Wiring is one of the most popular ways of making money transfers to your family and loved ones. However, it can also be a breeding ground for scams of all sorts. In order to combat and alleviate the problems of fraudulent activities online, Western Union has announced that it will be offering refunds to victims who were cheated.
If you believe you are a victim of fraud, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission through their official website. In the process, it will be necessary to provide certain personal details such as a social security number. The deadline for applications is 12 February 2018.
If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible for a refund, we have provided some examples of cases to orient yourself by:
- Online fraud: You ordered something online and never received the item.
- Prize promotion or lottery scams: You were notified about having won a prize but did not receive anything.
- Impersonation scams: Someone pretended to be your friend or relative, claiming they needed money urgently.
- Advance fee loan scams: Even though you paid fees in advance, you never got a loan you were promised.
- Romance or dating scams: Someone created a fake profile on a social networking or dating site whom you sent money to.
Jason Kama, Director of Marketing at Hawaii Better Business Bureau, warned about scammers and cautioned that individuals should always ensure that the person you are making money transfers to is legitimate. The same goes for doing business with companies.
“Whenever you wire money or send money or send a gift card or anything like that, make sure you know the recipient. Know the company you are dealing with so that you can make good choices,” Kama advised.
According to Kama, one of the best ways to know when to be suspicious is when someone requests you wire the funds instead of transferring them via other means. This is the point where alarm bells should start ringing, and it may be necessary to investigate the situation further before any money is involved.