Send money only through a company licensed in your state, and only to someone you know. U.S. Money Express Co. is licensed in 12 states, holds NMLS ID# 918711 and works with PKO Bank Polski S.A. in Poland. Money paid out to a scammer cannot be recovered.
Scammers know that Polish Americans regularly help family back home, and they take advantage of it. Their scripts are polished, and the time pressure they create pushes even careful people to act on emotion.
That is why it pays to know a few simple rules before anyone calls. Below are answers to common questions about transfer safety.
How do I check that a money transfer company is licensed in my state?
In the U.S., money transmitters operate under state licenses. U.S. Money Express Co. is licensed in 12 states: NY, NJ, CT, PA, AZ, DE, FL, IL, MA, MI, OH and WI. On its website, the company lists its license numbers for each state, for example NY DFS 100009, NJ 9700535, IL MT.0000024 and MA FT2893.
In Pennsylvania, the company is authorized by the Department of Banking to transmit money by check, draft or money order. It also holds NMLS ID# 918711. People who live in other states, such as California, cannot use its services.
Who is the company’s partner in Poland, and what rules does it follow?
The company’s main partner in Poland is PKO Bank Polski S.A. It works with banks, financial institutions and insurers, and its compliance policy is based on U.S. law: the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act and anti-money laundering (AML) rules.
For that reason, depending on the amounts and how often you send, the company may ask the sender for a driver’s license or State ID, a passport or a permanent resident card.
What does the “grandparent scam” look like?
Someone calls claiming to be a grandchild, a police officer or a lawyer. They say a family member is in an emergency, that it is urgent and that you must keep it quiet. Often they explain that they are calling from a “new number.”
Each of these signs – urgency, secrecy, an unfamiliar number – should set off alarm bells.
What other scams should I watch out for?
Fake charity drives you cannot verify, and shopping “deals.” Do not send money to sellers you have not checked out, however attractive the offer looks.
Which rules protect you from fraud?
- Send money only to people you know.
- Call back on a number you know. Hang up and call your family member on the number you normally use.
- Do not act under pressure. If you are not sure, do not send the money.
- Check the receipt before you accept it. The recipient’s details, the amount and the payout location must be correct.
- Share the transfer number only with the recipient. Together with the payout location, it is what the person collecting the money needs.
Talk about these rules with older parents, both in the U.S. and in Poland.
What should I do if I have doubts after sending a transfer?
Act right away. An online transfer can be canceled under Transfer History for at least 30 minutes after it was issued, and after that, as long as the money has not been paid out or deposited. Call 1-888-273-0828 as well. Keep in mind, though, that money paid out to a scammer cannot be recovered.
Checking the status and your receipt is also covered in our guide to sending money online.
You can ask about licensing, payout options and transfer safety at the Greenpoint office (167 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, tel. 718-349-1320), the main office in Chicago (5395 N. Milwaukee Ave, tel. 773-774-8787) or at the toll-free number 1-888-273-0828. Transfers can also be sent online at online.usmoneyexpress.com. Learn more in the U.S. Money Express Co. profile in the Polish Pages directory.
About U.S. Money Express Co. — a money transfer company operating in the USA since 1993 and in Canada since 2008. Main partner in Poland: PKO Bank Polski S.A. Licensed in: NY, NJ, CT, PA, AZ, DE, FL, IL, MA, MI, OH, WI. NMLS ID# 918711.
This guide is for informational purposes only. For current fees, exchange rates and service terms, use the U.S. Money Express Co. fee calculator or call 1-888-273-0828.
PKO Bank Polski is a trademark of its owner. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Polish Pages is not affiliated with or endorsed by these companies.
