Plastk Blog: Credit Tips & More

Read This Guide Before Transferring Money Online

Written by Plastk Canadian Financial Education Leadership (CFEL) | Aug 6, 2022 2:00:00 PM

Image Credits: Unsplash 

Imagine having to travel an hour to give your friend back $20. Not very likely, right? 

However, you can’t also take the risk of carrying a $10k briefcase to seal your investment deal. 

It’s just not convenient! There’s too much hassle! 

Then there are online money transfers, which offer ease, security, and dependability. (Ooo, it sounds just right!)  But they can also introduce you to identity theft, fraud, and scams. 

Do you want to save yourself from online data breaches while continuing to enjoy the perks of technology? 

Do you need to know how you can transfer money online without compromising your security and privacy? 

We got you. Let’s dig in! 

 

For Immigrants

Image Credits: Pexels 

Firstly, your financial journey might differ if you are a new Canadian citizen. 

  • You might have to transfer and declare your previous assets, 
  • You might need to contact the citizenship and immigration portal to know the minimum amount of your settlement funds. 

 

You need to know all these details to ensure you can claim the damages if there’s any data breach.  

 

Money Transfer Tips For Canadian Immigrants

Remittances (international money transfers) are frequently sent by immigrants living in Canada to family or friends abroad. 

In fact, in 2020, Canadians sent almost $6.5 billion of remittances worldwide. 

Surely, if you dig deep, you can find quite a large sum of funds that couldn’t reach their receivers.  

  • Internal transfer issues 
  • Scams 
  • Online money theft 

There could be so many reasons why the remittance was transferred back or just lost. So, here are tips to ensure your secure transfer: 

 

Consider A Currency Transfer Service To Send Big Chunks!

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The safest way to send funds internationally is typically through an online transfer expert service. 

Especially when you are sending amounts up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Here are a few emerging Fintech services: 

Most of these companies are authorized by financial regulators, so they are subject to certain rules and regulations.  

2. Verify The Regulators To Avoid Scams! 

Even if you found a trusted currency transfer provider, it’s your responsibility to fact-check everything! 

  • Read their reviews on top currency transfer listicles,  
  • Ask if they offer multiple payment methods (you must avoid service providers insisting on only wire transfers!) 

You can also use an international money transfer comparison tool to know what you send and how much you can save. 

 

How To Safely Transfer Money Online? 

 

Image Credits: Unsplash 

Your primary concern when transferring money, whether you're an individual or a company, should be the security of your money

 The transfer service you select must be acknowledged, granted an authorized permit, and subject to regulation by the relevant agencies in the markets they serve. 

Alarming Things To Look For Before Sending Money 

Being cautious won’t harm you. In fact, it will only save you from it. 

Thinking about your bank service, personal information, sensitive data, bank profile, funds, and the app you use can save you from trouble. 

Moreover, you could become a victim of the following with one careless move: 

  • Identity Fraud/Theft 

The scammers might give you a confirmation call claiming to be an authorized person from your transfer service.  

Believe in secure online connection, SSL certificate, and two-step verification! 

Even if you believe in the phishing call, ask for their identity and confirm it immediately from the official website. 

That’s the first thing you should do because the internet is filled with such scamming videos! 

Bonus: Let’s watch a video to know scams to watch out for in 2022:

  • Money Scams 

The scammers may pose as employees of money transfer companies or as recipients of previous money transfers. 

The tip is to avoid sending money or disclosing your bank account information to strangers, and immediately report any suspicious conduct to the following bureaus: 

  • FTC 
  • ICCC 
  • Fraud Department 

Usually, the scammers pose as people you might have already gotten help from. So, you have to be extra ready to deal with such fraudsters. 

 

What Is The Most Secure Way To Transfer Money Online? 

 

Transferring money online has never been this easy! 

Of course, thanks to digital advancement and the latest technology, you can literally transfer funds to any part of the world.  

But, to err is human! 

Despite all the precautionary measures, one is still susceptible to fraud and scams. 

So, how can you still enjoy the ease? And what is the safest way to transfer money online? 

Here are your best options: 

 

1. Banks 

Your priority should be asking your secured credit card service provider or bank.  

 

  • You might have to visit your branch for the process, 
  • Talk to the operator for confirmation, 
  • Or simply use the app to transfer funds from your account to the other account. 

 

If you ask us, bank transfers have to be the best credit choice to send money locally. 

 

Usually, the bank or card company will call you to authorize the transfer, which makes it hard for the scammers to do anything with your money. 

 

2. Money Transfer Portals  

 

Image Credits: Pexels 

As we explained earlier in our money tips for Canadian immigrants section, online currency transfer websites can be a secure way to transfer money online. 

These services provide customers a quick, affordable, and largely secure option to send money internationally or domestically. 

  • You can use either a mobile/desktop app or, 
  • A web-based portal to carry out the transfers. 

You can save time, personal data, and money by using these companies as long as you make sure you're transferring your payments through a trusted source. 

Top Money Transfer Services:  

You can search for other services or ask your friends or relatives for recommendations. 

 

3. Money Orders 

You can also send a money order for international transfers. It might be the secure way, as the receiver must have the following data to receive the money: 

  • ID Card 
  • Sender name 
  • Money Code 

If the above-mentioned things match with the receiver's information, only then he/she will be able to get the money. 

 

However, money orders aren’t as regulated and authorized as other transfer methods so you might rethink this option. 

4 Bonus Tips To Follow 

Image Credits: Unsplash 

Banks and money transfer websites use several precautionary measures to provide customers with a secure and satisfactory experience.  

However, you must be extra careful and keep these things in your mind: 

 

1. Avoid Unsecure Websites! 

When choosing a money transfer website, you must verify the portal. Here’s how you can do it in 2 seconds: 

  • You should first verify the small “lock” symbol before the link. 
  • Secondly, check if the link has an HTTPS connection as it is far more secure and safe than an HTTP. 

You should skip any portal that doesn’t include these two, as it screams a red flag! 

 

2. Don’t Use Unstable Connections! 

The next thing you must avoid is using an unstable connection to use your bank accounts! 

  • For instance, you are in a coffee shop chilling and talking with your friends, and you all decide to chip in when the bill comes.  
  • Oops, you don’t have the cash. Never mind, you can always use the transfer app, right? Cool!  
  • Uh-huh, your data connection is poor. Good news! The restaurant offers free Wi-Fi.  

Are you thinking of using that to pay the money? No! Stop! That’s a loophole for the scammers right there to break your mobile privacy! 

See: Check Your Credit Report Regularly To Avoid Any Foreign Transaction! 

 

2. Stop Marking The “Save My Information” Box! 

Are you a shopaholic? Duh, Who isn’t? 

Do you save your information for future use? Of course, that’s convenient! 

Well, absolutely, that’s convenient for you and any other person. 

People tend to save their personal data or credit card details on the most-used online website or food delivery app. 

But, that makes all your saved data accessible to anyone with your phone. It could be stolen or simply in the hands of your kid or a new friend.  

 

3. Keep One Card For All Online Transactions! 

The safest way to send money online is using your one card for every transaction. 

The reason is it can help you avoid any data breaches on your other cards in case the information was leaked. 

Of course, you have to make sure you don’t have the same password for all your accounts! That’s the basics.  

 

Conclusion  

Sending money around the world is now quicker, more affordable, and more practical compared to a few years ago. 

However, the threats connected with online money transfers have also evolved. 

So, it is your job as a user to evaluate and compare the security of the money transfer platforms you use. Want to know more? Read the complete guide.