How To Use Western Union To Send Money

In today’s world where you can send money to another person within minutes, western union still counts. I cannot begin to tell how western union has come through for me as a young working class adult. It still beats waiting one to three business days for a bank to send money to another bank on your behalf. Hence, why I will recommend to use western union to send money when necessary.

The thing with transferring money with western union is, it can be done domestically and internationally. This is what I think makes this old wire transfer service relevant in today’s world of quick electronic transfer. Now, what do you need to know about money transfer via western union?

In this article, I will talk about the three ways I usually use to send money by western union. Also, you will learn what is required of you in terms of documentation and fee. At the end, I expect you to be acquainted with western union money transfer rules.

Below is everything I want you to know about transferring money with western union.

How Do I Use Western Union For the First Time?

There are three ways you can go about sending cash via western union. You can do it through a physical location, the website and western union app. Below is how to go about it.

1. Send Money At Western Union Agents

Besides western union locations, there are stores within your cities which can do western union for you. These include Walmart and Kroger. Gas stations like Circle K help with sending cash via western union. To see the nearest western union agent close to you, follow the blue highlighted link above and put in your zip code.

So, what do you need to send a money transfer with western union at a WU agent location?

You need a government issued form of identification. Your driver’s license, passport or any other legal form of identification will suffice. Also, bring the money you want to send in cash. Be sure to include your fees too. I will talk about the fee shortly.

Additionally, you need to fill out a form which you hand over to an agent. You are going to provide the recipient’s information on this form. I talked about how to fill out a western union money order in immense detail. Read the article for more elaboration.

Once you turn in the Western Union send money form, the agent will collect your cash and fill out the order. You are given a receipt with a unique money transfer control number (MTCN). Do not throw it away. This is a tracking number just in case there is an issue with the transfer.

2. Send Money Through Western Union Online

You can send a money transfer with western union on its website. It is one of the easiest ways to send money. This is because you can do it from the comforts of your home.

You can do a money transfer with western union using the link above. Western union is currently offering $0 fee for first time transfer. Here is what I need you to do.

• Sign in or create an account as requested.
• Then, use the Send Online to prepare for sending money. Put in the details of the recipient. Also, how you would want them to receive the money.

Now with western union online money transfers, you can pay through a bank, debit or credit card. Be sure to review the information you put before submitting it. It is also the cheapest way to transfer money. This is since western union may run $0 fee offers for first timers.

3. Use the Western Union App To Send Money

You can use the western union app to send money. All I want you to do is download the app from the google or Apple Store. Then, do the following below after downloading the app:

• Login or create an account.
• Tap on send or check rate.
• Select the country you want to send the money to.
• Put the amount the recipient will receive and tap on continue.
• Select how you want the money to be received. You have three options: bank account, cash pickup and mobile wallet.
• You will be prompted to enter receiver’s information. Enter the accurate information of the receiver. This includes legal name, number or right address. Then, tap continue.
• Review information to make sure everything is correct. Then, hit submit.
• You are asked to enter your payment information. It could be debit or credit card information.

After payment, a tracking number is shown to you. Keep this number because it is needed in tracking your western union order. Also, whoever is receiving the money will need it. This is especially, if it is a cash pick up. Tell the person to take a legal form of identification with them too.

How Much Does Western Union Cost To Send Money?

How much does a western union cost, my dear reader?

Western union transfer fee depends on a few factors. This incudes the amount you are sending, the country you are sending it to and the means of payment. The higher the amount being sent, the higher the transfer fee.

For example, how much does western union charge to send $1000?

A $1000 money transfer within the United States will cost you a $132.99 fee for online transfer. Sometimes, there is a 14% discount on the fee, so you may end up paying $114.99. This fee is only for cash pick up.

However, this fee is reduced to $4.99 when the money is sent directly to a bank account, rather than being picked up. With the 14% fee discount, the fee is waived. Additionally, paying with a credit card automatically gets you a $25 fee.

If it is pay-in store transfer, there is a $60 fee for such a $1000 western union money transfer. As you can see, the fee depends on a number of factors. Personally, I would just use the western union offer I mentioned earlier, since it is currently running a $0 fee for first time customer.

Can You Use A Credit Card For Western Union?

You can use a credit card for western union. There is a fee for using a credit card to send money with western union. Do you remember when I made an example of sending $1000 within the United States?

Let us say you try to pay this amount with a credit card. It will cost you about $25 if you were to send the it to a bank account. However, a cash pick for that amount will cost you $139.99 when you pay with a credit card. With a debit card, it will cost $114.99 while a direct payment from a bank account will only cost you a $13.99 fee.

But, it will take 0 to 4 business days for the recipient to receive the money. Not sure which seems best for you, but paying with a credit card for western union money transfer will cost you some money. All the previously mentioned above are for you paying online, the fee charges for credit card payment when it is an in-store cash payment. I encourage calling the agent location first, prior to going over there.

Is Western Union A Safe Way To Send Money?

Western union is a safe way to send money to someone. The only problem with it, is it is also one of the most common wire transfer services scammers used to get people. This is because it is hard to cancel a western money transfer once it is cashed.

If you ever feel like someone has scammed you of your money through western union, you can cancel your money transfer. This is as long as the money is not cashed yet. You can read my article on how to cancel a western union money order. I elaborated the step by step process of canceling a money transfer before the other person cashes it.

On the whole, it is safe to use western union to send money. I have done it multiple times, and I have not had any issue with it yet. As long as you stick to western union money transfer rules, you will be okay. By the rules, I meant the right ways of sending cash via western union. You will be fine.