How to Avoid Money Transfer Scams from the U.S.

Sending money to family or friends abroad is part of everyday life for many people in the U.S., and that trust is exactly what scammers try to take advantage of. This guide focuses on recognizing warning signs and building safer habits before and during a transfer — it doesn’t guarantee that a scam can never happen, but knowing what to look for can help you make more informed decisions.

If you’re new to sending money internationally in general, you can start with our complete guide to sending money from the U.S. to Latin America. Once you’ve sent a transfer, our guide on how to track a money transfer from the U.S. can also help you follow its status.

Common warning signs before sending money

Pressure to send money quickly

Scammers often create a sense of urgency, claiming that money needs to be sent right away because of an emergency or a limited-time situation. Taking a moment to pause and verify the request is a reasonable response, even when the situation is presented as urgent.

Requests to keep the transfer secret

Being asked to keep a transfer private from other family members, or to avoid mentioning it to your bank or the provider, can be a warning sign rather than a normal part of sending money.

Requests for verification codes or account access

Legitimate providers generally don’t ask you to share the verification codes sent to your phone or email, or to give someone remote access to your device or account, to complete a transfer.

Unusual payment instructions

Being asked to pay through an unusual method, to a different name than the intended recipient, or through a channel that doesn’t match the provider’s official process can be worth pausing over before proceeding.

Offers of a special exchange rate outside official channels

An offer to get a better exchange rate or lower fee by handling the transfer outside the provider’s official app or website is a common pattern worth treating with caution.

What to verify before sending

Recipient identity

Confirming your recipient’s identity directly with them, through a channel you already trust, is one of the most reliable ways to make sure the request is genuine before sending money.

Provider app or website

Using only the official app or website of the provider you intend to use, rather than a link received by text message, email, or social media, reduces the risk of ending up on a fake or imitation site.

Fee, exchange rate, and final amount

Reviewing the fee, the exchange rate, and the final amount before confirming a transfer helps you notice anything that looks unexpected or inconsistent with what the provider normally shows.

Payout method and recipient details

Double-checking the payout method and the recipient’s details — full name, account number, or pickup location — directly with that person can help prevent both mistakes and fraud.

Safer habits when sending money

Use official apps, websites, or locations

Sticking to the provider’s official app, website, or physical locations, rather than links or contacts shared through messages, is one of the more reliable habits when sending money.

Do not share verification codes

Verification codes are generally meant to confirm that you are the one completing an action on your account. Sharing them with anyone else, even someone claiming to be from the provider’s support team, can put your account at risk.

Confirm details through a separate channel

If a request to send money comes through a message, email, or call, confirming it through a separate channel — like calling the person directly using a number you already have — can help verify that it’s genuine.

Save receipts and reference numbers

Keeping your receipts and reference numbers organized after each transfer makes it easier to follow up if something doesn’t look right later.

What to do if something seems suspicious

Pause before sending

If anything about a request feels off, pausing before sending is a reasonable step, even if the situation is presented as urgent.

Check the provider’s official support channels

Reaching out to the provider through the contact information published on its official app or website, rather than a number or link provided by the person requesting the transfer, is a safer way to verify a situation.

Talk to the recipient directly

Confirming directly with your recipient, through a channel you already trust, that they actually need the transfer can help rule out impersonation attempts.

Keep screenshots and receipts

Saving screenshots of any suspicious messages, along with your transfer receipts, can be useful if you need to report the situation later.

What to do if you think you sent money to a scam

Contact the provider through official support

Reaching out to the provider’s official support as soon as possible, with your reference number, is generally the first step.

Contact your bank or card issuer if relevant

If you paid using a bank account or card, contacting your bank or card issuer directly can help you understand what options, if any, may apply to your situation.

Report suspected fraud through official channels

Reporting suspected fraud to the FTC and, if relevant, filing a complaint with the CFPB can help authorities track patterns of fraud, even though it does not guarantee that funds will be recovered.

This guide does not promise that money can be recovered, reversed, or refunded — what happens next depends on the provider, the payment method, and the specific circumstances of the transfer.

How tracking can help after a transfer

Tracking a transfer, as explained in our guide on how to track a money transfer from the U.S., can help you understand where a transfer stands and notice if something looks unusual. Tracking on its own doesn’t guarantee delivery, cancellation, correction, or recovery of funds — it’s a tool for staying informed, not a substitute for verifying a transfer before you send it.

Frequently asked questions

How can I avoid money transfer scams?

Verify the recipient, use official apps or websites, avoid pressure, never share verification codes, and review the final amount before sending. No method removes all risk.

Is it safe to send money through a money transfer app?

Reputable services may use security and compliance processes, but no method is risk-free. Use official apps or websites and avoid sharing verification codes or account access.

What are common warning signs of a money transfer scam?

Pressure to act quickly, secrecy, requests for codes, unusual payment instructions, or offers outside official channels may be warning signs.

What should I do if someone asks me to send money urgently?

Pause, verify the request directly through a separate channel, and avoid sending until you are confident the request is legitimate.

What should I do if I think I sent money to a scam?

Contact the provider through official support channels, contact your bank or card issuer if relevant, save evidence, and report suspected fraud through official channels. Recovery is not guaranteed.

Can I get my money back after a scam?

It depends on the provider, payment method, transfer status, and circumstances. Contact official support as soon as possible, but recovery is not guaranteed.

Should I share a verification code to receive or send money?

No. Verification codes are usually meant to protect your account or transaction. Do not share them with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.

Next steps

Recognizing warning signs is one part of sending money safely. For the broader picture of sending money from the U.S. to Latin America, see our complete guide to sending money from the U.S. to Latin America. If you’ve already sent a transfer, you can also learn how to track a money transfer from the U.S.. To understand what actually drives the cost of a transfer, see our guide on how much it costs to send money from the U.S. to Latin America. If you’re sending to a specific country, we also have guides on how to send money to Mexico, how to send money to Colombia, how to send money to the Dominican Republic, and how to send money to Peru. If a transfer you sent shows as pending or under review, see our guide on why a money transfer may be pending or under review.

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This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute personalized financial advice or legal advice. It does not guarantee that scams can always be avoided or that funds can be recovered. If you believe you’ve been the victim of fraud, contact your provider, your bank or card issuer, and the relevant consumer protection authorities directly.