How to Tell if an Email Is Really From Western Union

Western Union is a company that provides a worldwide money transferring service. Scammers claiming to be from Western Union send fake emails trying to solicit money or account information from recipients. When recipients click on the links within the suspicious emails, malicious software downloads onto the computer, which can enable hackers to steal sensitive information such as banking account and identity details and passwords. You can identify suspicious content by reading through the email and contacting Western Union to verify suspicious versus real content.

Instructions

1. Look for wording and grammatical errors or a lack of fluidity within the email, as this may indicate a fake Western Union message. Western Union emails use professional wording and do not contain confusing text or multiple errors such as inaccurate use of the English language.

2. Read the text within the email. Search for fraudulent offers or requests such as a mention of escrow services, sweepstakes, lottery or prize money and messages from a foreign official requesting to place funds in your account. These represent phishing scams that can compromise your accounts.

3. Search the email for suspicious links or requests for personal information. Western Union does not send emails containing links unless directing a person to the company's official home page. Western Union does not ask for your password, username, identification code or credit card information through email.

4. Contact Western Union at: [e-mail] to report and forward a suspicious email.

Tips & Warnings

• Western Union advises that those suspicious of fraud should contact local authorities or the Office of Consumer Affairs to report phone or email solicitation.

References

• Western Union: Online Fraud