Before You Send Money, Ask These Four Questions

June 30, 2026

A customer is processing a transaction after receiving a change in payment instructions from a vendor. The request seems legitimate. The instructions appear clear. Everything looks routine.

Maybe in your case, it’s a payment to a contractor, a wire transfer for a real estate transaction, or a request from a family member.

The details may vary, but one question remains the same: Have you verified exactly where the money is going?.

Once money is sent, recovering it can be difficult or impossible.

Whether the request comes from a vendor, contractor, business partner, family member, or someone claiming to represent a trusted organization, fraudsters often rely on people acting before they have fully verified the details.

That’s why one of the most effective fraud prevention habits is taking a moment to pause before moving funds..

Four Questions to Ask Before Sending Money

Before sending funds, consider these questions:

Was I Expecting This Request? Unexpected requests involving money deserve additional scrutiny. If a payment request arrives out of the blue, take time to confirm it independently before proceeding.
Have I Verified the Instructions? Never rely solely on information provided in an email, text message, or phone call. Use a trusted phone number or known contact to confirm payment details before sending funds.
Is Someone Creating Pressure? Urgency is one of the most common fraud tactics. The more pressure someone applies, the more important it becomes to slow down and verify the request.
Would a Second Conversation Be Helpful? A quick phone call can often prevent a costly mistake. When money is involved, a second conversation or independent confirmation is rarely a bad idea.

Fraud Red Flags

Be cautious when a request includes:

New payment instructions
Last-minute changes
Requests involving gift cards, cryptocurrency, or unusual payment methods
Pressure to act immediately
Requests to bypass normal procedures
Instructions that cannot be independently verified

While these situations are not always fraudulent, they should prompt additional verification before funds are sent.

Why a Pause Can Matter

Many successful fraud schemes rely on speed. Fraudsters want people to act before asking questions, confirming details, or seeking a second opinion.

Add simple protocols like these four questions to your normal processes as additional measures to catch fraud attempts when you’re moving too fast.

Creating a pause between receiving instructions and sending money can help reduce risk and prevent costly mistakes.

A Simple Reminder

Before sending money, take a moment to slow down.

Ask questions. Verify instructions. Confirm the details.

A few extra minutes can make a significant difference when protecting your finances or your business.

June 30, 2026