Is MoneyGram safe? 2025 full guide

MoneyGram is a global money transfer service that lets you send funds to people within the US and in other countries. If you're considering using MoneyGram, you likely want to know if your money and personal information will be secure during the transfer.

So, how safe is MoneyGram? The short answer is that MoneyGram is very safe, but you should still exercise caution to avoid scams.

This guide covers everything you need to know about MoneyGram's security features and best practices for sending money.

Is MoneyGram safe to use?

Yes, MoneyGram is a well-established money transfer provider with many security measures in place.

The company has strong data protection protocols to keep your information safe during transactions. They don't store your credit or debit card information, and they keep all sensitive information encrypted.¹

MoneyGram also requires valid identification to complete all money orders, which helps prevent fraud and identity theft.² In the US, you can't send more than 15,000 USD per transaction without extra verification steps.¹

However, you should still stay vigilant when using MoneyGram and only send money to people you know personally or organizations you trust. Once the recipient collects your transfer, MoneyGram typically can't do anything to get it back.

What are MoneyGram's safety features?

Data protection

MoneyGram keeps your information safe by encrypting your data. They protect your details when storing them in their system, sending them across their network, or sharing them with their partners.³

You can also ask MoneyGram to delete your personal information. Just fill out their Privacy Contact Us Form and select Delete my personal information from the menu.³

Keep in mind that some laws require MoneyGram to keep certain information for a set time. If this applies to you, they'll let you know.³

Identity verification

MoneyGram checks ID for all money transfers. This step helps make sure that people are who they say they are and prevents scams.²

You'll need one of these accepted forms of ID:²

• US driver's license
• Passport
• State ID
• US military card
• Native American tribal ID
• Welfare ID
• Inmate (exit prison) ID
• Resident alien card
• Seafarer ID
• Border crossing card
• Temporary resident card
• Employment authorization card
• Mexican electoral card
• Mexican consular identification card

🚨 For transfers over 15,000 USD, you'll need to provide extra information for security reasons (in addition to standard ID).¹

Fraud prevention

Fraud happens when someone tricks you into giving away your money or personal information. MoneyGram helps customers who have been scammed and offers tips to protect yourself.

That said, MoneyGram may not be able to get your money back since transactions are typically irreversible once the recipient collects them.

If you sent money through MoneyGram because of a scam, call them right away at 1-800-926-9400 or report it through their online form.⁴

The sooner you report a scam, the better chance you have of stopping the money transfer before the recipient picks it up.

Pros and cons of MoneyGram

MoneyGram is safe, but like any service, it has pros and cons. Here's a simple breakdown.

The biggest disadvantage is the exchange rate markup.

MoneyGram makes money on currency exchange when you send funds internationally. They don't use the mid-market exchange rate. Instead, they add a markup (in addition to the regular transfer fees).²

As a result, it can be pretty expensive to use.

What’s the best way to send money internationally?

Banks are certainly one option for sending money internationally, as are services like PayPal. But the problem with banks is they can often be slow, expensive and inconvenient. Luckily, there’s a better alternative out there.

You can send money worldwide with Wise for low fees and the mid-market exchange rate. It’s easy and quick to set up a payment online, and you’re guaranteed secure transfers even when sending large sums.

Wise is a money service business (MSB) regulated by 12 international financial authorities and uses sophisticated security features to keep you and your money safe.

Open a Wise account and you can send, spend and convert between 40+ currencies whenever you need to. You can even receive money from all over the world using your own local account details.

As if all that wasn’t enough, there’s a Wise Multi-Currency Card too. For a one-time fee of just $9, you can spend in over 150 countries in the local currency. Your USD is automatically converted at the mid-market rate, for just a small conversion fee.

Open a Wise account today

💡 Need to make a business payment? With the Wise Business account, you can send up to 1,000,000 USD per transfer from licensed states.

Some key features of Wise Business include:

• Better visibility and organization of business finances; this is helpful for account reconciliations and audits
• Major local account details for a simple one-off fee to receive international payments with ease
• No monthly account fees or minimum balance requirements
• Receive payments from e-commerce platforms such as Amazon or via Stripe
• Create invoices using the free Wise invoice generator or invoice templates
• Accounting integrations, including a QuickBooks Bill Pay connection
• Signing up to Wise Business allows access to BatchTransfer which you can use to pay multiple invoices in one go.

Discover the difference between
Wise Business vs. Personal

Is the Moneygram app safe?

Yes, the MoneyGram app is safe to use. It has the same security features as MoneyGram's website and in-person services.

The app uses encryption to protect your data, and it also requires identity verification for all transfers. Plus, you can set up Touch ID or Face ID for logging in.¹

While MoneyGram is mostly safe, they did have a data breach in September 2024.⁶

This leak exposed customer names, contact info, birth dates, and some Social Security numbers. It also revealed ID documents like driver's licenses, utility bills, bank account numbers, reward program numbers, and transaction details.

This shows that even trusted money services can have security problems, so it’s essential to stay alert to keep your money safe.

Tips and tricks for avoiding scams

When using MoneyGram or any money transfer service, it's important to watch out for potential scams. Fraudsters often target money transfer users because these transactions are usually irreversible.

Here are a few tips to avoid online scams:

• Only send money to people you know and trust: Never send money to strangers, no matter how convincing their story might be

• Be suspicious of urgent requests: Scammers create false emergencies to pressure you into acting quickly

• Never send money for unexpected prizes or lottery winnings: Legitimate contests never require you to pay to claim a prize

• Ignore requests to help transfer money: These "money mule" schemes involve you in money laundering

• Report suspicious activity immediately to MoneyGram at 1-800-926-9400⁴

MoneyGram transfers are like cash. Once the money is picked up, it's very difficult to get it back. So, make sure to verify all details before confirming your transfer.

Bottom line: Is MoneyGram safe?

MoneyGram is generally safe for sending money both domestically and internationally. There are solid security measures in place to protect your data and transactions.

However, like all financial services, it's not immune to security incidents. Make sure to only send money to people you know and stay alert for common scams.

For a secure and simple way to send money internationally with low fees and no exchange rate markups, use Wise.

Sources

1. MoneyGram - Frequently Asked Questions
2. MoneyGram - Sending Money
3. MoneyGram - MoneyGram Privacy Center
4. MoneyGram - Answering frequently asked questions about fraud
5. TaxNotes - Government Argues MoneyGram Isn’t a Bank
6. MoneyGram - Notice of Data Breach
7. MoneyGram - Notice of Data Breach