As the Christmas season approaches and many individuals prepare to send or receive money transfers, GraceKennedy Money Services (GKMS) is reminding customers of the importance of taking precautions to protect themselves from fraud and scams.

“We understand that the Christmas season is a time for giving and receiving, and we want to ensure that our customers can enjoy this time safely and securely,” said Margaret Campbell, chief operating officer at GKMS. “We encourage customers to be vigilant and follow these simple tips to protect themselves from fraud and scams.”

Tips when collecting money transfers:

• 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.  

Additional security measures

• Keep your money transfer information confidential: Do not share your money transfer tracking number (MTCN) or any other personal information with anyone you do not know and trust.

• Be wary of unsolicited emails or calls: Do not click on links or open attachments in unsolicited emails or respond to phone calls from unknown callers claiming to be from GKMS/WU.

• Report suspicious activity: If you suspect that you have been the victim of fraud or a scam, contact GKMS/WU customer service immediately at 876-926-2454 or via email at [email protected].

Extra-sweet Christmas promotion

As part of its commitment to making the holiday season even more special, GKMS, the exclusive agent for Western Union in Jamaica, announced an ongoing promotion, “More Inna 2024.”

Customers who collect two or more remittances in-store or via the GK ONE app between November 15 and December 31, stand a chance to win J$100,000  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 Campbell.