Beware of Money Transfer Scams: Paysend Will Never Ask You to Send Money to Receive a Transfer

Protect yourself from advance fee scams and other fraudulent activity

Understanding the Advance Fee Scam

Online money transfers have made sending and receiving funds faster and easier than ever — but they’ve also created new opportunities for scammers. One of the most common types of money transfer scams is the advance fee scam, where fraudsters ask victims to pay a small amount of money upfront to “unlock,” “verify,” or “receive” funds that don’t actually exist.

You might be told that you’ve won a prize, inherited money, or have a pending transfer waiting — but before you can receive it, you’re asked to pay a processing fee or tax. Once you send the payment, the scammer disappears.

At Paysend, we want every customer to know:
We will never ask you to send money to receive a transfer.

Common Red Flags to Be Aware Of

Spotting the warning signs early is the best way to stay safe. Here are some red flags that may indicate a scam transfer money situation:

• You receive an unexpected message saying you’ve been sent money — but you need to pay a fee first.
• The message comes from a personal email or messaging account (not an official @paysend.com address).
• The sender insists you must act quickly or risk losing the money.
• The message contains spelling mistakes, suspicious links, or vague explanations.
• You’re asked to share private details such as your card number, password, or verification code.

If any of these apply, stop immediately — and never send money to someone you don’t know or trust.

Other Common Money Transfer Scams

Scammers use many tactics to make their stories sound believable. Here are a few of the most common types:

1. Phishing and Fake Websites

Fraudsters send emails or texts pretending to be from legitimate financial services, directing you to fake websites to steal your login details.
Read more: How to Protect Yourself from Phishing Scam Emails

2. Romance Scams

Scammers build trust on dating platforms or social media, then claim to need money urgently — often for medical bills, travel, or family emergencies.

3. Investment or Job Scams

You’re promised easy money or a guaranteed return — but first, you’re asked to transfer a “deposit” or “training fee.”

4. Impersonation Scams

Fraudsters pose as family members, employers, or even company representatives. They often create a false sense of urgency to trick you into transferring money quickly.
Read more: How to Spot and Avoid the Latest Money Transfer Scams Worldwide

What to Do if You Think You’ve Been Scammed

If you believe you may have fallen victim to a money transfer scam, act quickly.

1. Stop sending any more money.
2. Contact Paysend Support immediately through the in-app chat or our Help Center.
3. Gather evidence — keep copies of messages, screenshots, and payment details.
4. Report the fraud to your local law enforcement or national fraud reporting service.

Our support team can help guide you through the next steps and investigate suspicious activity on your account.

Staying Safe with Paysend

At Paysend, protecting your transfers and personal data is our top priority. We use bank-level encryption, PCI DSS security standards, and 24/7 fraud monitoring to keep your money safe.

To help you stay informed, we regularly publish practical guides on recognizing and avoiding scams — including how to spot phishing scam emails and identifying the latest global money transfer scams.

If you ever receive a message claiming to be from Paysend that seems suspicious, remember:
Paysend will never ask you to send money to receive a transfer.

Stay alert, stay informed, and always verify before you act.

The educational materials on this site are provided for informational purposes only and do not reflect the opinions of Central Bank of Kansas City, Member FDIC. Educational materials may contain links to content on third-party websites which are provided for your convenience; please note that linked sites may have a privacy and security policy different from our own, and we cannot attest to the accuracy of information. The Central Bank of Kansas City does not guarantee nor expressly endorse any particular business, product, service, or third-party content.