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Trust & Safety Center

Enhance your online safety knowledge with confidence — welcome to our Trust & Safety Center. This comprehensive resource is designed to keep you informed and empowered with expert tips, tools, and guidance to identify, report, and safeguard against scams. At Remitly, we are dedicated to helping you protect what matters most to you.

What is a scam?

A scam is a deceptive scheme intended to trick you into giving away money or personal information. An individual with harmful intent might gain your trust by pretending to be a family member, love interest, financial expert, or government official.
Person holding a smartphone in one hand and a credit card in the other.

What is the difference between a scam and fraud?

Fraud is an unauthorized transaction where the customer didn't initiate or approve it and is unaware until after the fact. This includes someone hacking your account and pretending to be you, or getting hold of your card details and using them to shop online (where they don't need the physical card). A scam is an authorized push payment where the customer is deceived into sending money they believe is legitimate like a fake online partner, someone pretending to be your bank, a fake investment or when you're pressured or threatened into paying.

Different types of scams

There are many different types of scams that can happen to anyone at any time. The below are some common scam types you should be aware of. If you believe you've been targeted by a scam involving a payment sent through Remitly, please contact Remitly here⁠ (opens in new window).

  • What is a tax scam?

    A scammer poses as a tax authority (e.g. IRS/HMRC), claiming you owe money or are owed a refund, to get you to pay or share financial details.

  • What is a romance scam?

    A scammer builds a fake online relationship to gain trust, then asks for money, often for "emergencies" or travel.

  • What is an investment scam?

    This may see a scammer convince you to "invest" in fake opportunities (crypto, real estate, stocks) promising big returns that sound too good to be true.

  • What is an ‘It’s me’ scam?

    The scammer impersonates a friend or family member (often via a spoofed or new number) claiming an urgent problem they need financial support with to pressure quick payment.

  • What is an imposter scam?

    Pretending to be someone you trust (family, employer, or a company) the scammer will try to trick you into sending money.

  • What is an internet purchase scam?

    Scammer tricks you into paying for a product or service that doesn't exist or never arrives.

  • What is an extortion scam?

    In an effort to force you to send them money, a scammer uses threats (emotional, reputational, or physical).

  • What is a job scam?

    The scammer offers a fake job (often overseas) and asks for upfront fees for training, visas, or equipment before you're paid. This can often happen with fake remote work jobs.

  • What is a customer service scam?

    Scammer poses as support staff from a company or bank to get account access or payment.

  • What is a rent scam?

    A scammer asks for a deposit on a rental property before you've seen it, to secure it "fast," then disappears.

How you can protect yourself from scams:

  • Be suspicious of unexpected communications: Scammers frequently use unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media messages claiming to be from loved ones, organizations, or businesses. Double check the email address, or search the contact details and call the company/person directly.

  • Reflect on the payment method: Scammers often demand payment via gift cards, money transfer apps, or cryptocurrency. If you're unsure whether a request is genuine, check the official website of the organisation involved, and use a URL checker⁠ (opens in new window) to ensure you’re not being directed to a fraudulent site.

  • Verify the legitimacy of who you are talking to: Scammers can make telephone numbers look legitimate, manipulate email addresses to appear real, and fake social media accounts. If you’re not sure, find the official website first and source contact information there to start communication.

  • Check your local scam resources: We have collected resources for learning about scams in your country below. Find your country and learn more from your official organizations.

  • Don’t rush, ask for help: Scammers rely on pressure tactics. If something feels off, pause, reflect, and consider consulting a trusted family member or friend before responding or sharing any information.

Report a Scam

If you suspect you may have been scammed through Remitly, our specialized team is standing by to help. Click the button below to get in touch.
Report a scam
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Submitting a scam report within Remitly does not replace your right, as a customer, to report the incident to outside authorities.

Scam resources around the world

What scam resources should I use?