A secure form of WU payment collected from US Embassies

I just happened to come across this on a US government web site and it was news to me.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/financial_scams/financial_scams_4554.html

If you insist on sending money, consider sending an OCS Trust instead of direct Western Union or MoneyGram. OCS Trusts are routed from Western Union through the U.S. Department of State; the funds are then deposited directly with the nearest U.S. embassy and consulate overseas for pick up by your loved one. Please call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 to verify the person’s citizenship BEFORE sending money. If the individual is not really a U.S. citizen, we cannot process the request and it may take up to one year for funds to be returned to you (minus the $30 processing fee).

In most instances it's best not to make payment at all, or to use a means other than Western Union but, in the case of scam victims who may not be open to reason, using this method at least offers a means to ultimately safeguard your funds and it also offers a means to verify the recipient's identity. There's no reason why someone shouldn't accept this option if they're a US citizen and who they claim to be.