Many will have dedicated email addresses or customer service phone lines to receive tips on potential scams. When choosing a provider, don't be afraid to ask tough questions and compare your options to find the safest one for you.
Finder survey: How many international transfers have Australians made in the last 12 months?
Response
Male
Female
2-5
4.27%
2.11%
0
1.86%
0.88%
1
1.86%
1.58%
10+
0.74%
1.05%
6-9
0.93%
0.7%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1110 Australians, December 2023
I may be the victim of a scam. What should I do?
If you suspect that you’re the victim of a money transfer scam:
Report it to the authorities. If it involves fraud or theft, file a police report. For any financial and investment scams, it's best to contact the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
Inform the ACCC. You can report a scam online at scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam. While they can't help you recover the lost money, your report will help the ACCC warn the rest of the community about the latest scams.
Change your passwords. If you're worried your email, bank account or any other online account may be compromised, change your password straight away. It also may help to check for viruses with your security software, in case your device has been hacked.
Many online seller websites like eBay have their own protocol for reporting and dealing with scammers. If you’ve transferred money, you can also alert your money transfer company of your situation so they can be ready for any future complaints. While it’s tough to admit that you might have been the victim of somebody’s wrongdoing, try not to be too hard on yourself. Money transfer scams are on the rise because these cons are constantly evolving. By reporting it and talking openly about your experience, you’re helping others to recognise and put a stop to them. Learn about credit card fraud and how to keep your card safe.
Frequently asked questions
No, don’t engage. You might be tempted to play sleuth, but report them instead. Keep in mind that most smart scammers have taken precautions by making themselves untraceable.
Unfortunately, most scam victims won't be able to get their money back. It becomes even harder if you've sent the money overseas, as this is out of Australian government agencies' jurisdiction. Contact your bank, as they may be able to stop a money transfer, and report the scam to the ACCC. Be wary of any follow-up scams, especially those that claim to recover your losses for a fee.
No, you are not legally obligated to pay for anything you didn’t order. If you receive a bill or harassing letters that you need to pay, let the seller know you didn’t order it. If they insist, ask for proof that you ordered the item from them. If the harassment continues, contact your local consumer protection agency.
Adrienne Fuller is the head of publishing at Finder US. With a decade of experience creating guides in finance and education, she aims to deliver the accurate and transparent information she wishes she had when she made some of life's important financial decisions. For the past 3 years she has been the publisher of money transfers, helping readers save when they send money all over the globe. She has a BA from Colorado College and loves to hike with her two Catahoula dogs around her home in San Diego. See full bio
Rosie Russell is a money transfers producer at Finder. She is on a mission to make personal finance easier to understand. Rosie has a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) and Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Technology Sydney. See full bio
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