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23/02/2009

Western Union:

only for those you know

Western Union is a worldwide firm that handles money transfers. You can send cash and make payments in over 200 countries via this company all over the world. The service which Western Union offers is, however, very different from that which the Belgian banks offer.

Watch out for swindlers!

The payment service that Western Union offers is only suitable for sending cash to someone whom you know. The recipient can after all collect the money simply by showing the transfer code that the sender passed on to him. The recipient's identity is not always checked.

Swindlers are aware of the anonymous nature of the Western Union system and they know how to abuse it.

Swindlers make a sale online and then ask you to pay via Western Union. The criminals then collect the money and disappear without a trace.

Western Union offers no protection whatsoever to buyers and is not liable for this kind of fraud.

For this reason Western Union itself advises customers only to use Western Union to send money to persons you know (family, friends or acquaintances anywhere in the world).

You are therefore advised not to use Western Union to make purchases via the internet, because you do not know the recipient personally. eBay also advises its customers not to make payments via Western Union.

You can find more advice on the website of Western Union.

Use your bank for international transfers to unknown private individuals

An international transfer to an unknown private person (seller) is best done through your bank, because the money will be deposited on the seller's account, for which he will need to have presented proof of identity (when opening the account).

Use your bank or credit card for an international transfer to a professional person

You can make an international transfer to a professional person via your bank or your credit card. It is safe to pay using your credit card because you are protected in the event of fraud. The card issuer will in any case have to refund you the amount you paid in the event of fraudulent use of your card.

How can you recognise a swindler?

  • He prefers to advertise in English.
  • He uses an anonymous e-mail address like Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail.
  • He offers goods at a very low price.
  • He often offers expensive items such as mobile phones, laptops etc.
  • He prefers to make use of Western Union or a similar system.

If you want to report what appears to be a swindle or fraud on the internet, you can do this on www.ecops.be.

If you are the victim of a swindle or fraud on the internet, lodge a complaint with the police.

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