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Sending money internationally has never been easier, but as digital payments become more popular, so do scams targeting unsuspecting senders. Fraudsters use various tactics to deceive people into transferring money, often pretending to be banks, employers, or even loved ones in distress.<\/p>
To help you stay protected, we’ve outlined some of the most common and most recent money transfer scams happening around the world and how you can avoid them.<\/p>
North America: Phishing Emails & Emergency Scams<\/h2>
On the rise in North America, phishing scams involve fake emails and texts pretending to be from your bank or a trusted company, urging you to take urgent action. These messages often contain links to fake websites designed to steal your login details.<\/p>
Another common scam is the emergency scam, where fraudsters pose as a relative or friend in distress, claiming they need immediate financial help. They might say they’ve been in an accident, lost their wallet or need urgent bail money.<\/p>
Tip:<\/strong> Always verify the sender’s identity before transferring money. Contact your bank directly if you receive an email or message about an account issue.<\/i><\/p>
South America: Money Laundering & Recruitment Scams<\/h2>
Fraudsters in South America often lure victims with \"job opportunities\" that involve handling money transfers. They ask individuals to send or receive money on behalf of others — without realising they are laundering stolen funds.<\/p>
How to stay safe: Never agree to move money for someone you don’t know. If a job sounds too good to be true, it probably is.<\/p>
Europe: Overpayment & Fake Job Scams<\/h2>
In overpayment scams, scammers send money to victims, then claim they \"accidentally\" sent too much and request a partial refund. But after the victim sends money back, the original transaction is reversed, leaving them out of pocket.<\/p>
Another common scheme in Europe is the fake job scam, where fraudsters post fake job listings that require applicants to pay a \"training fee\" or “visa processing charge.”<\/p>
Tip:<\/strong> Legitimate employers never ask for money upfront. Avoid sending refunds for overpayments — wait for the funds to fully clear before taking action.<\/i><\/p>
Africa: Lottery Scams & Advance-Fee Fraud<\/h2>
In Nigeria and other parts of Africa, lottery scams and advance-fee fraud remain common. Scammers claim you’ve won a big prize but need to pay a \"processing fee\" to receive it. Similarly, some fraudsters pretend to be officials promising inheritance payouts — if you just cover some minor costs first.<\/p>
Tip: <\/strong>If you didn’t enter a lottery, you didn’t win. Never pay upfront fees for winnings or unexpected “inheritances.”<\/i><\/p>
Asia: Investment Fraud & Crypto Scams<\/h2>
Scammers in Asia frequently target victims with fake investment opportunities. Promising \"guaranteed high returns\", fraudsters often lure people into Ponzi schemes or fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms, stealing funds once deposits are made.<\/p>
Tip:<\/strong> Always research investment platforms before sending money. If returns sound too good to be true, they probably are.<\/i><\/p>
Australia: Fake Charity & Donation Scams<\/h2>
Fake charity scams are particularly common in Australia, especially after natural disasters. Scammers pose as aid organisations, soliciting donations that never reach the intended cause. Tip: Only donate through verified charities. Check official websites before sending money.<\/p>
How to protect yourself from money transfer scams<\/h2>
No matter where you are in the world, these scams can strike when you least expect them. Here are some golden rules to keep your money safe:<\/p>
Only send money to people you know and trust.<\/li>
Be cautious of urgent or emotional requests. Scammers create a sense of panic to make you act fast.<\/li>
Verify sources before making a payment. Contact your bank, employer or the organisation directly.<\/li>
Nationwide is a building society based in the UK which has 15 million customers. Although many use it for their banking and savings, Nationwide can also be used to send money abroad.
But is it worth transferring money internationally with Nationwide given that there are specialist money transfer services that can be easier, cheaper and faster?
We’ve put together this handy blog with some key information about using Nationwide for your money transfers, including some of the pros and cons of using Nationwide to send money abroad.
This way, you can decide whether Nationwide is the right money transfer provider for you. So read on if you’re considering using Nationwide for your next transfer!
How to send money abroad with Nationwide
With Nationwide, you can choose to either go in-branch to make a transfer with the help of a Nationwide cashier, or use Nationwide’s web browser service to transfer funds to your recipient, although not via their banking app.
Check out Paysend Global Account, which lets you hold different currencies andsend money abroad from the app.
You should bear in mind that in order to send money abroad with Nationwide you’ll need to have a bank account with them. You can only send or receive money from your Nationwide current account, not your savings account.
Here are the details you’ll need to send money abroad with Nationwide:
The details of the recipient, including their name and address
Their International Bank Account Number (IBAN) or account number
The name, address and Bank Identifier Code (BIC) of the bank receiving the funds
A card reader
How much does it cost to send money abroad with Nationwide?
Send money to an EEA country using Nationwide is possible with no transfer fee, but to send money to any other country worldwide will cost you a flat fee of £20.
You’ll need to have enough in your Nationwide bank account to cover this, or the transaction won’t go through.
What are the pros and cons of sending money with Nationwide?
There are plenty of money transfer options to choose from, both online and offline, so how do you know if Nationwide is right for you?
Here are some of the pros and cons of using Nationwide for your money transfers, based on cost, speed and simplicity:
Pros:
Can be useful if you already bank with Nationwide - you won’t need to set up a new account
No limit on how much you can send
Low-cost transfers within EEA
Cons:
You can’t send money abroad using the Nationwide app
You’ll need lots of details to send money to someone in another country
Expensive if you are sending money outside of Europe
You need to be a Nationwide bank account holder to use the service
Can take longer than 4 working days for the money to be sent
Is there another option to Nationwide?
When you make a transfer, you want to find the cheapest way to send money abroad. Nationwide may not be the best option if you’re looking to reduce fees, because if you’re sending money outside of Europe Nationwide is significantly more expensive than other providers. It’s a good idea to take a look at all of the options available before making your decision about which platform you use.
Paysend Global Transfersis a fast, affordable and hassle-free money transfer app and web browser platform that lets you send money directly to bank accounts or straight to cards - all you need is the recipient’s name and card number!
Money transfers to bank accounts with Paysend have zero transfer fees, and to cards cost just £1, €1.5 or $2 (or equivalent amount). Paysend uses excellent, competitive exchange rates, so if you make international transfers with Paysend you could save yourself some money!
On the Paysend homepage you can find a useful tool to help you find out if your money transfers with Paysend are cheaper than with Nationwide. Click here to visit the homepage and get started.