A while ago, I wrote about what I think you must know about western union. As I mentioned on that article, western union is a great way of sending money to your loved ones and friends. This is especially when it involves sending money abroad. I have used it many a time to send money home, when there is a family medical emergency.
What I want you to know about WU money transfer, my good reader?
On this article, I want to talk about how western union works. This includes what you need to send money. Also, the fees western union charges to use their services. That way, you have everything ready before you send money through the service.
So, let us jump right into how western union works.
How Does Western Union Money Transfer Work
Western union lets you send money to more than 183 countries. You can do this online through the website and WU app. Additionally, you can just go to an agent location in person. This is my preferred method, since the agents give physical receipt.
The same places which cash your western union will do the transfer for you. You can simply google the nearest location to you. Maps on phones- Google or Apple Maps are good at show it.
How To Send Money Western Union Online
Alternatively, you can go to the western union website below to send money. It beats driving down to WU agent locations. This is especially when these have a queue, where you stand for awhile waiting to be attended.
Besides, you may not be charge a fee when you send money through western union online. You can money through western union right now using the affiliate link below. It takes you to western union website.
Send Money Via Western Union
Editorial Disclosure: This is an affiliate link, WeeklyBagel may earn a commission at no cost to you, if you make purchase through it. It takes you to the affiliate website.
| Current Offer | $0 fee for first time transfers |
If you decide to use the app, I want you to read How To Use Western Union To Send Money article. I did a step by step instruction on it. Personally, I recommend using the western union website link above to send money. Using the app requires creating an account with the money wire service.
Whichever way you choose, western union gives you a MTCN (tracking number) after you have sent the money. This is a number you share with the person who is going to receive the money. It is a code to confirm the person receiving the money is the right person.
Finally, be sure to check the western union form before submitting it. This is because it is hard to receive a money transfer when the recipient’s name is not the same as on a legal form of identification. I feel like I have to mention this, because western union is strict when it comes to fraud protection. So, mistakes on their forms are hard to rectify without canceling the transfer.
What Do I Need To Send Money Through Western Union?
So, what details do you need for someone to send you money?
You will need the legal name and legal address of the person. The legal address will include the city and the country you are sending money to. This is especially, when it is an international western union money transfer.
Additionally, you need to have a legal form of identification. Your driver’s license can suffice, but any other legal form of identification can do too. This is not limited to your birth certificate in case you do not have a driver’s license.
Finally, you may need the person’s preferred method of receiving the money. He or she can either get it directly into a bank account or get it in cash. Just be sure to specify it on your western union form.
Not sure how to fill out your western union form?
I talked about it on the above article. It is a guide I wrote sometime ago, which walks you through it. I recommend you read it.
Western Union Transfer Fees
Unless you decide to use the western union affiliate link above, there are western union transfer fees. There is currently a $0 fee offer right now. The offer may change whenever, since it rests on western union to make the decision.
Without such a fee waiver though, western union transfer fees depend on whether the transaction is domestic or international. The cost is not the same.
The cost varies based on where you are sending to, the amount and the receiving method. Also, the method of western union transfer depends on whether you are sending through an agent location, online or the app. I think it is best you go to the western union price estimator to see what the cost would be.
Using the above link, lets you put the address you are sending money to, select your method of payment and the amount to see the cost of money transfer. I recommend it. You get to see the fees for different amounts and places.
How Much Does Western Union Charge To Send $500?
I am going to give you an instance of how much it would cost to send $500 through western union. Let us assuming you want to send $500 to Mexico. Here are western union money transfer charges for an online method of transfer.
| How Receiver Gets the Money | Payment method: Debit card | Payment method: Credit card | Payment method: Bank account | Payment method: Pay in store | Payment method: Google pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash at WU location | $4.99 | $19.99 | $4.99 | $4.99 | $19.99 |
| Bank account | $1.99 | $16.99 | $1.99 | $4.99 | $16.99 |
| Mobile Wallet | $1.99 | $16.99 | $1.99 | n/a | $16.99 |
As you can see from above, it will cost you more to pay for the transfer with a credit card. Western union will charge you cheap, when you are paying with a debit card, bank account or cash at agent location. Paying with a debit card puts the cost at $1.99, especially when the recipient is not picking up at an agent location. The others will cost you $4.99.
Once you send the money, you can start tracking it until it is cashed. I elaborated on how to go about this on the easy approach to tracking western union order.
If you want to use the western union app to send money, it will cost a little more. Here is what I want you to know about the fee for using the app to western union money to Mexico.
| How Receiver Gets the Money | Payment method: Debit card | Payment method: Credit card | Payment method: Bank account | Payment method: Pay in store | Payment method: Google pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash at WU location | $6.99 | $21.99 | $6.99 | $4.99 | $21.99 |
| Bank Account | $2.99 | $17.99 | $1.99 | $4.99 | $17.99 |
| Mobile account | $2.99 | $17.99 | $1.99 | n/a | $17.99 |
Well, the above is all I want you to know about the typical cost. I still recommend you use the price evaluator link I mentioned earlier to go try out cost/location situations. It will show you the exact western union fee for every location, method of payment or how the receiver wants to get the money.
How Long Does Western Union Hold Money?
Western union will make your money available within few hours after transfer. Sometimes, it is very instant as long as you already have an MTCN. So, how long can money stay uncollected at Western Union??
In case of the recipient not cashing the money, western union can hold it for 90 days before returning it to you. Also, WU can place a hold on your money sometimes. This is especially in the case of suspected fraudulent cases. Not only fraudulent issues, but also typographical errors on the form you filled.
In case of errors, you can cancel your Western union transfer. If it is already cashed, it is almost impossible to get your money back. I discussed this on How To Cancel Your Western Union Order.
Anyways, that is what happens to Western Union money if not picked up. The recipient has up to 90 days to cash it. Otherwise, the sender has to call the financial service and cancel the transfer. You can also redo the transfer with the hope the recipient will pick it up within 90 days this time.
Will Western Union Refund Me if I Get Scammed?
Remember when I mentioned earlier about western union strict policy on fraudulent activities?
Well, it turns out it is easier to get a camel through the eye of a needle than get back a cashed western union transfer. No- I am not being dramatic. Once you are scammed and the money is cashed, it is hard to get it back.
But, you can still get a refund from western union.
The catch is the money must not be cashed by the time you filed for a refund. There are two ways you can go about requesting a western union refund. Firstly, you can go to an agent location and ask to fill out a refund form. Otherwise, you can go on the website to fill out a WU money order customer request online.
Finally, this will cost you a non-refundable fee. The non-refundable fee is $15. If you lose the receipt, western union will charge you $50. This is why I always encourage people to keep the receipt until the recipient cashes the money.
On the whole, this is basically how western union works. It is one of my favorite international wire services. This is because you can find it almost everywhere. It does not require much for you to use it to send money.
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