<prompt> Human: Ive never made an international payment before, and I need to pay a deposit for an apartment through Western Union. I just wanted to ask a few questions about this.First of all, I understand that Western Union is a well-known, safe and certified company to do this through. However, the way it worked in this case is that I had to go on this Student Accommodation companys website, and then give them the details. There were Western Union logos and stuff around, and the emails I am getting from them are from aemail address. I just wanted to check to make sure how do I know Im not getting scammed, and that this is actually going through Western Union?Secondly, there does seem to be a weird thing about it. Apparently the way I need to do it is that I gave my details on this website, such as account number, name, address etc... I dont think it would be enough to directly charge my bank. I was then given Payment Instructions from that westernunion email address they do look like legit western union, its a pdf with Western Union logos, but someone could have just faked it maybe I dunno. In the payment instructions, apparently I need to make the payment myself through my bank, instead of them charging my bank directly. They didnt give me their account number, they gave me their SWIFT code, which I think is weird because apparently I cant make a payment within my own country using their SWIFT code, I need their account number. So I kind of dont get it. I was assuming that how it works is that Western Union organises exchanging the money from my currency GBP to the beneficiarys currency. There was a small fee which I assumed was for their service. And then what I assumed was that I need to pay my local branch of Western Union in GBP. But like I said, they didnt give me enough details to make a local payment, they gave me their SWIFT code, and IBAN number of the Student Companys bank in Switzerland. So Im a bit confused.---EDIT: Some clarification, its actually Western Union Business Solutions, didnt realise thats different, someone mentioned it in the comments.Assistant: There are so many red flags here. First of all, I understand that Western Union is a well-known, safe and certified company to do this through. Your assumption is wrong, Western Union is just a way to send someone money. Once you send it and the person picks up the money at the other location, there is nothing you can do to get it back. This is why Western Union is the preffered payment method for scammers. There were Western Union logos and stuff around,Anyone can copy and use the Western Union logo. Its illegal but hard to stop. the emails I am getting from them are from aThis is easy to do. My email address is but when I send emails it looks as if it is coming from Its some settings in Gmail or some settings in outlook or any email program. Dont ever use the from address as proof of something. Secondly, there does seem to be a weird thing about it. they do look like legit western union, its a pdf with Western Union logos, but someone could have just faked it maybe I dunnoYour instincts are probably correct, follow them.Apartment and student housing scams on the internet are prevalent. I would find one where you can use a credit card for the downpayment. It might cost more than these other deals you are seeing but if the apartment or housing was never legit then it was never a deal to begin with.Human: Yeah, its weird that the company is listed and linked to directly on the university website though.Im gonna hold off for now, it seems fishy, and tbh the fact that the instructions they sent me arent exactly valid is a problem. I dont actually have a credit card yet, Im still a student, doubt I can get one in time, so I will probably have to use my parents. Also, since this is an international payment, and I basically need to pay them in their currency, would that work through a credit card as well?  <response>: As far as I know you pay and the credit card company does the conversion. This is what happens when I travel abroad and use my american credit card. 