Top 9 most cost-effective online services for international money transfers. These platforms are user-friendly and offer instant calculation of shipping costs and final value after conversion, giving you the chance to confirm before transfer. They support over 40 different currencies in more than 70 countries, including Indonesia!
Access the complete list of the nine best options by clicking here.
Although it may not seem directly related to travel, this topic can be extremely useful for travelers and immigrants who need to make financial transfers to or from abroad. (I’ll explain later how this article can be beneficial for them).
(By the way, if you or someone you know is planning or interested in living abroad, be sure to check out our page with 10 alternatives for living in other countries).
Here are some scenarios where you can use the services of some of the companies that will be mentioned below to send money to other countries:
- “You are planning an international trip and would like to save money when exchanging cash (more on this will be explained later).” to
- “You are preparing for an international trip and want to save money when exchanging currencies (we’ll explain more about this later).”
- “You are doing an exchange program or studying in Indonesia and need to receive money from your family in your home country.” to
- “You are participating in an exchange program or studying in Indonesia and require financial support from your family back home.”
- “You work in Indonesia and need to send money to your family in your home country.” to
- “You are employed in Indonesia and need to transfer funds to your family residing in your home country.”
- “You need to send money to yourself as you are living in Indonesia but your money is in your home country.” to
- “You need to transfer money to yourself as you are living in Indonesia, but your funds are in your home country.”
- “Your spouse is working abroad and needs to send money back to you.” to
- “Your spouse is working overseas and needs to send you money.”
- “You need to send or receive money from international suppliers/customers.” to
- “You need to send or receive money from international suppliers or customers.”
- “You need to make an international payment (read the end of the article to learn how to avoid fraud!).” to
- “You need to initiate an international payment (read the article’s end to learn how to prevent fraud!).”
- “You’re traveling and you’ve run out of money, and your family needs to send you money to help you continue your journey.” to
- “You’re traveling and have depleted your finances. Your family needs to send you money to help you continue your trip.”
- “You’ve been the victim of theft while traveling and you need your family to send money to help you out.” to
- “You’ve been robbed while traveling and require financial assistance from your family.”
- “You are earning a salary in Indonesia and want to send money back for investments in your home country.” to
- “You are earning a salary in Indonesia and want to invest your earnings in your home country.”
- “You have international accounts and need to transfer money to your country.” to
- “You have international accounts and need to transfer funds to your country.”
- “You want to make money transfers abroad completely online, without having to physically go to a bank branch.” to
- “You want to make online international money transfers without visiting a physical bank branch.”
Remember that the website options listed below are suitable for individuals who live or are citizens of any country worldwide, including Portugal, United States, Ireland, Argentina, Spain, among others.
So let’s get started!
Important note: Official/spot exchange rate vs. retail/tourist exchange rate
Throughout this article, you will find references to the “official/commercial exchange rate” and the “tourist exchange rate”.
In essence, it is always more advantageous to exchange your money at the commercial exchange rate or the rate closest to it, as you will lose less money when converting to different currencies. This rate is used in the financial market where large sums of money are traded (think of it as “wholesale” exchange rates).
Most of the companies I recommend below use the official/commercial exchange rate or something very similar (I’ll mention when they don’t).
On the other hand, the tourist exchange rate is what you will come across when exchanging money at airports, banks, exchange offices, etc. They use the tourism exchange rate because they have more expenses and also because they want to earn more from you in the transaction. This is the worst exchange rate available.
In other words, always try to exchange currencies using the official/commercial exchange rate and NOT the retail/tourist exchange rate. We have mentioned below which rate each company uses.
How to send money abroad to save money while traveling?
As you probably already know (if you’ve read my article on how to handle money and exchange while traveling), if you use your debit, credit or prepaid card abroad while traveling, you’ll pay a 6.38% IOF tax on the value of each transaction. This can amount to a lot of money!
The cheapest option would be to exchange money in your home country before traveling (buying dollars, euros or other currencies at commercial rates) at banks or exchange offices and using them abroad. However, in addition to not being very advisable to travel with a lot of cash, the rates used by exchange brokers are the tourism rate and are not always very attractive, so you could end up losing money in the transaction.
A more cost-effective alternative for those traveling is to use one of the options below to send money to family and friends in countries you will be visiting on your trip. So, when you arrive in that country, you can retrieve the money back in the local currency from the acquaintances who received your money from your country.
For example, let’s say I’m in Brazil and planning to travel to Australia, where my brother is studying. I can use one of the 9 companies below to send money to my brother’s checking account. He will withdraw this money in dollars and then give it back to me once I arrive in Australia. That way, I don’t need to exchange money before leaving Brazil or right after arriving in Australia.
So now let’s discuss the 9 best and most cost-effective companies and websites to send, receive and transfer money abroad, but first…
What’re the 3 ways you should NEVER send and receive money abroad?
#1) BANKS
Many individuals worldwide believe that using a bank is a simple and cost-effective way of sending or receiving funds internationally. However, this assumption is far from accurate!
Sending global transfers through banks is EXPENSIVE!! Banks use SWIFT code (or BIC) and IBAN for incoming and outgoing international wire transfers…and they will exploit you!
Typically, they charge a percentage of the total transfer amount along with a fee that can sometimes be nearly as much as the transfer itself…and to make matters worse, the exchange rate they offer is terrible! So, if you transfer money to another country using a bank, you are likely to lose a significant amount of unnecessary money.
For example, if you use an American bank to transfer money to a European bank, fees could quickly add up to at least $45 for a single wire transfer (plus a terrible exchange rate).
Xe (one of the companies I recommend below) provides a comprehensive comparison of their rates and the rates of major banks for international 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 most well-known money transfer companies worldwide. Regrettably, this also indicates that numerous individuals utilize them and inadvertently squander their money because they are unaware of superior options.
But if so many other individuals use Western Union and MoneyGram, why should you avoid them?
Because they…
- Are extremely expensive and take a substantial percentage of the funds you are sending (For instance, MoneyGram will charge you almost 25% of the amount you are transferring – which is $22 for a $100 transfer…a complete ripoff!)
- Don’t offer online options for sending or receiving money (you must personally visit their branch and the recipient must do the same) 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 Indonesia:
#1) Banks
#2) Western Union
#3) MoneyGram
Then what are the cheapest and most practical ways to do international money transfers?
Here, I’ll enumerate my favored choices considering the cost and convenience of using mobile apps or the web. Nevertheless, I suggest you try out all the available options to determine which one best suits your economic requirements.
1. Wise (formerly Transferwise)
Wise, formerly known as TransferWise, is an economical and user-friendly option for international money transfers, and it’s my go-to choice. It was created by the same team that developed Skype.
To use Wise, you need to have a bank account in the currency of the country you want to send money to (Note that the account doesn’t have to be in your name, which makes it great for sending money to friends and family).
To get started, simply input the currency and amount you want to send (e.g., Brazilian real to euros) and the sum you want to transfer (e.g., R$1,000). Wise will show you the final amount the recipient will receive in euros, which includes all fees, taxes, and other expenses.
It’s important to note that Wise uses the official exchange rate provided by Google for currency conversion, so you get the best rate possible regardless of the direction of the transfer or the currencies used.
Next, enter your information and the recipient’s bank details (even if it’s your own overseas account). Wise will provide you with a bank slip to pay the transfer amount, with no additional fees for issuing the slip. You can pay the slip at a bank, even if you don’t have an account there, or online through internet banking from home.
In some cases, depending on the originating country, you can transfer funds to Wise via domestic transfer, debit card, or credit card (although using a credit card incurs an extra fee).
The funds will arrive in the recipient’s account within 1-3 days. While there are other options available, Wise is my preferred choice due to its simplicity and affordability. Nonetheless, it’s still a good idea to explore other options and find the one that suits your needs best.
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-known platform that allows individuals to transfer money internationally. Like Wise and CurrencyFair, Xe offers this type of service.
Furthermore, Xe is one of the largest websites worldwide for checking exchange rates between any two currencies, including their historical values. This feature can be extremely useful for determining whether a particular currency is appreciating or depreciating relative to another.
To determine transfer fees, you must register for a free account with them in advance.
It’s important to note that Xe does not provide money transfer services to certain countries. However, it is an excellent alternative for people of other nationalities who want to send or receive money from various countries around the world.
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 is a licensed and authorized company by the National Bank of Belgium with its headquarters situated in Brussels. They offer their services in more than 150 countries (including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Brazil, and many European countries) and support over 90 currencies.
Although they provide transfers to Brazil, it’s worth noting that WorldRemit doesn’t have a website available in Portuguese. Apart from money transfers, the company also offers mobile top-ups in over 110 destinations. They levy minimal service and exchange fees, and the initial international money transfer comes free of cost (with no fees).
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 well-known name in the international money transfer industry. While initially limited to the United States, it has now extended its services to various countries worldwide.
One of the key benefits of Remitly is its remote transfer service, which allows users to send money to a different country and have it delivered to the recipient’s preferred location in cash using their delivery service.
Apart from the delivery service, Remitly also offers online transfers to traditional or 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
CurrencyFair functions similarly to Wise, with a comparable process for transferring money.
However, CurrencyFair has a disadvantage in that it has a more limited currency coverage and does not support certain currencies, such as the Brazilian real.
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 financial technology company specializing in providing global currency exchange and money transfer services. Founded in 2014 in Singapore, the company operates in over 25 countries worldwide, using cutting-edge technology to provide its clients with efficient, convenient, and cost-effective financial services.
Instarem’s rates are highly competitive and transparently displayed for its customers. Additionally, the company offers a loyalty program that enables users to earn points for making quick and seamless money transfers from any location.
In the realm of travel insurance, Instarem provides a comprehensive range of products that cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and other unforeseen events. Its insurance solutions are customized to meet each client’s specific requirements and can be easily purchased through the mobile app or website. Furthermore, Instarem partners with top insurance providers to ensure that its customers receive the best possible 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 global company that offers convenient and reliable money transfer services to people around the world. Since its establishment in 1987, the company has rapidly expanded its international presence and is currently headquartered in the United States.
Ria’s comprehensive range of services includes wire transfers, bank deposits, and bill payments. With over 436,000 agent locations worldwide, the company has a strong presence in more than 160 countries.
Ria is committed to providing safe, easy-to-use, and cost-effective money transfer solutions to individuals and families who want to send money to their loved ones overseas.
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 well-known provider of international money transfer services for European individuals and visitors who want to send money overseas.
Although their services are accessible in more than 60 countries globally, currently, transfers to Brazil are limited to customers with European bank accounts. Nevertheless, they offer a variety of transfer options and competitive rates to their clients.
TransferGo allows customers to send money directly from their bank account, debit card, or credit card, providing them with flexibility. Customers can choose between fast transfers, which take up to 30 minutes to complete, or low-fee economic transfers, which may take up to three days to finalize.
The transfer process is straightforward and user-friendly, making TransferGo a convenient and trouble-free alternative 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 global financial institution that specializes in providing money transfer services to individuals and businesses worldwide. It was established in Australia in 1988 and has since expanded its presence to other countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. OFX offers its customers competitive exchange rates and low transfer fees, as well as personalized services tailored to their specific needs.
The company’s primary goal is to provide secure, fast, and cost-effective international money transfer services backed by 24/7 customer support. OFX offers a range of transfer options, such as wire transfers, bill payments, and recurring transfers, to cater to the diverse needs of its clients.
OFX is an ideal option for those who need to send large sums of money overseas, such as expats, foreign students, and businesses engaged in global trade. It has a proven track record of providing excellent customer service and satisfaction, making it a trustworthy and well-regarded player in the international money transfer market.
Bonus 3. PayPal
Paypal is a well-known online payment platform used for making transactions with other parties. It is commonly used for making payments on eBay and other e-commerce websites.
While Paypal does offer international money transfer services, one limitation is that you can only withdraw funds to a US bank account.
However, you can use the funds in your Paypal account to make purchases at online retailers that accept Paypal payments, or transfer your balance to another Paypal user.
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
Virtual currencies like Bitcoin are a recent alternative in the worldwide financial market. Despite being a nascent concept, their adoption is growing steadily.
A notable benefit of digital currencies is the ability to transfer money overseas with very nominal charges as opposed to conventional channels. Additionally, transactions can be processed within minutes, irrespective of the recipient’s location.
- Coinbase (for getting digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin)
I recommend considering Coinbase as a reliable platform for international money transfers using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. As the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Coinbase has established itself as a trusted name in the industry.
To get started, sign up for a free account on Coinbase and verify your identity. Then, transfer funds from your bank account to your digital wallet and purchase the cryptocurrency of your choice. Coinbase offers several popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.
Once you have acquired your desired cryptocurrency, you can easily send it to anyone worldwide who has a digital wallet. Just input the recipient’s digital wallet address and initiate the transfer from your own digital wallet.
After the recipient receives the cryptocurrency, they can sell it for their local currency, such as Reais, Euros, or Dollars, and transfer the funds to their bank account via Coinbase.
The Coinbase platform is user-friendly and the entire process is simple to navigate. Additionally, if you are interested in investing in cryptocurrencies, Coinbase is a reputable option given its size and track record.
How to invest in Bitcoins or other digital currencies
If you choose to hold onto digital currencies after purchasing them, you have the option to wait for their value to potentially increase and sell them in the future. However, it’s important to note that there is no guarantee that the currency will appreciate in value, and in fact, it can even decrease in value.
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:
On a previous occasion, I opted to use digital currencies to pay for an online purchase, as it was more cost-effective compared to using credit cards. I chose to utilize Coinbase to purchase a small amount of Bitcoins and transferred them to the online store. The process was straightforward and the transaction went smoothly.
Summing up…
The 7 cheapest ways to receive, send, and transfer money abroad:
- Wise
- Xe
- World Remit
- Remitly
- Currency Fair
- Instarem
- Ria
- TransferGo
- OFX
- Paypal
- Coinbase
In Brief….
Similar to any crucial financial decision, it’s crucial to conduct research and compare alternatives when it comes to sending and receiving money internationally. By taking the time to compare exchange rates, transfer fees, and other factors, you can significantly reduce the amount of money you pay for sending or receiving funds.
To simplify the process, you can choose a specific sum, such as $500 USD, and evaluate each of the options mentioned previously to determine which one offers the best value in terms of the amount received. Although this may require additional effort, it can ultimately assist you in saving money and securing the most favorable deal.
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…
This brings us to the end of my tutorial on making international money transfers conveniently, inexpensively, and safely. If you have any queries or apprehensions, please leave a comment in the section below, and I will try to respond as soon as possible.
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!