There’s a scenario that plays out all too often. Someone who has been working hard for months, who wants that money to reach their family as soon as possible, and who ends up losing everything because they trusted the wrong person. Not an unknown company or a strange promise, but someone who seemed trustworthy.
Remittance scams do exist, and they particularly affect those we care about most. That’s why knowing how to protect yourself isn’t just a formality—it’s part of supporting your loved ones from afar.
The Most Common Scams When Sending Money Abroad
Before deciding how to ship, it's a good idea to know what to avoid. These are the most common risky situations:
- Unregulated or fake platforms: There are websites and apps that mimic the appearance of legitimate services but are not authorized by any regulatory body. Money is deposited but never reaches its intended destination. Before using any platform, verify that it is registered with and supervised by an official financial authority.
- Informal money changers or «trusted contacts»: the shipping via private individuals, whether it's an acquaintance who's traveling or someone operating informally, is one of the riskiest methods. There's no registration, no tracking, and no legal recourse if something goes wrong.
- Hidden fees and inflated exchange rates: Not all scams result in losing all your money. Some simply involve overcharging without telling you. An inflated exchange rate or a fee that isn't included in the initial price can mean losing between 5% and 15% of the shipment without you even realizing it.
Urgent requests via social media or messaging apps: If someone contacts you asking you to send money urgently using an unusual method, always be wary. This is one of the most common types of fraud, even when the sender's account appears to belong to someone you know.
What Makes a Shipping Method Truly Secure
Sending money securely doesn't have to be complicated. It means knowing what to look for in the service you choose, keeping the following points in mind:
- Official regulation: Any platform or company operating in Spain that sends money abroad must be authorized by the Bank of Spain or, if it operates in the European Union, by the equivalent regulatory authority in its country of origin. It’s easy to check: the Bank of Spain itself maintains a public registry that can be consulted.
- Complete transparency regarding costs: Before confirming any shipment, you should be able to clearly see how much commission you're paying and what it's for The exchange rate is used to convert the money. If that information doesn't appear before you click «Send,» that's a red flag.
- Shipping Confirmation and Tracking: A reliable service notifies you when the money is sent and when it arrives. If you can't track the status of your shipment in real time, the service isn't transparent enough.
- Real customer service: If there's a problem, there has to be someone on the other end—a phone number, a chat, or an email address that actually gets a response. Services without accessible support are the first to disappear when something goes wrong.
How to Send Money Abroad Safely
The safest way to send money abroad today is a regulated and specialized digital platform. Compared to informal methods or traditional banking, they offer greater transparency, lower fees, real-time tracking, and specialized service for frequent senders.
It’s also important to take some basic precautions before sending money. Avoid sending cash through the mail, as it’s one of the methods with the highest risk of loss and offers almost no protection if something goes wrong. If you use a digital money transfer app or platform, make sure to complete the transaction over a secure network or using your mobile data, especially if you’re away from home. Also, always keep the transaction receipt until you’ve confirmed that the recipient has received the money successfully.
What you send deserves to arrive intact
Behind every shipment are hours of work, difficult decisions, and a lot of care. It’s not too much to ask that it arrive complete, on time, and without any surprises. It’s the least you deserve.
At Curiara We operate under regulatory oversight, with fees that are visible from the very beginning and real-time tracking of every shipment. Because those who care for others from afar deserve to do so with the peace of mind that comes from knowing their money is in good hands.
Sources Consulted
- Entities authorized to send money: Banco de España, the Registry of Payment Institutions, and electronic money institutions authorized to operate in Spain.
- International Transfers and Fees: Bank of Spain, information for bank customers on international transfers, fees, and applicable terms and conditions.
- Online Payment Security: INCIBE, recommendations on secure payment methods, data protection, and digital fraud prevention.
- Scams on Social Media, Messaging Apps, and Urgent Requests: INCIBE, Cybersecurity Resources to Identify Signs of Fraud, Phishing, Identity Theft, and Suspicious Requests for Money.
- Exchange rates and currency conversion: Bank of Spain, official currency converter, and exchange rate references.