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How to stay safe when sending money overseas

3 minutes read

As an expat in France, sending and receiving money internationally is a regular part of life. Whether you're transferring funds from the UK for your mortgage, receiving your pension, or paying for services in another country, you need to trust that your money and personal details are in safe hands.

One of the most common questions we hear from customers is: "How do I know a money transfer service is legitimate?" It's a perfectly reasonable question and one worth asking. When you're sharing sensitive information like your banking details, it pays to be cautious.

Here are some practical tips to help you stay safe.

Know the warning signs of a scam

No fraudulent service is going to announce itself as such, but there are some telltale signs that something isn't right:

  1. The website isn't secure. Check the URL: Does it begin with "https"? Does your browser show a closed padlock in the address bar? These indicate that the site encrypts your data. If the URL begins with "http" or you see a warning symbol, your information may not be protected. Any money transfer provider should have this as a bare minimum.
  2. There's no visible company information. A legitimate provider should have a clear "About Us" page, contact details, and transparent information about who they are and how they're regulated. If you can't find these, that's a red flag.
  3. You can't find any reviews. Look for independent reviews on sites like Trustpilot or Google. While no company is perfect, a complete absence of reviews or overwhelmingly negative feedback mentioning the word "scam" should give you pause.
  4. The deal seems too good to be true. We all want a great exchange rate, but if a provider is offering rates significantly better than everyone else, or claiming to charge absolutely no fees of any kind, it's worth asking how they're making money. If the answer isn't clear, proceed with caution.

Be careful where you share your personal information

When you're providing sensitive details - such as your bank account numbers, address, or identity documents - make sure you're doing so through secure channels.

  • Always check that the website is secure before entering any personal details (look for "https" and the padlock icon).
  • Never share sensitive information by email or social media. No reputable provider will ask you to send banking details, passwords, or identity documents through email, Facebook, Instagram, or any other social platform.
  • Be wary of unsolicited contact. If someone contacts you out of the blue - by phone, email, or message - claiming to be from your bank or transfer provider and asking for personal details, don't provide anything. Instead, contact the company directly using the details on their official website.

What to expect from a trustworthy provider

A reputable international money transfer service will:

  1. Be transparent about their fees and exchange rate margins.
  2. Be properly regulated by the relevant financial authorities.
  3. Provide a secure online platform for managing your transfers.
  4. Offer clear ways to get in touch if you have questions or concerns.
  5. Never ask you to share sensitive information through unsecured channels.

How Britline keeps your money safe

At Britline, we understand that trust is everything, especially when it comes to your money. Our International Payments Service is built with security at its core:

  • Regulated and established. The Britline International Payments Service is provided by a provider authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (for UK clients) and the Dutch Central Bank (for EEA clients), giving you the peace of mind that comes with proper regulatory oversight.
  • Secure online platform. Our online service uses encryption to protect your personal and financial data at every step.
  • Transparent and straightforward. You can see live exchange rates, understand exactly what you're paying, and track your transfers from start to finish.
  • A real team you can talk to. If something doesn't feel right, or you simply have a question, our team is here to help. We're fellow expats who understand the challenges of managing money across borders, and we're always happy to talk things through.

If you ever receive communication that claims to be from Britline but feels suspicious, don't hesitate to get in touch with us directly to verify. We'd rather you check than take any risks.

Staying safe with your international transfers doesn't have to be complicated. A little awareness goes a long way, and we're always here to help if you have any concerns.

CA Britline - the bank that speaks your language

Our friendly and bicultural team of English-speaking advisors have been helping our customers with all their banking needs in France since 1999. Most of the team have lived both in the UK and France, so they can understand what life is like both sides of the Channel.

Feel reassured that you will always have access to real people who understand you and speak your language: Contact our friendly team of English-speaking advisors who will help you set up your bank account including access to BIPS. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

 

First published: 23rd July 2026