Money Transfer Scams: How to Avoid Them When Sending Money Home
In this guide
Quick answer: To avoid money transfer scams, never send money to someone you only know online, ignore anyone who pressures you to act quickly, use only providers you have verified with your country’s financial regulator, and keep to official apps and websites rather than links sent by message. Once a transfer is picked up or deposited it is hard to reverse, so check first, pay second.
People who send money abroad are a common target because they move money regularly and often under time pressure, when a family member needs help. Scammers know this. This guide explains the warning signs that regulators highlight, the tricks you are most likely to meet, and what to do if you think you have been caught. It is part of our complete guide to sending money home from abroad.
Warning signs that a request is a scam
The UK Financial Conduct Authority lists signs that apply to nearly every kind of financial scam:
- The contact was unexpected.
- You are pressured to act quickly, or told the offer is available only briefly.
- The reward seems unrealistic. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- You are told the opportunity is exclusive to you and should be kept secret.
- You are flattered or befriended to lower your guard.
- The contact is trying to make you feel worried or excited.
- The caller claims authority while sounding knowledgeable.
The FCA also advises to hang up or ignore messages that pressure you to act quickly, not to share bank or card details unless you are certain who you are dealing with, not to share passwords, and not to download software or apps from untrusted sources, since scammers can take control of your device.
The most common money transfer scam patterns
These are widespread patterns, not statistics from a single source. The details change, but the structure stays the same.
| Scam | How it works | How to protect yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Fake emergency | A message says a relative is in trouble and needs money now, often from a new number. | Call the person on a number you already know before sending anything. |
| Fake provider or app | A look-alike website or app takes your payment and disappears. | Get the app only from official stores and type the provider’s address yourself. |
| Overpayment | Someone sends you a cheque or payment for too much, then asks for the extra to be refunded. | Do not refund until the original payment has fully cleared. |
| Romance or friendship | An online contact builds trust, then asks for money. | Never send money to someone you have not met. |
| Job or visa fee | You are asked to pay to secure a job or visa through an agent. | Verify the agent and the employer with official sources. See how to avoid visa and job offer scams. |
| Impersonating authorities | Someone claims to be from a bank, tax office or police and demands payment. | Hang up and call the organisation using its official number. |
Check your provider before you pay
Use your regulator’s official register. In the UK, use the FCA Firm Checker, going to it directly rather than through links in emails or on company websites, and compare the firm reference number and contact details you have been given with those on the register. Scammers sometimes clone authorised firms, so use only the contact details shown on the register. Our guide on how to check a provider is licensed walks through this in more detail.
Know your rights when sending money
In the United States, federal rules for international transfers generally give you these protections:
- Providers must disclose fees, taxes, the exchange rate and the amount the recipient is expected to get before and after you pay.
- You can cancel for free within 30 minutes of paying, unless the money has already been picked up or deposited.
- You have 180 days to report a mistake, and providers generally have 90 days to investigate and tell you the results.
These rules cover errors and problems with the transfer itself; they do not guarantee that you will get your money back if you were tricked into sending it to a scammer, though other protections may apply depending on how you paid and where you live. This is also why the quote matters: see our guide on hidden fees in international money transfers.
What to do if you have been scammed
- Contact your provider or bank immediately. If you are within the cancellation window, say so.
- Stop contact with the scammer and do not send more money, even if they offer to “recover” what you lost.
- Change passwords if you shared any, and check your accounts for other activity.
- Report it. In the UK, report suspected scams to the FCA on 0800 111 6768 or through its contact form. In the US, the CFPB accepts complaints about money transfer providers.
- Keep evidence: messages, receipts, account details and screenshots.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my money back after a scam?
It depends on how you paid, where you live and how fast you act. Contact your provider or bank straight away. In the US, a free cancellation is only available within 30 minutes of paying and only if the money has not been picked up or deposited, so speed matters.
Is it safe to send money through social media contacts?
No. Use a regulated provider, and never send money to someone you only know online.
How do I know a transfer app is real?
Check that the company is on your regulator’s register and download the app from the official store. Our guide on using a transfer app for the first time shows what to check before your first payment.
Should I trust a “better rate” offered by message?
No. Unsolicited contact is the first warning sign on the FCA’s list.
Key takeaways
- Pressure, secrecy and unrealistic offers are the main red flags.
- Verify providers on the official register, going directly to the site.
- Know your cancellation window, and act fast if something is wrong.
- Report scams to the regulator or consumer agency.
Related guides
- Sending money home from abroad: the complete guide
- Is it safe to send money abroad?
- Hidden fees in international money transfers
- How to use a money transfer app for the first time
- How to avoid visa and job offer scams
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Last updated: October 2026.
Sources
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): Protect yourself from scams
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): Sending money abroad