Money Transfer Company Introduces Fraud Quiz and Other Interactive, Educational Content to Help Protect Consumers from Fraud

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Smart people fall for scams every day. It’s one of the reasons why Western Union commits significant resources to fighting fraud and helping consumers protect themselves from falling victim.

Don't be the next victim of fraud. Take the Western Union Fraud Quiz. (Photo: Business Wire)

As part of this effort, the company has launched a new online Consumer Protection Center to increase awareness and educate consumers about fraud. The website now provides consumers with more and better resources to help them understand fraud, identify the tricks scammers use to get people to send money, and avoid falling victim.

Additions include:

• New interactive and engaging content, including a Fraud Quiz that people can take to test their knowledge of fraud;
• More informative and educational content, including information about fraud types and money transfer “never-evers,” which are gentle reminders of things people should never do when sending money using a transfer service;
• Easy ways for people to follow our alerts and updates to stay informed; and
• Graphics and images to make the content easier to read, take in, and share.

“We’re excited to unveil our new website—consumers will find lots of useful and relevant information on it that they can use to help protect themselves and their friends and family from fraud,” said Shelley Bernhardt, Director of Consumer Protection at Western Union. “One of the coolest new features is an interactive Fraud Quiz. It’s fun and engaging but it’s also challenging. After all, scammers are sophisticated and sneaky and we want people to be vigilant about protecting themselves and their money.”

If you sent a Western Union Money Transfer^® and believe you may be a victim of fraud, call our Fraud Hotline number at (800) 448-1492.

Visit our online Consumer Protection Center for information on scams and how to protect yourself: www.westernunion.com/stopfraud. And test your knowledge of scams by taking our Fraud Quiz: www.westernunion.com/fraudquiz.

Additional information on money wiring scams is available from the Federal Trade Commission at: www.ftc.gov > Consumer Protection > Money Matters > Scam Watch > Money Wiring Scams.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. As of September 30, 2012, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of approximately 510,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2011, The Western Union Company completed 226 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $81 billion of principal between consumers, and 425 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

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Source: Western Union