How to Protect Yourself from Fraud and Scams This Christmas Season
As the Christmas season approaches, many individuals prepare to send or receive money transfers. While it is a time for giving and receiving, it is also important to be aware of the potential for fraud and scams.
GraceKennedy Money Services (GKMS), the exclusive agent for Western Union in Jamaica, is reminding customers of the importance of taking precautions to protect themselves. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Ensure you know your sender/receiver: Verify the identity of the person sending or receiving the money transfer. If you are unsure of their identity, contact the sender or receiver directly to confirm the details of the transaction.
- Do not send funds to pay for goods or services you have not yet received: If you choose to send funds in exchange for goods or services, you accept the risk involved. If you do not receive the goods or services as promised, you may not be able to recover your funds.
- Do not send or receive funds on behalf of others: Sending or receiving funds on behalf of others can put you at risk of being involved in money laundering, scamming or other illegal activities. If you are asked to send or receive funds on behalf of someone else, decline the request.
- Choose to collect all or part of your money transfer on your free GK ONE Visa prepaid card. Once you have registered for GK ONE, and have received your card, you can use the MTCN to collect your transfer in the app; or when you go to our Western Union location ask them to put all or some of the transfer on the card. You can get your GK ONE card by simply downloading GK ONE app from your app store (iOS or Google Play) and follow the instructions to register.
In addition to these tips, please be wary of unsolicited emails or calls, and report any suspicious activity to GKMS/WU customer service immediately.
Additional Tips to Protect Yourself:
- Never click on links or open attachments in unsolicited emails or respond to phone calls from unknown callers claiming to be from GKMS/WU.
- Keep your money transfer information confidential:Â Do not share your money transfer tracking number (MTCN) or any other personal information with anyone you do not know and trust.
- Be aware of common scams: Be wary of emails or calls that offer you too good to be true deals, or that ask you to verify your personal information.
- Use a strong password for your GK ONE account, and never share your password with anyone else.
- Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi: If you must use public Wi-Fi, avoid accessing your online accounts like GK ONE or making money transfers over these networks.
GKMS/WU Christmas Promotion
As part of our commitment to making the holiday season even more special, we’re thrilled to announce our ongoing promotion, “More Inna 2024.” Customers who collect 2 or more remittances in-store or via the GK ONE app between November 15 and December 31, 2023, stand a chance to win $100,000 Jamaican dollars! The promotion will have 24 winners.
At GraceKennedy Money Services, we believe in not just facilitating transactions but ensuring a secure and delightful experience for our customers. This holiday season let’s work together to make every transfer a celebration,” said Margaret Campbell, Chief Operating Officer at GKMS.
For more information on how to protect yourself from fraud and scams, or to learn more about the GKMS/WU Christmas promotion, please visit our website www.gkmsonline.com or contact our customer service centre.
Thank you for choosing GraceKennedy Money Services. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season!