Top 9 highly cost-effective online platforms for international money transfers. Easy-to-use with instant calculation of transfer fees and final converted amount prior to confirmation. Supporting over 40 currencies in more than 70 countries, including transactions with Germany!

Click here to directly access the complete list of the top nine options.

Even though it may not appear directly relevant to travel, it can be incredibly helpful for individuals who are traveling or have family members residing abroad and require financial transfers. (I will explain later how this article can be useful for travelers and immigrants).

(Also, if you or someone you know is planning or thinking about relocating overseas, take a look at our page with 10 alternative countries to relocate to).

 

 

 

Here are some scenarios in which you might find the services of the companies mentioned below useful for sending money to other countries:

• You may need to save money on currency exchange during your upcoming trip abroad (more on this later).
• You’re enrolled in a study abroad program or studying in Germany and require financial assistance from your family in your home country.
• Your family members are living or working abroad and require your financial support, thus necessitating an international money transfer.
• You’re employed in Germany and need to send money back to your home country for personal reasons. You need to transfer funds to yourself as you reside in Germany, but your money is located in your home country.
• Your partner is employed overseas and needs to send you money.
• You need to receive payments from international suppliers or customers or make international payments (read the end of the article to learn how to avoid scams!). While traveling, you have exhausted your funds, and your family needs to send you money to help you continue your journey.
• In the unfortunate event of a robbery while traveling, you need your family to send you money to aid in your recovery.
• You earn a salary in Germany and wish to send money to your home country for investment purposes.
• You possess international accounts and need to transfer money to your home country.
• You prefer to conduct online international money transfers without the need to visit a physical bank branch.

It’s worth noting that the website options listed below are accessible to residents or citizens of any country worldwide, including Portugal, the United States, Ireland, Argentina, Spain, and many others. 

So let’s get started!

 

 

 

Important note: Official/spot exchange rate vs. retail/tourist exchange rate

In this article, we will discuss the difference between the official/commercial exchange rate and the tourism exchange rate.

Simply put, it’s always more advantageous to exchange your money at the official/commercial exchange rate or as close to it as possible, as this results in fewer losses when converting currencies. The official/commercial exchange rate is the rate used in the financial market for trading large sums of money, much like wholesale exchange rates.

Most of the companies we recommend below use the official/commercial exchange rate or something very close to it, except for a few that don’t, which we will mention.

On the other hand, the tourism exchange rate is the rate offered by airports, banks, and exchange offices when you exchange money. They use this rate because they have additional costs and want to make more money from you during the transaction. This is the least favorable exchange rate.

Therefore, it’s important to always aim to exchange currencies using the official/commercial exchange rate and NOT the retail/tourist exchange rate. We have specified which rate each company uses in the list below.

 

How to Send Money Abroad and Save Money While Traveling?

As you may know from our previous article on handling money and exchanging while traveling, using your debit, credit or prepaid card abroad while traveling results in a 6.38% IOF charge on the value of each transaction. This amounts to a significant sum of money!

The most cost-effective option would be to exchange money in your home country before traveling, buying dollars, euros, or other currencies at commercial rates from banks or exchange offices and using them while abroad. However, carrying a lot of cash while traveling is not recommended, and the quotes used by exchange brokers are tourism quotations and may not be very attractive, resulting in a loss of money.

A more affordable alternative for travelers is to use one of the options below to send money to family and friends in the countries you plan to visit during your trip. Upon arrival, you can retrieve the money in the local currency from the acquaintances who received your money from your home country.

For example, if you’re in Brazil and plan to travel to Australia, where your brother is studying, you can use one of the nine companies listed below to transfer money to your brother’s checking account. He can withdraw the money in dollars and return it to you upon your arrival in Australia. This way, you don’t have to exchange money before leaving Brazil or upon arriving in Australia.

Now, let’s explore the nine best and most cost-effective companies and websites for sending, receiving, and transferring money abroad. But first…

 

What’re the 3 ways you should NEVER send and receive money abroad?

 

#1) BANKS

Many individuals worldwide believe that utilizing a bank is a simple and cost-effective approach to send or receive money internationally. However, this is a complete fallacy!

International transfers through banks are EXPENSIVE! Banks utilize SWIFT code (or BIC) and IBAN for incoming and outgoing global wire transfers…and they will exploit you!

Typically, they impose a percentage of the total transferred amount, as well as a fee that can sometimes be nearly as much as the transfer itself…and to add insult to injury, the exchange rate they offer is terrible! Consequently, if you transfer money to another country using a bank, it is likely that you will lose a significant amount of unnecessary money.

For example, if you use an American bank to transfer money to a European bank, charges could quickly accumulate to at least $45 for a single wire transfer (plus a poor exchange rate).

Xe (one of the companies I recommend below) provides a comprehensive comparison of their rates and the rates of major banks for global wire transfers (formerly known as HiFX, which was acquired).

 

 

And this table gives you an idea of the fees charged by banks for incoming and outgoing international wire transfers…ouch!

 

 

#2) and #3) Western Union or MoneyGram

 

 

 

 

These are two of the largest money transfer companies worldwide. Unfortunately, this also implies that many people use them and unwittingly waste their money, simply because they are unaware of better alternatives.

But if so many others use Western Union and MoneyGram, why should you steer clear of them?

Because they…

• Are exorbitantly costly and charge a significant percentage of the funds you are sending (For example, MoneyGram will charge you nearly 25% of the amount you are transferring – which is $22 for a $100 transfer…an absolute ripoff!)
• Do not provide online options for sending or receiving money (you must personally visit their branch and so must the recipient) Typically use the retail/tourist exchange rate (also known as the unfavorable rate)

 

One last time, here are the 3 ways you should NOT do international transfers to Germany:

#1) Banks

#2) Western Union

#3) MoneyGram

 

 

Then what are the cheapest and most practical ways to do international money transfers?

 

    1. Wise (formerly Transferwise)

Wise (previously known as TransferWise) is a budget-friendly and user-friendly alternative for transferring money overseas. It’s the option I personally favor and frequently utilize.

To use Wise, you require a bank account in the currency of the receiving country. It does not have to be in your name, making it perfect for transferring money to relatives and acquaintances. Simply input the currency and amount you want to transfer, such as BRL to EUR, as well as the amount you want to transfer, such as BRL 1,000. Wise will provide you with the final sum in euros that the receiver will receive, including all fees, taxes, and other charges.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that Wise employs Google’s official exchange rate for BRL to EUR conversions, ensuring you receive the most favorable rate available, regardless of the transfer direction or currencies involved.

To continue, provide your information, including the recipient’s bank details, even if it’s your international account. Wise will provide you with a payment slip for transferring the amount, with no extra fees for generating the slip. You may pay the slip at a bank, even if you don’t have an account there, or pay it online using internet banking from your home.

In some instances, depending on the country of origin, you may transfer money to Wise using a local transfer, debit card, or credit card (with an additional charge for credit card transactions).

The funds will usually be credited to the recipient’s account within 1-3 business days, although this may vary depending on the location.

 

 

And notice that the currency exchange rate from Wise is pretty much the same as the official one given by Google!

 

 

Pros of using Wise for international money transfers:

• It’s the cheapest way to transfer money I’ve found– their fee is only around 0.35% of the total transfer value
• They use the official exchange rate (which is much better than the “tourist” exchange rate)
• It’s super practical – you can do everything online
• It’s cheaper and easier than sending money internationally using banks
• There isn’t a minimum transaction amount
• You can use Wise to transfer money overseas for your Business and pay suppliers or employees
• You can send money to more than 40 countries plus all the countries that use the Euro (19 in total) *
• You can receive payments worldwide

 

By the way, if you want to send money to Spain, Portugal, Ireland, or other countries that use the Euro, the process is the same. All you need is to select Euro when you begin your transfer and then put the info of the bank account in the country receiving the money.

 

*Countries that use the Euro:

Germany, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Portugal, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican, Kosovo, Montenegro.

 

Cons of using Wise for international money transfers:

• Until recently, it was not possible to send money if the person did not have a current account in the destination country of the transaction. But now, with Wise’s digital and physical cards, you can make payments directly from your account on the platform, but check availability in your region!

However, if in the country you are in this service is not yet available, an easy way to circumvent this problem is by using the checking account of someone you trust. Here in Sweden, for example, I helped a fellow Brazilian receive money here from his family in Brazil. They transferred the money to my Swedish bank account, I withdrew the money from the ATM and gave it to him.

 

Personal experience with Wise:

I’ve used Wise to send money from the United States to Brazil (which can be done with a credit card!), from the United States to Sweden, from Australia to Sweden, from Australia to Sweden, and from Sweden to the United States. It’s always worked smoothly for me! So, I’d definitely recommend it.

 

If you want to see, here’s a video explaining how Wise works:

 

 

 

    2. Xe

Xe is a well-respected platform that allows individuals to transfer money globally. Like CurrencyFair and Wise, Xe also offers this service.

Moreover, Xe is among the largest websites globally for comparing exchange rates between any two currencies, including their historical rates. This functionality is extremely beneficial in identifying whether a particular currency is appreciating or depreciating against another.

To ascertain transfer charges, you must register with them for free in advance.

It’s essential to acknowledge that Xe doesn’t provide money transfer services to specific nations. Nevertheless, it’s an outstanding alternative for individuals from other countries who want to transfer funds to and from various global locations.

 

 

PROS of using Xe for international money transfers:

• Xe does not have a minimum or maximum limit for the transfer value.
• They charge a relatively low fee to send and receive money from abroad (for example: for transfers up to 500 USD a fee of 3 USD is charged)
• They don’t charge any fees to send or exchange abroad
• They use a rate close to the official rate
• It’s super practical – you can do everything online
• You can send money to more than 26 countries plus all the countries that use the Euro

You can see which currencies they work with on their homepage here.

And you can easily sign up on Xe for free to check how much you’d save on a transfer.

 

Cons of using Xe to transfer money:

• They don’t with all currencies
• You must open an account before getting a quote for the cost of your transfer…..but it’s free to open an account and super fast
• Sometimes it costs more to transfer with Xe than with Wise or CurrencyFair because their rates aren’t always as good (you’ll have to compare for your individual transaction to see what is best)

 

My personal experience with Xe: 

Honestly, I’ve never used Xe. But I have a friend who tried using it to send money from the United States to Sweden and she said everything worked just fine and the cost was pretty good. Plus, I use them all the time to check currency exchange rates when I’m traveling overseas. 

 

 

   3. WorldRemit

WorldRemit has its headquarters in Brussels and holds full authorization from the National Bank of Belgium. With its operations spread across more than 150 countries, including Brazil, India, the UK, the US, and several European countries, WorldRemit enables transactions in over 90 currencies.

In addition to money transfers, WorldRemit offers mobile top-up services in more than 110 locations. They impose minimal service and exchange fees, and the initial international money transfer is provided free of charge.

 

 

Pros of using WorldRemit for international money transfers:

• Low fees and first free transfer
• Services available in several countries
• Cell phone recharge option

 

Cons of using WorldRemit for international transfers:

• No website in Portuguese

 

Personal experience with WorldRemit: WorldRemit really does work at low rates, so it’s worth making a quote through this site and comparing it to others on the list. Also, your first download is completely free!

 

 

   4. Remitly

Remitly is a prominent player in the worldwide money transfer industry. While it initially concentrated on serving the US market, it has now expanded its operations to several countries across the globe.

A key benefit of utilizing Remitly is its capacity to provide remote remittance services, which allows users to send money to a foreign country and have it delivered to the recipient’s preferred location in cash through their delivery service.

Furthermore, aside from its delivery service, Remitly also provides online transfers to both conventional and digital bank accounts.

 

 

Pros of using Remitly for international money transfers:

• Remittance option delivered in cash to the desired address;
• Simple and super practical interface;
• Transfer option for digital accounts.

 

Cons of using Remitly for international transfers:

• The site is not available in Portuguese;
• Compared to other companies on the list, it does not work with a large number of countries.

 

Personal experience with Remitly:

I’ve never used Remitly, but user feedback is pretty positive. This is really a great option if you need to send money to someone who is not comfortable with technology or if you need cash on hand for a trip, for example.

 

 

    5. CurrencyFair

 

 

Pros of using CurrencyFair for international money transfers:

• It’s a super cheap way to send and receive money from other countries – they only charge around 0.35% of the total value, like Wise does
• They use the official exchange rate (which is much better than the “tourist” rates banks use)
• It’s super practical – you can do everything online
• You can send funds to more than 18 countries, including those that use the Euro
• As with Wise, you can use CurrencyFair for your Business to pay suppliers or employees
• It’s cheaper and faster than doing international transfers with a bank
• There isn’t a minimum transaction amount
• Now they are also working with Indian Rupee (INR)

 

Cons of transferring money with CurrencyFair:

• It only works with about half the number of currencies Wise does

 

Personal experience with CurrencyFair:

I’ve also used CurrencyFair to send money from the United States to Sweden, and it worked just as well as Wise did.

Here’s a quick video on how to sign up for free:

 

 

And how to do a transfer with CurrencyFair:

 

 

 

6. Instarem

Instarem is a fintech company that specializes in providing global currency exchange and money transfer services. Founded in 2014 in Singapore, the firm operates across 25+ countries, leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver efficient, convenient, and cost-effective financial services to its clientele.

Instarem’s rates are highly competitive and clearly displayed for its customers. Additionally, the company offers a rewards program that allows you to earn points when you make fast and hassle-free money transfers from anywhere.

In the domain of travel insurance, Instarem offers a comprehensive suite of products that includes coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and other unforeseen incidents. Its insurance solutions are tailored to meet the specific requirements of each customer and can be conveniently purchased through the mobile app or website. Furthermore, Instarem collaborates with leading insurance providers to ensure that its clients receive the most optimal coverage.

 

 

Pros of using Instarem for international money transfers:

• The company is present in more than 25 countries, which allows it to serve a wide variety of customers around the world. In addition, the company’s geographic expansion has been constant and promising.
• Great Value: Low fees. Great exchange rates. nothing hidden
• Secure and reliable: Industry-leading technology moving $4 billion annually
• Rewards: Send money and earn points to enjoy even greater value
• Save time: skip the lines and send money quickly
• Anytime, Anywhere: Send money anywhere with our app

 

Cons of transferring money with Instarem:

• Transfer Fees and Limitations: Like any financial services company, Instarem charges money transfer fees and sets limits on transactions. This can make the company’s services less accessible to customers with lower purchasing power or who need to send large amounts of money.

 

Personal experience with Instarem:

Although I have never used Instarem, user feedback is generally very positive. This can be an excellent choice if you need to send someone money!

 

 

 

   7. Ria

Ria is a major financial services company that delivers international money transfer solutions to individuals around the world. Established in 1987, it is headquartered in the US and has a notable global presence.

Ria’s portfolio of services encompasses wire transfers, bank deposits, and bill payments. With more than 436,000 agent locations spread over 160 countries globally, it has an extensive worldwide reach.

The firm endeavors to provide secure, user-friendly, and reasonably priced money transfer options for individuals and families who need to send money to their loved ones globally.

 

 

Pros of using Ria for international money transfers:

• Ria has a global presence with over 436,000 agent locations worldwide, which makes sending and receiving money more convenient for its customers;
• Ria offers a wide range of payment options, including wire transfers, bank deposits and bill payments.

 

Cons of using Ria for international transfers:

• Ria imposes daily and monthly limits on the amount a customer can transfer, which can be an inconvenience for those who need to send large amounts of money;
• Ria may charge additional fees, depending on the destination country and the payment method selected by the customer;
• Ria may require customers to go through an identity verification process, which can be time consuming and inconvenient.

 

Personal experience with Ria:

Although I don’t have personal experience with Ria, user feedback is often highly positive. This can be an excellent option if you need to send someone money.

 

 

Bonus: Online International Money Transfer Companies

 

   Bonus 1. TransferGo

TransferGo is a reputable financial institution based in Europe that specializes in delivering international money transfer solutions to European residents and visitors seeking to send money overseas.

Their services are available in more than 60 countries worldwide, with the exception of Brazil where services are limited to customers with European bank accounts. Nevertheless, TransferGo offers a range of transfer options with competitive fees to its clients.

Clients can initiate the transfer process directly from their bank account, debit card, or credit card. They offer both swift transfers that can be completed within 30 minutes and cost-effective economic transfers that may take up to three days to process.

The transfer process is straightforward and user-friendly, making TransferGo a convenient choice for international money transfers.

When making transfers with TransferGo, you can use this code or coupon: HMSESq

 

 

Pros of using TransferGo for international money transfers:

• There are no daily limits for transfers on TransferGo
• They work with fast transfer options (for a fee of £2.99)
• They allow transfers directly from your bank account, debit card or credit card to foreign accounts
• They have a simple and practical interface to receive money from abroad

 

Cons of using TransferGo for international transfers:

• Each transfer may not exceed the $30,000.00 limit
• It is not possible to transfer money from the USA, Canada, among other countries to Brazil

 

Personal experience with TransferGo:

If you are looking for a company to transfer money from Europe to the rest of the world, this is a great option. In my experience, the whole process is done very simply and cheaply.

 

 

   Bonus 2. OFX

OFX is a major global financial institution that specializes in delivering international money transfer services to individuals and businesses. Established in Australia in 1988, the company has expanded its operations worldwide, including in Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. OFX offers highly competitive exchange rates, low transfer fees, and customized services tailored to meet each customer’s unique needs.

The company’s primary objective is to provide safe, fast, and cost-effective money transfer services with 24/7 customer support. OFX offers a range of transfer options, including wire transfers, bill payments, and recurring transfers.

OFX is an excellent choice for individuals and businesses that need to transfer significant amounts of money overseas, such as expats, international students, and companies engaged in global commerce. With a history of outstanding customer service and satisfaction, OFX is a reputable and well-known name in the international money transfer industry.

 

 

Pros of using OFX for international money transfers:

• Low transfer fees: OFX charges a low transfer fee or even no fees for transfers above a certain amount, depending on the country of origin and destination.
• Customized Services: OFX offers customized services to meet each customer’s individual needs, including scheduled transfers, wire transfer options and bill payments.
• Customer support available 24/7: OFX offers 24/7 customer support to ensure you get help whenever you need it.
• Extensive transfer options: OFX offers a wide range of transfer options, including wire transfers, bill payments and scheduled transfers, allowing you to choose the option that best suits your needs.

Cons of transferring money using OFX:

• OFX doesn’t support all currencies, so there may be some limitations on which countries or regions you can send money to.
• Also, while OFX offers competitive exchange rates, it is possible that other companies or services may offer even better rates at certain times.
• Finally, transfer processing time can take a few business days, which can be inconvenient if you need to send money urgently.

Personal experience with OFX:

Although I haven’t had the opportunity to personally use OFX’s services, user reports are often highly positive. Based on this positive review, OFX can be considered an excellent option for those who need to send someone money.

 

 

   Bonus 3. PayPal

Paypal is an online payment platform widely used for transactions with individuals and businesses. It is a popular choice for completing payments on eBay and other online merchants.

Paypal provides international money transfer services with a requirement to link a bank account to withdraw funds. However, you can use the funds in your Paypal account to make purchases at online merchants that accept Paypal payments, like eBay. Additionally, you have the option to transfer your Paypal balance to another person.

 

 

Pros of using Paypal for international transfers:

• It’s a very easy and practical way to send/receive money between almost any two people in the world
• It’s very popular
• You can use it to send/receive payments from overseas from any person that also has Paypal (since you only need an email to open an account)
• It’s super practical – you can do everything online.
• Works for people from all over the world (although you can only withdraw the money if you have a U.S. bank account)
• There’s no minimum transaction

 

Cons of using Paypal for international transfers:

• You can’t take money out of your Paypal wallet (if someone sends it to you) unless you have a bank account in the United States (otherwise, you’ll have to leave it in your Paypal account and can only use the money to buy things on websites that accept Paypal, like eBay)
• They charge a 3% fee on some transfers
• They don’t use the official exchange rate (they use the retail/tourist rate instead), so you’ll lose some money when you exchange from one currency to the other

 

Personal experience with Paypal:

I use Paypal directly to buy things on eBay and to receive payments from a few companies that only pay with Paypal. But I don’t use it for international transfers because I think the exchange rate is bad and the options above are better, so it’s up to you.

 

 

BONUS CRIPTO:

How to do international transfers using digital currency

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are a recent development in the worldwide financial industry. Despite their young age, they are rapidly gaining popularity.

One of the main benefits of using digital currencies is their capacity to enable low-cost global money transfers, unlike conventional methods. Additionally, transactions can be completed within a few minutes, regardless of the recipient’s geographic location.

 

• Coinbase (for getting digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin)

I suggest using Coinbase as a dependable platform to send money internationally using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. It is considered the largest cryptocurrency exchange globally and has earned the confidence of many.

To begin, sign up for a free Coinbase account and provide your personal details. Next, transfer funds from your bank account to your digital wallet and purchase the cryptocurrency of your choice. Coinbase offers popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.

Once you have acquired the cryptocurrency, you can send it to anyone worldwide who has a digital wallet. Simply enter their wallet address and transmit the coins through your digital wallet.

After the recipient receives the cryptocurrency, they can convert it into their local currency (such as Brazilian reais, Euros, or Dollars) and transfer it to their bank account via the Coinbase platform.

The platform is easy to use, and the process is straightforward. Additionally, if you’re interested in investing in cryptocurrencies, Coinbase is an excellent option because of its size and reputation.

 

 

 

How to invest in Bitcoins or other digital currencies

So be careful with investing in digital currencies! Don’t use money that you’ll need in short or midterm!

 

Pros of using cryptocurrency for international transfers through Coinbase:

• It’s a cheap way to send money between almost any two countries in the world
• It’s getting more and more popular
• You can use your bank account, debit card, or credit card to do the deposit into your digital wallet in Coinbase
• You can use it to receive payments from overseas from any person that has their own digital wallet (your digital wallet can be through Coinbase or any other platform that works with cryptocurrency)
• It’s very easy – you can do everything online
• There’s no minimum transaction

 

Cons of using cryptocurrency for international transfers through Coinbase:

• The value of the digital currencies still varies a lot (AKA: it’s highly volatile), so it’s possible that the amount you send may already be worth more or less by the time it arrives at the destination
• You have a pay a fee of a small percentage of the total value you deposit in Coinbase. If you use a credit card, this fee can be up to 3%
• It can take a few days for the purchase of Bitcoin to be finalized. With Ethereum and Litecoin, the buy and sell confirmation is faster
• It’s a new market and many people still don’t know how it works

 

Personal experience with Coinbase:

 

Summing up…

The 7 cheapest ways to receive, send, and transfer money abroad:

1. Wise
2. Xe
3. World Remit
4. Remitly
5. Currency Fair
6. Instarem
7. Ria
8. TransferGo
9. OFX
10. Paypal
11. Coinbase

 

In Brief….  

Just like with any significant financial decision, it’s critical to conduct your research and compare your options when it comes to sending and receiving money internationally. Taking the time to compare exchange rates, transfer fees, and other factors can significantly affect the amount of money you end up sending or receiving.

To streamline the process, you can select a particular amount, such as $500 USD, and evaluate each of the options listed above to determine which one offers you the most value in terms of the amount received. Although this may require additional time, it can ultimately help you save money and secure the best deal available.

 

Protect yourself against fraud and common scams with international money transfers!!

Use only the companies listed above to transfer money to trusted individuals or reputable companies with positive feedback. Do not transfer money to anyone you don’t know personally. Additionally, be cautious if a family member or friend sends you an urgent message requesting money but you are unable to contact them through phone, Skype, WhatsApp, or other reliable means.

 

By paying attention to strange signs like the ones below, you can tell if you’re being the victim of a scam or not….and then avoid it if you are. Think very carefully before making a transfer. If you’re not sure, don’t take the risk!

Don’t send/transfer money to people or companies:

• If you or your family/close friends don’t know them personally
• For a deposit to buy a property or a rent payment. Take note of this one because it is one of the most common scams for people that live abroad!  ONLY send them if you are personally in the city where you are renting and you have personally visited the property & met with the agent/landlord of the place that’s to be rented or purchased. Seriously, this scam is a lot more common than you think….and a lot of people who move abroad get screwed by it!
• To buy something online. You shouldn’t have to use an international transfer for this, better to use a credit card or Paypal (which have payment protections)
• From a place claiming to protect you from a virus that doesn’t accept credit cards (since all trusted antivirus companies should)
• For an emergency situation that hasn’t been confirmed by a friend or family member
• To “redeem” lottery winnings or prizes….another super common scam!
• To make charitable donations. Ask for another way to contribute…be wary of any charity asking for international money transfers
• To start working as a mystery shopper. You should never have to pay for this, it’s free!
•   To get a job….this is always a scam! Don’t pay a company to start working with them!
• For a credit card fee or loan. These fees are ALWAYS paid via your credit card and not through international money transfers

Use only the companies listed above to transfer money to trusted individuals or reputable companies with positive feedback. Do not transfer money to anyone you don’t know personally. Additionally, be cautious if a family member or friend sends you an urgent message requesting money but you are unable to contact them through phone, Skype, WhatsApp, or other reliable means.

 

Conclusion…

Planning your next trip?

 

Then don’t forget travel insurance! You don’t want to get stuck paying a ton of money and ruining your trip if you get sick or have an accident without travel insurance. WorldNomads is ideal for adventurous travelers, backpackers, or anyone looking to be protected during their trip. They cover almost every single activity you can image! Plus, you can have a 5% discount with the coupon code comfort5.

Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, we recommend Booking.com. They have a huge selection of hotels and hostels all over the world. Plus, in most cases, you can cancel your reservation up to a few days before the check-in date without any costs! 

Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at Momondo. It’s a flight aggregator that combines several other ticket search websites to make it easier for you to compare prices and make sure you are getting the best deal. 

 

And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then check out Rentalcar.com to search and compare car rental companies from all over the world in a single website. Then, you can find the cheapest price for the best car!