New Civilization News: Western Union sucks    
 Western Union sucks134 comments
22 Jul 2006 @ 14:42, by Flemming Funch

Yesterday I needed to make an important payment, with money I had in my U.S. account. Without thinking it through very well, I decided that the fastest way of getting the money over here was Western Union. "Money in Minutes", you know. Had I thought it through better, I'd have realized that the easiest thing is just to ask my bank to increase my cash advance limit, and then take them out in an ATM. As I'd have to use the same cash advance limit to make a Western Union payment. But I didn't think that through at first.

So, I got my bank to make $1000 available, and went to the Western Union website, and ordered the wiring of the money. And it said it had been ordered, but before the money would be available, I'd need to call them to answer some security questions.

Now, it has been a lot in the news recently that Western Union has blocked money transfers for anybody with an Arab name, in some misguided attempt of hindering the funding of terrorists. Which sucks if you're one of the millions of innocent people named Mohammed. But that doesn't really apply to me.

But it turned out that they've implemented a new elaborate security verification scheme. Which consists of asking me questions based on what they've found in the public record about me. They asked me about 10 different multiple-choice questions. They were basically two kinds: 1. giving me a list of domain names and asking if I've registered any of them, and if so which one, or whether I just don't recognize any of them. 2. giving me a list of addresses, and asking me whether I've had any relation to them, and if so what city they're in, chosen from multiple choices, or whether I don't recognize any of them.

I own lots of domains. But yet they gave me several lists of domains I'd never heard of, which I told them. And they gave me lists of addresses I didn't recognize. Except for one, which was an address I used to have a mailbox at, 15 years ago. And then they gave me a list of 5 cities, to identify which one would go with the address. The problem was that my address at East Broadway was in Glendale, California. But the choices were "Los Angeles", "Riverside", "San Bernardino", and a couple more. I explained that to the operator, that there must be some mistake, the address I recognized was in Glendale, and not in any of those, but if I had to choose one of them, the closest would be Los Angeles.

So, then after all 10 questions like that, he informs me that, sorry, but I don't pass the Western Union expanded security requirements. Which, obviously, are screwed up somehow. Essentially they take the kind of stuff that is in one's credit record, or in domain registrations, and if there's anything that happens to be a bit incorrect, or wrong, or one doesn't remember one's address of 15 years ago, one is out of luck.

Now, the problem is also that they already took my money. I.e. they charged a $1000 cash advance from my account when I ordered the money transfer, which registered on my account immediately. And now the guy says he'll cancel the transaction, but that it is no concern of his how and when my bank responds to that.

A call to my bank, after they opened a number of hours later, reveals that all they see is that I spent $1000 with Western Union, and if anything would be reversed, they'd estimate that it might take 2 or 3 business days. Which in itself is ridiculous, of course. If you can do an instant subtraction, you can of course just as easily do an instant addition. But that is often not how banks work. I can spend my money instantly, but if, say, I do a wire transfer between countries, it takes 5-7 business days. There's no good excuse for that, of course. Anyway, in this case the problem is that my $1000 instead of being transferred "in minutes" got locked up for a few days, and I've already spent my maximum cash advance limit for the day, and despite that there were more money in my account, there was no way of getting at them that day. Oh, I could have gone and bought a huge dinner with it, and VISA would have charged it instantly, but that's a different matter.

So, what sucks? Well, Western Union is really cumbersome, has a dysfunctional set of security requirements, and operators who's job it seems to be to give you a hard time, rather than helping you. And if they don't want your transaction, they keep your money for several days more anyway. Which might well be because the banking system sucks.

[< Back] [New Civilization News]

Category:  

134 comments

24 Jul 2006 @ 03:36 by Lois @138.88.148.37 : Western Union does indeed Suck
I support missions and penpals in Africa, and have transferred amounts as much as up to $4000 or more. I got questioned as if they were gustapo, and then after I explained to them what transfer was for. They still stopped transfer at point of delivery and asked that I call FBI and explain to them. I complied and sent answers. They still would not allow it to go. There was no terrorism involved. I am not an ex-offender and don't like being treated as one. It was not for drugs. I simply refused to send them another explanation. I will never use them again for anything.  

27 Aug 2006 @ 04:53 by steve lipshitz @68.154.153.143 : w.u sucks
tried something similar with my credit card. tried to send 553$ to the philippines and got the 3rd degree. they ended up charging my credit card the monies and afterthat said they were putting an "authorization hold "on the transaction and told me "they didnt do business like that" i think they thought it could have been gambling related. i was floored. they said they would cotact my credit card in 24 hours and tell them the charge didnt go thru (yea right) and my card would be credited the full amount. unbelievable. interested to see how this one plays out. done with w. u. what a screwjob  

31 Aug 2006 @ 21:22 by Me too... @165.154.46.146 : Western Union so-called 'Security'
Me too. I was sending some money to the Philippines to fund terrorism, or maybe it was to help pay my wife's relative's medical bills... ...It must have been one or the other (note to morons - that's a joke).

I got the stupidest-excuse for a security questioning that I'd ever experienced.

The hapless operator went away for at least 6 or 7 minutes and then came back and started asking stupid questions. Said my telephone number didn't match my address (it does, and has since forever). After some back and forth she agreed to allow the transaction. I told her that her "Public Records" weren't worth a heap of dung at a pig farm.

Security that is so darn stupid does nothing for anyone. All it does is piss-off honest (non-terrorist) people. What is the freaking point of it all?

Other issues with Western Union:

No humans in the 1-800 system. None at all. Not even one.

Webpage makes math errors and mixes up currencies.

Complaint form on the Contact Us is totally ignored.

PS: I've got all these complaints documented.  

2 Sep 2006 @ 18:47 by Richard Marquart @68.99.130.160 : Western Union SUCKS,WTF, Send the MONEY
I have been sending money to China for the last 6 months buying NFL apperal and haning it shipped here to the States. Everything has been working just fine except for this last money transfer. I tried to send 1160.00USD and my receiver told me he could not pickup the money. It turns out I have been "Flagged", is what they called it; and am never allowed to use western union services again is what their security support told me. WTF Chuck? While on the phone with security support they would not tell me why I was flagged, only I could never use their services again. After repeated attempts to find out what I have done wrong they told me I could write a letter to their office and they would respond in writing. They told me they couldn't tell me what was wrong because it would be a breach of security! OK. I smell B.S.
I stand behind our country in the fight against terror, but this is complete B.S.
If you have any stories please post them to let people know what CRAP this situation is.  

5 Sep 2006 @ 21:22 by John Chris @65.8.28.140 : SAME HERE
I experience exactly the same thing. A friend had an emergency in Santo Domingo (was mugged and had no money even to eat). I tried sending money and after all the security questions the transaction was denied. Basically told to go to a local retailer to send the money. But now I was screwed because the money was placed on a hold and it would take 3-5 business days to be released.
I explained my situation to them and it was like talking to a brickwall.. Basically treated like human garbage.
I have used them in the past atleast over 10 times. The agents response was that NO! I have never used them. They refused to offer any kind of assistance whatsoever. I had to call my bank and the agent was nice enough to place a conference call to their accounting department to release the hold on the funds. You cant even complain on their CONTACT US link on their site!! The text box doesnt allow enough characters. It saddens me to see how others in here have experience similar problems. But I hope more and more people read this so others can see how WESTERN UNION conducts business.  

2 Oct 2006 @ 19:02 by russell @12.0.177.36 : Western Union
What a hassle. The web based transfer, includes an address book.
But guess what, the fields it stores the names in are long enough
For any normal Spanish surname. So it cuts the name off without warning.
Not a bib problem if you catch the mistake. But is was a big problem for my recipient.
She had to travel a long way to make the pickup, and them could not receive the
Money because the middle name was missing two letters.
She instant messengeedr me, from an internet café. (only 5 blocks away) And I was able to correct the problem in less than one hour, unfortunately the delay caused my friend to travel (walking mostly) home after dark. Very scary when anyone seeing you leave the Western Union office, would know you are carrying money.  

7 Oct 2006 @ 10:06 by Little Dragon @74.114.149.248 : Western Union Sucks
Western Union Sucks. THE WESTERN UNION WEBSITE SHOULD BE TAKEN DOWN. They should have a disclaimer on their site before sending "instant" money online, saying that you should be careful, there is a security system in place that will most likely decline you from sending any money, YET will still tie up your money up due to authorization holds for "upto 15 days".
Why can't they attempt their stupid verification process BEFORE putting a hold on your credit card? People send money via western union and pay this rediculous FEE for this reason: it's fast and convenient. Tieing up people's money like this is BULLSHIT. IT DEFEATS THE VERY PURPOSE OF USING WESTERN UNION IN THE FIRST PLACE. Sadly, some people, including myself, learn the hard way: NEVER USE WESTERN UNION'S WEBSITE TO "INSTANTLY" SEND MONEY.
Send your money instantly. Yeah right. Instantly into a black hole, that is.  

28 Oct 2006 @ 14:50 by statesmc @72.255.1.46 : Western Union Sucks!!!!
You are so right. I am just a normal American who tried to send money to a friend the other day, from state to state, and they refused after I answered every single question and verified to them who I was. I urge everyone on this website to go to craigslist.com, go to rants and raves and tell everyone what you think of Western Union. Also write their CEO/PRESIDENT and tell her what you think:
Christina A. Gold
CEO/President Corporate Headquarters
P.O Box 6992 G
Greenwood Village Colorado
80155-6992  

9 Nov 2006 @ 05:50 by Elizabeth Reyes @67.10.222.129 : Western Union
How can they submit a transaction to your bank then decide that you dont meet the criteria and reject the transfer. That is what happened to me, I submitted a request online and they declined the transfer after they put the funds on hold in my account, so the money that was needed in an emergency was not available. and they would not contact my bank to confirm that the online transaction was declined, the response was I have to wait 2-3 days for the
funds to become available, so much for emergency cash.....Is there a way to complain about this type of service?  

9 Nov 2006 @ 17:02 by Mak @205.160.53.142 : Agreed!
Wow worst customer experience ever with western union online.... What a bunch of idiots whoever deigned that system. I'm thinking of a law suite to get their attention  

18 Nov 2006 @ 04:06 by Johnny Delgado @172.163.223.115 : WESTERNUNION is making Money out of it!
That is exactly what happend to me!
i tried to do westerunion.com but i failed to pass thier stupid verification system (which i dunno where that freakin stupid information about me came from.)
i cant get money from my creditcard because my maximum cash advance limit have already been reached without ME having the money :S
F****ng Westernunion! i think they have rolled over my hard-earned money to investments that profits them b4 returning it back to my account after 3days :S
they should be SUED!!!  

3 Dec 2006 @ 02:18 by Alisha @70.46.24.2 : Happened to me too....
I'm so sad to see that this is normal procedure for Western Union. My niece was vacationing in Jamaica and had an asthma attack. She had never had this before and went to a local hospital. The problem is, there you have to pay for services before you can be treated. She called me from the hospital barely able to breath and I went online to Western Union.com. I sent my last $150.00 on my bank debit card. Well, they canceled the transaction because of some stupid verification error. It was a Saturday and there was nothing I could do but go around and beg for some money to send at the local agent. It was Craaaaaazy and they are lucky my niece is okay. I will never use them again!  

6 Dec 2006 @ 09:45 by Sklyer @70.68.66.136 : SAME THING!!!
I tired to Western Union money to someone in CHINA a month ago. I didn't realize how shitty Western Union was online, so i transfered about 500 usd with my credit card to them online. And then i call them declined cause I told them i didn't know the person personally. I try again then ext day not knowing that i would still be in their system and so i called them again and they declined me again. No biggie i just get my buddy to do it. So a couple days later i check my credit card bill and there in two seperate paymnets were my Western Union transaction totalling 1000 USD. So i call up my visa and they tell me i should give Western Union a call, i call up Western Union and ask them about it and they say it's not their fault it's my banks fault for not refunding me the money right away. I spend an hour trying to get her to admit it was Western Unions fault but failed. So i called up my bank again and finally got someone who know something about this. Turns out it was Western Unions fault and that the money was going to be credit to me ( it took over 2 weeks) but due to the fact that Western Union is slow as fuck to refund it right away i was in limbo and was out of possibly 1000 usd. FUCK WESTERN UNION AND THEIR RETARDED FEE's  

7 Dec 2006 @ 00:07 by WU is a piece of shit @216.165.227.190 : FUCK WU
my dad transfered money to US from indonesia in the amount of 3500. A few days after depositing the check, my mom finds out that her account has been frozen because of fraudulent check. The bank cannot verify the check that was made by western union. Actually it was 4 checks. My bank tells me to call WU and ask them for a letter. The WU tells me to tell the bank to call them. And finally, the fraud department says that WU needs to write a letter saying the check is fine. I called WU about the checks, although they say it is fine, they still cannot send a letter saying so to my bank. I am currently still in the middle of this problem. I dont know why the checks cannot be cleared. My account is blocked and if i cannot get a letter from WU, my account will be closed and I wont be able to re open a new account.  

9 Dec 2006 @ 07:45 by Glitter @75.35.1.226 : Western Union sucks for sure
Had I known, I could not have spoiled my evening by going to western union online service... After provided control number and money taken from my bank account, I received a notification to call customer service. As everyone else, was appalled by the phone customer service representative, supervisor, and online system. Where are the brains of Western Union to have such poorly drafted questions? Walmart and other wire transfer services should push them out of business. I was asked many questions than what DMV, my banks, Uncle Sam, car dealer, real estate agent, and/or employer request from me. Buying a million dollar house does not generate such non-ending, time-consuming and frustrating verification questions. Wake up Western Union and smell the coffee. What is this questioning ABOUT? Uncle Sam on my tax preparation does not ask me all my past addresses, counties I HAVE lived, initials of people I have sent money in the past, security questions, social security numbers... Then what is left to prove for a mere $346 transaction? How are customers protected when Western Union employers have access to all personal information? And every time, I verified when the game is gonna end, only to be told the transaction will be cancelled. Stop intimidating customers.

They already took out the money from my bank account to earn some interest  

9 Dec 2006 @ 17:41 by mrs .linda ogechi owoh @213.255.201.52 : urgent anttention needed
i'm a member of the british council in nigeria and i love the passion for helping the poor woman especially.the widdow woman in my country who have too under go pains and sufferings?in other to make their childern go too school and so on .
so have take it up on my own too set up a non goverment organsiation.called helping the woman in need(h.w.n)and my loveing husband has being a good support in the project .but i still the some money to make the organsiaton a remakable one for all women of problems.
so the amount is 4,000 pounds to be send through the western union money transfer in the next two days from now location is nigeria and my name are mrs.linda ogechi owoh. ceo founder of helping the woman in need (h.w.n) thanks i await your responce to my request, kind regards .
(mrs.)linda o. owoh  

9 Dec 2006 @ 18:16 by ming : Nigerian Scam
Hm, I didn't expect to see Nigerian 419 scams here.  

15 Dec 2006 @ 01:02 by nicolette stepro @172.162.196.187 : western union refuses e-bay
Jesus frakking christ. paypal doesn't do rmb, bookmoneysomething or other doesn't mastercard or discover, bank transfer costs 49, and western union are bunch of apparant frak-ups! what is the frakking deal here?  

18 Dec 2006 @ 16:57 by Derrick @68.35.41.154 : Waiting for Refund
Hmmm, somewhat disheartening to see that I'm not the only one who's had problems with the BUMS at Western Union. I sent $100 on 12/7 to my mother using the website. Everything was fine until my mom called to say she lost her ID. I then had to cancel the website transaction and send her $100 in person so she could pick up via test question instead of using her ID. Well, they say that they canceled the transaction and processed a refund. According to both them and my bank that should result in me seeing the money back in my account (less the $20 fee of course :( ) in 1-3 business days. Well, here we are at 12/18 and I've still not seen SQUAT in terms of a refund. And multiple exhausting calls have produced absolutely NO results. This little incident has made it an absolute certainty that I will NEVER, EEEEEEVVVEEERRRRRR use Western Union again!  

18 Dec 2006 @ 18:57 by markus @66.244.207.114 : Western Union
Same story. Tries to send a few dollars to a friend overseas and western union agent said that I did not meet their secuirty requirements. WTF. I am harmless and have never broken the law before. Asked why, and got the third degree. They had the nerve to charge my card before I "didnt" pass their secuirty requirements which we are not allowed to know about. Is this legit. Please respond. Cheers!!  

22 Dec 2006 @ 19:37 by Terry @75.5.85.26 : Western Union has serious problems
Thanks everyone for your comments about Western Union. I agree they are not worth much when their primary business function is money handling and they screw it up. Makes you wonder how secure your account infromation is (including your CC number). For me, I will not send complaints to WU. This would give them an opportunity to attempt correction of their messed up system. Instead, I have chosen to use a different and possibly better service. I used "MoneyGram Intrernational" and was able to created an account and send an international transfer in less than 30 minutes. If you truely want WU out of business, then don't use them. They have lost my business permanently. Anyway, good luck to everyone in getting your transfers completed successfully. Happy Holidays, Terry  

6 Jan 2007 @ 15:46 by Souj @24.3.98.12 : Western Union Sucks
Today for the first time in my life I tried transferring some of my hard earned money to my brother in Dubai for his expenses.I was with the rep on phone for 45 mins and he took all kinds of info to say "Sorry" at the end.Giving no reason for the failure of the transaction.But to my shock I saw an immediate charge on my credit card.Called WU again, they say it would take 24-72 hrs to reverse this amount.Nor I can transfer again till this hold is reversed on my Card.How ridiculoous...
Thought of doing something in minutes,ended up in S.  

24 Jan 2007 @ 11:33 by Terry Chatfield @216.197.128.150 : Western Union website is having troubles
I have sent money many times to my wife in the Philippines using their website. It had always went smoothly, until now. Do the usual thing, and it comes back denied, call this number. I checked my credit card online, the transaction had already been temporarily authorized, twice! I call the number, this ignorant woman says that the transaction didn't meet their business model. I asked what was the problem, she said "I can't tell you" I asked where I could read about the business model, she said "That information is not available" Told her that the transaction had already been put on my card twice, she said "it will be canceled and you will see a refund in 2 days" Yeah right, more like 10 days. Then I call Western Union's standard send money over the phone number, and they process the transaction without a peep, of course for about twice the service fees in comparison to the web site. I am never using them again. I am checking out some other services, like Xoom and Philsend. They will deposit directly into my wife's account, for less fees. Sounds good, will have to see about timeliness and stuff.  

24 Jan 2007 @ 20:05 by josh @66.245.33.249 : Bull shit
Yeah i tried to send 50 bucks and didn't pass their fucking requirements. what a joke. 50 fucking bucks.  

12 Feb 2007 @ 21:27 by Katie @65.41.82.74 : Different point of view..
Someone stole my debit card number and tried to transfer $550 from my bank account to someone in Chile. I'm in the process of trying to clear the mess up now and when I spoke to Western Union they canceled the transaction because the person didn't answer the security correctly..so in my circumstances I am extremely grateful for this security feature!  

12 Feb 2007 @ 21:56 by francis @70.43.7.54 : More like 'Western Seperation"
Another one bites the dust, only this time I'm the victim ... Even ebay seems a "safer" place to do online transactions after the mess Western Union put me through. They are quick to debit slow to credit and have some weired security policy which no one seems to pass :-(

You're better off sending money using alternative means ...  

13 Feb 2007 @ 19:19 by Patty M Rowe @189.145.110.122 : think both sides!!!!!!!!!
I´ve read all your complains about WU service, but You don´t undestand how important is this verification process WU has. I have taked tons of calls of people almost crying because some bastard stole money from their credit cards, making it sent to nigeria, or italy or united kingdom, I had to tell Sorry Miss, but the money was already transfered and they have already stolen your money!!! That REALLY SUCKS, I am obviusly a WU operator, and I do apologize for all the inconviniences you have experienced, but you´d better think that all you´ve been trough is better, that getting robbed!!! unfortunatly we can not see customers by their faces and check their IDs or if they are or not the real cardholders... so that is the only way we can try to help you withouh jeopardizing your own security. .. you shoud think it both sides!!!!!... so...
Thank you for choosing Western Union and have a nice day!!!!!!!  

14 Feb 2007 @ 00:52 by ming : A nice day
My beef is not primarily with having a verification system, even a faulty one. If it were made quite clear that I might or might not be approved to make a transfer, and if I weren't charged before I was approved, the worst that can happen is that I waste some time. It is fraudulent to take somebody's money, which might well be all that I have, and which might be needed by a relative for a dire emergency, like, right now, today, and without any prior warning keeping them for a week or two, without providing any service. That is totally unnecessary and has nothing to do with protecting users from anything.

I'd guess that if somebody looked into it, it probably is illegal, or violates agreements with credit card companies. If I order a product online, the vendor can only charge my card on the day they're shipping it. They can not charge my card, then discover that they don't have the product and never will, or that they don't like me, and then take two weeks to pay me back. Imagine that. Who's given Western Union a license to borrow people's money under false pretenses?  

16 Feb 2007 @ 10:42 by Zino @81.199.41.148 : lessen dependence on the internet
Verification is cool, please burn a few gallons of fuel and send your money offline.  

16 Feb 2007 @ 19:53 by Not Happy @69.156.139.187 : Western Union Sucks
Went to WESTERN UNION to day to send money to Russia, to bring a Lady frind to Canada for a hollday. Wend I send the money ask for ID. The call came in, It was W.U. asking what the money was for, I was ok with that, but they did not stop there who is this Lady,and where do you know her from. I said you do not have the right to ask me this. Thay said we will give you a refund.Now if we do not play there game looks like we got a refund. How nice now you W. U. have stoped a hollday for some one. Well W. U. hope you are happy with this. W. U. have to many requirements from what I have read, what good are you. I think some one show start up another Money money transfer, But it turned out they are no good. W. U. Is B S  

17 Feb 2007 @ 06:28 by Priscilla @72.76.8.129 : western union SUCKS
I'v been trying to get a hold of western union for weeks now to request cashed copies of money orders I have sent. they have not responed and want to charge ME $36.00 for copies that I feel are rightfully mine in the first place. I will never use western union again. I don't trust them and nither should you. If you ever run into a problem they are not avalible to help.  

18 Feb 2007 @ 17:00 by Deceived and Unhappy @72.202.143.159 : Western Union, it's a kind of mafia
I had sent more than 2,000 USD on their website to about 6 different people and had passed their security test twice. During my last transation of just $300, I was told that I had never passed any security test, which was bullshit. When I said I had, I was treated as a liar. Can you believe that? treating a custommer as a liar for something that could easily be verified? All the same, I said I wanted to go ahead and take the test and you will not believe the type of questions I was asked this time: the type you cannot answer by YES nor NO and those where my only two options. I am still smiling because after never failing any test or exam in my life, here I had to fail one. When I called the next day to open a case, I was told I had a third option which was never given to me, then when the lady spoke to her supervisor and came back, her speach changed completely, she became as cold as the one I had had the previous day. Well, I think it's a type of mafia going on in Western Union. I have stopped sending money through their system and I have so far asked more than twenty of my friends to stop also. Not only is are these suckers expensive, but there is another company that does the same thing online for a smaller cost and I am now using them. Guys, think of MoneyGram, I discovered them because I was pissed off at western union. I'll stop using them also if they come to suck as Western Union

Never use Western Union, you might end up regretting, because it's the day you really want that money to go that you'll be fucked.  

20 Feb 2007 @ 04:11 by Dr Love @67.182.139.151 : westernunion
Fags  

20 Feb 2007 @ 13:08 by Uncle Che @69.73.180.139 : They suck
I wish I would have known beforehand that it could hold up my money. I decided to send some money online. I am out of the country and I haven't bothered to send over my debit card yet, I like it safely back in the states. SO I go online and process a western union payment, I figure I might as well save my mom a trip to the western union. Of course I was declined. I figured no big deal until I saw on my statement that they took out the money. So now, the money is in limbo until the charge disappears. It sucks. It really does. I am being deprived of my enjoyment of my property due to the actions of Western Union. No disclaimer exists and if it did, I wouldnt have sent it online.

About time for an internet warning site for western union.  

22 Feb 2007 @ 16:48 by Ohm @24.81.135.212 : Yes,they do suck. They really really do.
I am so happy this website exists. But, I wish I had looked for it before using Western Union (erghh!)
I tried sending money online. Right at the very end of the transaction, Western Union said, please call us for verification. When I called, all they said was, this transaction couldn't be completed. But, they couldn't give me the specific details as to why the transaction couldn't go through.
Frustrating, and very inconvenient, but not the end of the world. However, I was right pissed off when 4 days later I checked my credit card account, and there's was a Western Union charge there. Especially as I'd already received an email from WU saying that if the transaction is declined, "we will cancel your money transfer and you will not be billed."
Tried calling their customer service line. Was hung up on once. When I called back, I was transferred to three different people. When I finally reached someone in their "Validation" department, I told the WU rep, how can I be charged for something that didn't go through. He was insisting that I wasn't charged, just that there was a hold put on those funds, and that the charges would disappear off the credit card account within 2-3 days. I pointed out that car rental companies & hotels put holds on funds on credit cards all the time, but they don't show up as charges on the cc. All he said, it’s different with cash advances. I also pointed out that it was now more than 3 days since my western union order was declined. He then said, because I was Canadian, Canadian banks may take several weeks to delete the Western Union charges. Several weeks!
I then told him that my credit card company had charged me a cash advance fee for the WU charge, and that I was not going to pay for that. Again, he said that was between me & my credit card company. I said I was going to dispute that, and asked for either a phone number or address for customer service complaints. The western union rep said they didn’t have any such department, and he couldn’t provide me with a number or address for contacting. Unbelievable – a huge company like Western Union does not have a department for customer service complaints?!
After that frustrating call, I contacted my credit card company. They verified, that yes, Western Union had actually charged my account (not just put a hold on the funds, as the WU rep had tried to tell me). Yes, they took money from me for a transaction that they declined – unbelievable. As someone said above, seems rather fraudulent.
Now, my credit card company has started a process to dispute the charges, and yes, it may take 4- 6 weeks for the western union charges to disappear. (At least my cc company is understanding – they won’t charge me interest on the charges in the meantime).
Unbelievable – I have to go to all this effort to dispute a transaction that Western Union said didn’t even happen.
And if I hadn’t contacted my cc company, would Western Union ever had given me a credit? Who knows – maybe not.  

23 Feb 2007 @ 22:06 by gernoth @132.204.180.47 : No Western Union
Listen to me seriously, i have been the victim of an identity fraud subsequent to a money retrieval. After three months of hell, this shitty company paid me my money back (1500 $) when i decided to sur them.
-NEVER CALL (1-800-235-0000) They will misguide and disinform you, you will get sick from calling there. If they say an investigation will be opened, IT IS A LIE to buy time in hope that you, like the majority of victims, will abandon and move on. So AVOID the customer service, just forget this option.
-What to do: Write to western Union a letter of Formal notice (mise en demeure), just follow the model on your country's official justice site, give them 15 days, but wait 20 days, i did just that and this time they started an investigation FOR REAL (they started 3 of them to tell you how much they lie), after 14 days i got my money back. If they don't answer back, meet with a greffier (don't know the word in english) and pay the fee to start a new file, and western union will be forced to make one of their hidden rats come and represent them. Here is the strategy: Make it so that they have to prove that it was you who picked up the money, or bought something, make them do all the work. That was the advice from an expensive attorney, but you get it for free so don't underestimate it. Very few situations went untikl courtroom, but the few often winned. In some cases, their representative did not show up during session. Western Union fructified on fraud, read its background history, after many complaints it built this pseudo-secure system of theirs. Conclusion: Go with the banks for money, you'll wait 24 hours more but it is better than months of western union bullshitting you.  

23 Feb 2007 @ 22:14 by gernoth @132.204.180.47 : To OHM
They do have a complaint department, it is called PIE desk (Payments In Error) and it is located in Costa Rica. I will try getting it back and post all the numbers Western Union don't want you to know. If you call Western Union, NEVER FORGET TO RECORD THE CALL because each time they tell you something different, that could be useful in courtroom, judges don't like this kind of  

24 Feb 2007 @ 14:43 by Zino @196.220.6.118 : New Electronic Money
Stop complaining about western union instant transfer. join the new world of online money. Here is my advise, first buy some e-gold online into your e-gold account then send it online through e-pay.vg. you have western union option there and there are no limits. If you love my advise thank me.
ZINO.  

26 Feb 2007 @ 16:39 by gernoth @132.204.67.120 : Western Union Bullying
I really want to help out western union victims because if one has not gone through their lies, he/she does not know anything about this issue. I am never posting here again, this is a serious situation for the victims, not a spam guestbook. Don't consider the disinformation agents trying to lure you into Internet transactions, NEVER use Internet for transactions and NEVER use credit cards Period. Write me, i give you the numbers and you can verify if all i said are lies. I am never visiting this page again so don't bother answering this particular post. God bless you. 841818@blazemail.com  

28 Feb 2007 @ 16:23 by Kate @70.22.137.45 : Prohibited countries
I have been using Western Union for a year and a half to send money (not much) to a family of seven that I know personally in the West Bank. (Previously I had used bank transfers, until one got 'lost' and was neither given to the family nor returned to me.) Until the last time, Dec '06, WU sent the money to 'Israel' since that's what they considered the West Bank to be. Suddenly, two months ago, I was told it had to be sent to 'Palestine' instead. OK, so that went through all right. Now today I call up to send some more money and I am told that money cannot be sent to 'Palestine'. The operator says there are a lot of countries where money can no longer be sent. I ask her to list a few, and she gives me 'Brazil', 'Bulgaria', 'Israel'.... So I can't send the money to Israel either. Nice to leave a family with five children without the money they were counting on! Is this WU or the US gov't? Whoever is doing this should be ashamed. I don't know what to do now.  

3 Mar 2007 @ 16:48 by Janet @64.13.13.43 : Western Union Needs A Correct Database
I have legitimate business dealings with a company in China. I have transferred money to them via Western Union previously. Most recent transaction, I was "put through the test". Transferred to 2 different operators, cut off once, redialed to complete transaction, transferred to 2 more operators (was initially transferred to a Spanish-speaking operator and I only speak English). Anyway, I disclosed a lot of personal information and was asked about people I didn't even know. I responded honestly. Now I am afraid the information I provided may be used by one of these WU operators (who are by the way the rudest most unprofessional folks I have ever dealt with, and that goes for all the operators who have responded to this blog! Sorry, but true). WU has made my business suffer. I have even had difficulty getting an MTCN from WU to send money from my local WU office (they have indicated they cannot complete a transaction to my legitimate business contact)! This system should protect us from frauds, fakes, and the bad guys. I couldn't agree more with having a high level of security, but here's my comment to WU: USE A REAL DATABASE WITH REAL INFORMATION if you are going to keep someone on the phone for an HOUR, then disallow any future online transfers. What? What in the heck? I am a legitimate US citizen with valid credit information, available funds, and a legitimate overseas supplier. WU has made my business and business relationships suffer. I have complained to BBB. I will send a letter to the WU corporate office. I will post a blog on CraigsList. Thanks for listening...  

4 Mar 2007 @ 23:20 by Dale Maley @71.113.168.93 : Also screwed on 3/4/2007
I tried send $1,000 today from 1 site in Illinois to another site in Illinois...using my credit card. Sequence was 1)register online, make transaction, get failure notice 2)call web site, they say bank for credit card won't release money and to call credit card bank 3)call credit card bank, their fraud detection requires customer to call in and answer security questions 4) credit card bank says problem fixed and to call WU 5) call WU and tried their web site to do transaction 6)call credit card bank again, they have me stay online on WU's web site and try transactions until they see it. They saw it and said money had been moved to WU 7) call WU, informed I violated "their business practice guidelines and they would not allow me do any transaction. This is the first and last time I ever try Western Union.  

9 Mar 2007 @ 18:58 by Gilles @74.57.219.61 : more of the same
I sent $900 a first time and everything went ok. But a month later, I needed to send money fast and I used the online service again. At the end of the internet interview they said: "You do not pass our security requirements" It was a $875.canadian transfer to the Philippines. I thought it must be a mistake. So I used my wife's name who is on the same credit card as me. Same message error. Then I called them in the U.S. The attendant told me "No Prob" he will do it over the phone. He wrote my transfer in U.S. money and then finally answered he cannot make it through either.

Then I went to check my credit card statement on internet: $875 + 875 + 904 = $2654 were recorded as TEMP purchases!!!

I fought like crazy to get my money back since my bank removed the TEMP and sent the statement home as is! I had to fight for 6 days with at least 20 phone calls and 2 faxes to the bank and to Western Union. Gee those Credit Union employees are dry and arrogant!

ADVICE: Western Union is not ready for proper internet transactions. Go to a W.U. outlet, pay cash, get an MTCN transaction number and send it by SMS (text message). That's what I did and you know what? It was 3% cheaper this way!  

9 Mar 2007 @ 19:39 by Gilles @74.57.219.61 : Patty M Rowe you are disgusting!
On 13 Feb 2007 you wrote: "You don´t undestand how important is this verification process WU has" Nobody in this forum is merely reluctant to get through a fair verification process! We're talking about holding and keeping other people's money here. In my case, $2654 was a whole lot of money! I was sending to my sister-in-law, who is a farmer in the Philippines so that she could be able to buy piglets. A VERY SMALL piggery. She needed these pigglets to make her farm going. She missed the sale because of the failing W.U. money transfer so called verification process! (see my post up here). How will she feed her family without these piglets now ha?!! Well seated in your WU operator office, you feed yourself and your folks without pig shit obviously! I tell you: Western Union is worst than pig shit!!!  

9 Mar 2007 @ 22:25 by Enraged @209.143.112.201 : FUCK Western Union
I just spent 3 hours speaking to the total number of 11 FUCKING MORONS who consider themseves the employees of Western Union. Okay the fucking website doesn't work, not a big deal. I called. Okay, your being spawned by a retarded American education system, I don't expect you to be capable of spelling "Kostas", which is for your information a GREEK last name, Greece being perhaps the only country in the world that doesn't have ANY affairs with Arabic or otherwise muslim countries. Okay, you have that retarded 25 question quiz of yours, that any 3rd grader would figure out before you could form the first question of it in that pumpkin your morons call your head, I can even deal with that. What is beyond tolerance is that the decision whether or not my family receives the money depends on a FUCKING MORON who can't even count the states of his or her own country.  

10 Mar 2007 @ 08:21 by Daniel @85.18.201.169 : What About when WU steals your money?
"I´ve read all your complains about WU service, but You don´t undestand how important is this verification process WU has. I have taked tons of calls of people almost crying because some bastard stole money from their credit cards, making it sent to nigeria, or italy or united kingdom, I had to tell Sorry Miss, but the money was already transfered and they have already stolen your money!!! That REALLY SUCKS, I am obviusly a WU operator, and I do apologize for all the inconviniences you have experienced, but you´d better think that all you´ve been trough is better, that getting robbed!!! unfortunatly we can not see customers by their faces and check their IDs or if they are or not the real cardholders... so that is the only way we can try to help you withouh jeopardizing your own security. .. you shoud think it both sides!!!!!... so...
Thank you for choosing Western Union and have a nice day!!!!!!!"

Ms. operator.... your security questions are indeed worthless and ridiculous. I am currently in a lawsuit for a decent amount of money sent to me by my parents when I was moving to London and needed it to pay my tuition at my University (my CC wasn't working and had to resort to WU)

To make it short: The operator told me there was no transaction with that number, I called WU that told me I couldnt do anything about it. My parents called WU and asked to talk to someone about the problem... no answer. We requested a recepit of the transaction (which by policy they should give in 10 days) I finally got it yesterday... over 1year and 3 months afterwords and only because of a court order. And guess what? The signature is not my own, the address is not my own, and the senders address is nto my parents! The only thing that matches are the names.

So how is this secure? It was obviously done internally by an employee and i STILL don't have that money. What if that had been a poor persons savings? What if I hadn't been in London with a friend? What would I have done then?

And WU has yet to reply in a coherent manner... they have even gone so far to suggest I am scamming my parents!

Fast and reliable my ass. WU should be shut down it has such a faulty security system on all sides it's insane people still use it.

bah  

10 Mar 2007 @ 14:05 by Gilles @74.57.219.61 : ADVICE
Well Daniel, we should all use another money transfer service! But in case it is impossible and if you absolutely need them, which is possible since, with time, they built a hell of a monopoly in wire networking , it's still feasible if done the way I mentioned earlier: "Go to a W.U. outlet, pay cash, get an MTCN transaction number and send it by SMS (text message)." Since you do local business, they will provide you with a valid MTCN transaction number and a so essential R E C E I P T. Then, the local dealer is accountable for it.  

14 Mar 2007 @ 20:40 by Fins @82.235.231.61 : Did not pass security requirements
same with me. I attempted to send money to China, via wu online service. AFter debiting my acct for the funds, they then tell me at the end my transfer was declined. Declined because it didn't mean the business requirements of WU. I asked "what are the business requirements". The operators response- " I cannot give out that information, because it is secure." Bullshit, and moneygram.com is the way to go. Supercheap prices and worldwide service. Screw Western Union...I hope somebody uncovers their scam to hold all this money in "Limbo". I'm sure they are investing in something themselves to make even more money. I HATE THEM ALL  

17 Mar 2007 @ 22:01 by ed @87.10.190.240 : They are loosing the point
Yeah.. i have some bad experience with WU, not mentioning that several times comes up that they cannot process my cc. I'm gonna make it short.. so: IF MY CC BANK SAY GO! .. THEY SHOULD JUST RETAIN THE SERVICE FEE AND PROCEED TO FINALIZE THE JOB. IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT SOME PPL DO FRAUDULENT TRANSFERS, BUT THAT'S WHY WE PAY THE POLICE 4. after all.. rude operators keep in mind, u need us.. we don't!  

21 Mar 2007 @ 12:44 by dave @24.210.121.200 : wu
as a westrn union rep we r not told y transfers are not aproved and i my self have tried to send with my own card and can not and we only make min wage so sorry to here you all complain  

30 Mar 2007 @ 15:05 by Curt @69.92.177.27 : with dave
i'm with dave. the $15 or however much they charge you... we storefront 'agents' get less then well... lets say WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY less then 10% and i mean "WAY" as in, almost zilch.

let's say i can make maybe $80 a month off of this. woo hoo, and i do over $80,000 of OTHER business (not WU) per month.  

11 Apr 2007 @ 19:22 by DJ @204.146.182.254 : I WORKED FOR THEM...AND THEY DO SUCK!!
I worked for Western Union for over 10 years and I can say that in my last couple years, it became the absolute WORST place you could work. So many changes were being made that the place was turned upside down. I feel sorry for all of you that used Western Union and had to go through such a hassle. I truly understand because I was an operator who had to listen to it everyday.

Not only did they become very strict with their transfer requirements, but they became extremely strict towards the employees. They pretty much did a housecleaning and got rid of everyone they felt were cancers to the company, in some form or another. They forced operators to stick to a very dry and robotic script. And if you didn't stick to the script, you were eventually fired.

And I wanted no part of the Credit Card department because I knew what the customers had to go through and I knew that calls would come in all day from angry customers wanting to know why their money was declined or held up, and I didn't blame them one bit. I chose not to follow their stupid, anal-retentive script and luckily found a much better, relaxing job before I was fired. I will never, ever endorse or use Western Union for anything. I'd really be surprised if they were still in business 5 years from now. The new management truly has no clue how to treat people.  

12 Apr 2007 @ 18:49 by LAMEDUCK @86.62.250.3 : TECH-SICK
I guest that im also a victim of WU menace, ive been a costumer of this company ever since im working. well to be honest i still prefer sometimes the old way of this company, telex or telegram they say! it takes a little bit of hassle but it will reach where it intends! i dont need to explain as everything has already mentioned, would it be caused by new technology or just crafted by the WU management! Im really too sick of what all this new tech has done. you have to be follow the improvement of this new tech at all times otherwise you will lost in the middle of nowhere! I had a very sad experience bout the WU recently, i sent money home to pay for my best friends operation, hell that hospital dont work till money has shown!! my friend already 6 feet below the ground still he dont get my help! i got too much bloody nonsense explanation from them for nothing(WU)...Again today (as what happens to me normally)I went for shopping and pay for my credit card, the machine declared to be "DECLINED" shit! i have to run for the nearest ATM machine to get cash from thesame card! and hell all the customers after me want to break my neck!! its not my fault but i know it wont be a good excuse but all because of these new technology we created!... NOW DONT TELL ME THAT YOU DONT EXPERIENCE THIS!!!  

12 Apr 2007 @ 21:14 by blahblah @208.116.136.5 : My Debit Card is Destroyed
I tried WU this morning for a payment to Peru. I foolishly used my debit card. And by the end of the circus of questions, my transaction was denied. I called WU to see why and they said my Bank had a fraud hold on the acct. I called my bank and they said they put the hold on because WU tried to charge my account 3 times in a row. I said okay, could they lift the hold and I would try again. I know, I'm an idiot. And I tried again. Again, my transaction was denied. At the same time I got an email from my bank saying there was "suspicious" activity on my online account. So I called my bank again; they put another hold on my account for trying to use WU again. They said WU has been associated with some company (but I forgot which one) that has had several breeches of security and that I should really get rid of the card I just used! They really stressed that my card had been comprimised and I should request a new one. So I did. Now I don't have access to my bank by ATM or debit card. And I got so freaked out by all the info I entered in WU database, that I went in and changed it all because there's no way to just cancel an account. Has anyone heard of WU having data leaks or security problems? I been trying to find info, but this is the only site I've found with any problems listed for WU. Bank of America was the bank that had me destroy my card after using WU.  

13 Apr 2007 @ 12:46 by ken macneily @142.161.95.104 : WESTERN UNION
Last month I picked up a money transfer for $4000 us funds.Told them I wanted $4000 us funds(the amount sent to me)Western union said they can only pay me in Canadian funds. Western union SETS THEIR OWN EXCHANGE rates.They paid me approx 4500 and the bank next door would have given me 4700.Whether LEGAL or not, they ROBBED me of 200  

27 Apr 2007 @ 21:59 by Ernesto @132.204.67.98 : Ripped off of 4200 $
everyone go and check a message posted by gernoth, i tried calling and it was exactly as he said. I'll try what he said and check back with you.  

4 May 2007 @ 14:13 by Tran @72.226.86.166 : WU canclelled my transfer
I setup a money transfer on Western Unions website. It said to call to complete the transfer and gave an 800# as well as the date and MTC number. I called the 800# and all was going well until the operator put me on hold to validate the transfer.

* I was sending money to Guam which is a US territory but after reading comments here, it could have been a contributing factor to why this operator cancelled my transfer for no good reason.

1st - Why did I have to be put on hold to validate the transfer?

2nd - I was on hold for well over 10 minutes. The line was silent. I was on a cell phone and thought we'd been disconnected or something. I hung up and called RIGHT BACK. I was then told the operator had cancelled the transfer!!!!

When I placed the transfer I printed a copy of the screen saying I needed to call to complete it. It clearly states I have 24 hours to complete the transfer!

I asked to speak to a supervisor and the woman was very rude and was playing the "it's your fault" game. She would not explain or comment on why the transfer was cancelled when I have 24 hours to confirm it.

She said the money is in my bank but it is not. They still have it. My bank account is still missing that money so I can't resend it.

How much of my money do they have ~$3080

Afterwards, the original operator had the nerve to call back to do an interview! Not about resolving the issue but to finish up her call. How insulting!


I filed a Rip off Report:
[link]  

8 May 2007 @ 17:42 by Rick @76.183.74.147 : Idiots
On the contact us form it keeps saying i have to use english letters on and . and ,.

I cant even use a question mark. FUCKING MORONS!!!  

8 May 2007 @ 20:27 by Mike @166.3.66.84 : Western Union
I tried several times to use their online system to send money from New Mexico to Arizona. It kept bouncing back "transaction not available at this time.' What pisses me off is when you call Customer "DisService" to find out what the problem is all one gets is recordings. I think it's fast to tape money to a turtles ass.  

11 May 2007 @ 21:13 by western union opr @209.33.120.89 : I work for WU
i am a validation specialist for western union, yes i get to ask all of those questions. the questions we ask is really for the credit card holders protection, however even though i work for western union i would not be able to send money transfers because i wouldn't pass our validation requirments. for the majority our transfers do go through but you have no idea how much fraud there is and we have to face the fact that there are legit card holders that dont meet our verification and we are not authorized to disclose our business requirements. think of this way, most of the complaints that i get are because we cant disclose why we cannot send the transfers not because they were declined, but think of it this way, if we told everyone why they cant send and what we are looking for, the real fraudulant people would have the information on how to by pass our validation. it is a lot harder to send money now online than what it has ever been. Also about the funds being on hold, it goes to your bank for processing before we can process it, it would be stupid for us to validate it just so your bank can decline it?? so your bank will place a temporary hold on your account to give western union time to charge the card, if it is cancelled than the funds will go back to the accnt depending on how long the bank places a hold on the funds. If you use the over the phone service we are now validating transfers before submitting the transfer to your bank.  

13 May 2007 @ 22:46 by Saul Good @68.12.224.15 : WESTERN UNION SUCKS!!!!!!!!!
They have the worst automated system on earth, it's just an absolute disgrace. I will NEVER use their system again. After waiting on the phone forever you get someone who barley speaks english. It seemed like I was on the phone with HP. LOL!! Thank God for paypal.WESTERN UNION SUCKS!!!  

14 May 2007 @ 13:19 by John @209.33.120.27 : Morons
yeah, they ask you security questions, know why? because western union lost a million dollars in just a few months from chargebacks because of people STEALING other people's credit card information and sending money. Then, the real card holder, probably some idiot who banks online, calls his card company and refuses to pay. hence, that money has to be paid for by western union. Also, it says right on the website that your bank may hold the money in pending status, if you are too retarded to see that, then that is your problem.

guess what, if those operators don't ask those security questions, they get fired. so their family has to go without food, just to make it easier for you to send your money to your phillipino wh*re.

if you are too lazy to answer questions about your previous information, like previous addresses, then get off your fat butt and go to an agent location and pay by cash! there aren't any security questions then, so you can stand in line a drool like the moron you truley are.

in closing, if you can't remember your previous addresses, then you might as well go behind your house and Shoot yourself in the head. rather you have Lived at your current residence for a year or fifty years, it shouldn't be a problem. I have moved more than anybody and I remember all my previous addresses. So, basically get a clue you dumb piece of garbage.  

16 May 2007 @ 05:33 by Debbie @208.127.14.70 : John
John,
I totally agree w/ you (just do not say we are WU customer svc employees and that the primary employment requirement is a 3rd grade education!) By the way, go back to night school, your grammar is awful!  

16 May 2007 @ 05:54 by LAMEDUCK @86.62.225.4 : John
Me too agree with you!
But as debbie said that you have to go to 3rd grade school, if not ask your mother about good language! otherwise stitch your dirty mouth if you cant! were talking bout WU here and not about bad words and whorry thing!!! pig!  

21 May 2007 @ 11:50 by TSK @136.172.253.189 : "Confirmation"
Oh yeah, Western Union. I wanted my payment of 2500$ (I am a contractor) from the US to Germany quicker, so I decided to try Western Union (The reason: It takes 5-7 business days to get the money from the US to Germany AND then again 3-5 days until my bank finally transfers it on my account. Both banks are using it for short-time investments. Really annoying). Lo and behold, the sender sent it and forwarded me the confirmation mail. I go to my WU transfer station (they are offering it just as a secondary service, so they don't have anything to do with WU service) and the money is denied. The service phones the WU agent and asks what is wrong. They are telling him the name of the sender is wrong. ?! I was so baffled that I thought it was a typo or that. No chance. I am going home and reading the confirmation mail I see THAT THE NAME I GAVE WAS RIGHT ! How do these bunch of $&%%&* confirm the name if not by the confirmation mail ? Now I cannot go back because it was too late, the station is closed. Fuming, I tried
to get an operator and she's telling me: "You cannot do anything, you must tell the sender!". Now the sender was denied the transfer because now WU realizes that it is "business". But as usual the money is already bound by WU.  

28 May 2007 @ 10:23 by P*ssed off Bride to be @83.105.41.251 : Western Union
Currently in dispute with Western Union over funds that they have 'lost' - basically a wedding present from Family in Brazil of a fair ammount of money that when I went to collect 'was not on the system' - called 'customer service ' to talk to some poor call centre drone who was not allowed to give me any information apart from it was paid to 'someone' 'somewhere' but she could not tell me where or when - odd as it clearly states the kind of ID that you need to collect funds in the UK....so someone somewhere is not doing there job and is acting at best negligently and at worst criminally. What I love is that Western Union is acting like its not their problem that they just lost £2k that they were paid to transfer 'safely and securly'....disheartened at the ammount of time that I see it can take to get problems resoved (over 1 year?? With Court Action???) Im getting married in just under 6 weeks..and if it dont get the money soon basically bang goes the wedding band, the photographer and its going to be a pretty awful wedding dinner. Thanks for potentially ruining my wedding Western Union!!!!  

4 Jun 2007 @ 00:51 by MOMinNEWORLEANS @68.230.236.205 : WU - WTF is "Business Requirements"
Tried to transfer $50 state to state - to my son to buy food and diapers - nothing I wanted to do but necessary. Went through the entire online process, got the MCN and the "call to complete transaction". Well, after many times on hold - after being on hold for 10 mins initially and answering all those security questions - which I know is for my protection, but felt like I was being treated like a criminal myself - and providing info that identity was stolen while in Houston during Katrina and all turned over to credit card company with pics and all information needed to arrest the person who stole our identity was put on hold again and then informed that I DO NOT MEET THEIR BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS. Guess cuz they were too stupid to use all the information I provided for them to arrest and prosecute the individual who bilked them out of the $200 in 2005 - he's still on the streets of Houston!!

In the meanwhile - yeah, WU is suffering from identity theft but if their investigations dept would do their jobs and go after the theives instead of treating their CUSTOMERS (NOT ANY MORE) like thieves my grandson would have diapers and food tonight. Thanks WU - YOU SUCK!!!!!  

14 Jun 2007 @ 21:29 by Aaron @198.170.193.164 : Ridiculous.
My story is the same. I tried to send and emergency 400 bucks today to help someone out. Did it online, then had to call to finish it. The lady then told me I didn't pass the verifications, but she wouldn't tell me what specifically. Then she got extremely rude, telling me that of the hundreds of thousands of dollars that they process daily, 400 is nothing... Fair enough - so give it back! I will never use WesternUnion again.  

14 Jun 2007 @ 23:26 by Victoria @81.156.127.119 : Exhausting& frustrating transaction!!!
Tried to make a transaction tonight, but become a nightmare for almost all night.registered for the first time and hoping to pay an international instant transaction.Unfortunetly it was the most difficult transaction i ever made.after registering, start my payment and all went ok and got MTNC (tracking no)(whatever)and however it appear to be needed a verification and to call the customer service, so here is the nightmare began...apparently it turn out that the card is not competible with the system.. blah blah blah..blah... i called my bank right away, lucky that they can reverse the money back to my credit card right away. so wait for another few hours i tried again . and same problem. i have another bright idea, my partner register and use her visa , hoping that this time the transaction goes well.what a surprised!!! it happaned again.. my partner call the customer sevices , she was told that her card is not verify ..blah ]blah blah... by the time all this happened, her bank has close for the day. Now we both have to wait for tomorrow to find out that if any money taken out from our visa and mastercard.

So good luck to others who use this stupid services..  

20 Jun 2007 @ 11:03 by Jim @90.241.45.157 : Website
This has to be one of the toughest things i have had to do online. Two days later and i am now having to go off to find an agent. The website is a complete waste of time!  

24 Jun 2007 @ 05:31 by Terry Powell @72.211.148.87 : Surreal Experience
Wished I had read this first before using WU! Tried to send $500. to my brother to help cover the cost of my sister's funeral. The rep was obviously Mexican with poor English skills. After a round of silly questions trying to verify my identity, I found myself desperatly searching for records that would show my adresses and telephone numbers from several years ago. Obviously thinking I was a fraud because I couldn't remeber my exact two previous addresses from over ten years ago and because the telephone number wasn't in my name at one loction, I eventually failed the "verification test." The real pisser was discovering that even though I failed the test, WU approved my debit card transfer so that I had my $500. locked up in the bank for the next 5 business days! As I was tight for money, I wound up even tighter and had to scramble together another $500. elswhere so that my sister could get cremated in a timely manner. WU sucks big time.  

9 Jul 2007 @ 09:43 by Niyas @124.180.53.45 : This service sucks
I sent money thru online service last month and this time I tried to login again to send money. the site says, the password is incorrect. i used the password help, entered my email address and data of birth, the site says the information i entered does nt match the records. i called up the toll free no and the guy who answered the phone says, there is no way to recover the password and i have to register again. i tried to register again, as part of the information i have to provide i entered my email address and once i submit the information the site says, this email is already existing in the sytem which is of course mine, and now i am being asked to use anothe email address.

I tried to send a note of concern to them thru their online contact us form, i filled in the concern/comments column, and once i submit it says your concern can only be in english characters.. am i typing in chinese..

This is the most ridiculous and the most unfriendly online service i have ever experienced. It was such painful task sending money online last time already and I can imagine any online service could be as bad as this.I will just use a bank to send money and i hope i never have to use westernunion again to send money.  

10 Jul 2007 @ 14:19 by Megan @72.84.52.77 : Western Union
I am an employee of Western Union and I'd like to make you privy to the fact that BECAUSE disgruntled customers feel the need to post information of this nature on the internet is EXACTLY why we have to beef up our security requirements. Every fraudster has access to the internet and believe it or not most of wire fraud occurs on the internet---infact 4 out of every 10 transfers online to proves to be fraudulent. As both a customer and employee of Western Union, I feel that the more verification procedures involved, the better. There are many times at work when I've called a cardholder at 3 am to tell them someone in Romania is attempting to use their card for 2,000.00 and they've been more than thankful for the security procedures involved.  

10 Jul 2007 @ 14:22 by Megan @72.84.52.77 : Western Union
Additonally, many of the policies customers are unhappy with stem from the Bank Secrecy Act as well as the US PATRIOT Act....and if customers would read the terms and conditions of use before sending that'd help a lot as well. Many of the things mentioned above are clearly stated.  

10 Jul 2007 @ 23:37 by ming : Western Union
You don't seem to understand, the problem is not security verifications, even though they obviously are very faulty - it is that you charge people's credit cards, and keep the money for a week, even when you refuse the transaction. Yes, that's you doing that, even if you usually try to blame it on the customer's bank. That's fraudulent, and should be considered a criminal act, if it somehow isn't already. It is in no way clearly stated when one orders a transfer. It isn't stated either in the confirmation one gets right away, which makes it appear like one's transaction is ok. It is a general rule for credit card transactions that you can not take somebody's money before you are ready to deliver the service. If you have no intention of delivering the service, that's called fraud. If you simply refused people's business, that would be annoying, but not fraudulent.  

11 Jul 2007 @ 21:38 by hukona @72.234.37.228 : Western Union
After a hellish morning with WU online, I was so glad to find these posts. I was trying to send a mere $300. to my daughter in another state for an emergency... got the "call to complete" message. Which I did. They called back with a series of questions which were totally unrelated to the information I'd provided. Of course I did not meet their requirements.... I was so worried that someone else had tried to use my identity, until I found these comments. Now I can see that the "questions" were probably related to my addresses in the past (It didn't help that the operator could not pronounce any of the streets or cities) also to my ex-husband's new wife who was maybe somehow linked to my old address??? WTF??? Went to an agent in town to get the funds to my daughter, but wasted an hour on line and on the phone first. Will NEVER use WU online again. I do appreciate the security measures but their attitude only made me feel LESS secure.  

12 Jul 2007 @ 03:48 by WUAgent @71.174.22.191 : Go to a store that offers WU services
I work at a service desk that offers WU. Some days we send $60,000 or more in transfers. I've been working there 6 years now with very few problems as far as transfering. And as far as the people not wanting to answer security questions read the terms and conditions. Nobody's forcing you to choose their service, if you do choose to use it though you must follow their guidelines. Apparently the online website has many problems. I would recommend going to an agent. It's much easier, theres someone there to help you, and just 1 or 2 forms of id (that hasn't expired) is required depending what your sending and to where.For some amounts your occupation is required.  

17 Jul 2007 @ 22:58 by MJH @12.24.60.12 : Western Union Fraud
Tried to send 500 dollars to Russia via the website. Declined, reason not given, tried again the next day. Declined again. My bank caled me to verify that I tried to wire money via WU. The bank said that they have authorized the transaction. Authorized?? Where's my money? No MTN, no receipt. I checked my bank account online to see two charges (500 each) pending on my account. I'm now broke and unable to send money or even pay other bills. I called WU, then the bank, they advised me to call WU and give them a special phone number (which WU could use to remove the fraudulant charges to my bank account) I called WU, but they replied "we don't cal banks." After 5 days, the hold on my money was removed. Thankfully it wasn't an emergency, or i would have been in a terrible situation. I suggest Prepaid Visa cards. It's a new service and it looks promising. You can get them at Walgreens and/or RiteAid. just mail the prepaid card, and email/phone the PIN number to the recipient. I hear that PalPal has it's own volume of nightmare stories, and they are not truly an international service anyway.  

21 Jul 2007 @ 23:35 by mary @74.100.228.154 : Western Union takes money-no delivery
Western Union on the internet refused my effort to send money to Peru after giving them detailed information- so no transaction number etc. However, they had taken the money out of my VISA account. When I complained I was told that they always get authorization for the money from VISA before deciding whether to send it.

I apparently had been rejected by the computer because I had not used Western Union before. Obviously this could have been done before authorization of the VISA deduction. So Western Union gets to use my money for what I am told will be 15 days. My bank say it is their policy not to question Western Union charges- I guess they like getting interest on cash advances. Don't send money using Western Unions internet site - if you must use them go to an agent.  

24 Jul 2007 @ 15:54 by seriousleemad @69.138.239.250 : I smell BS oh its western union
NNNNNever send Western Union online. You would think I learned after the first time. Ihad no clue that they actually held my funds after trying to send. it didnt go through the first time so I tried again. when I called to ask why the air head costomer service girl didnt even know what I meant when I told her my funds had been put on hold in the bank x2.(as if she doesnt get these calls every day) so I told her to get off the phone so i could speak to some one with sense. she got the sup. that wasnt that much help either. she also pretended asif she didnt know what i was talkin about.Iwas sooo frustrated I told her a few choice words ten hung up.The only thing i was told was that the were not sure when my money would be realeased but that it would EVENTUALLY.Those were the exct words of the bongo heads. Any way try moneygram its cheaper and no hassle. its muchhh better.
Seriousleemad.  

31 Jul 2007 @ 19:47 by Ryan @172.148.234.66 : They do suck!
I've used WU in the past before, but today they denied me the ability to perform transactions. I called and asked why, and I don't meet their "business requirements!" Which they refused to explain. They SUCK.  

3 Aug 2007 @ 15:34 by jme @72.43.255.246 : Their database is corrupt
WU erroneously sent a request for funds to my Credit Card (Bank) for $1,000. My bank approved ... but though this money has exited my account, WU "has no record." Thus I am out (with fees) $1,040, that has likely been credited to someone else's account. This could only happen if they are not locking the records at the DB or they have faulty Foreign key assignments or general concurrency issues. They are *impossible* to contact. The only available phone # disconnects. They will NOT return my emails. The https (after login) portion of the site exposes server side code all over the top of the browser page. They are a nightmare. I will give them until the end of August to refund the $1,040 at which point I will go to the NYS Attorney General and the FBI. They are already under investigation by the FBI according to blackhat.com.
After that, unless they refund, a class action suit will ensue.  

11 Aug 2007 @ 09:07 by Meg @67.172.29.82 : Learn to read
As someone who has worked for both WU and bank (BofA) customer service, I feel like I have a unique perspective on this. Lazy WU operators will tell you that the pending transaction will fall off in a few business days. Lazy bank operators will tell you that the company has the funds. If the transfer is cancelled or not completed, and funds still come out of your bank, YOUR BANK HAS THE FUNDS ON HOLD. Without authorization codes from both directions, no money ever changes hands. It's all still in your bank account. It has just been set aside. If your bank keeps it on hold for 7 business days, that sucks. Get a new bank. Bank of America is notorious for this.

As mentioned above, because WU is considered a semi-financial institution, almost all of its activities are covered under the Bank Secrecy Act and the USA PATRIOT Act. We are legally bound by the federal government to perform validation on transactions sent over the web or phone, and ther are stringent identification standards on large transfers. You WILL receive extra scrutiny if sending to a country that has high incidences of fraud. Everyone working for WU has stories about waking up real credit card holders in the middle of the night after trying to verify the identity of the sender. Every single day that I work, I have people calling who are obviously frauds, people complaining about fraud, police officers calling with subpeonas about fraudulent activity, etc. The security questions are stringent because easily answered questions leaves you open to fraud from the most likely source: your family.

Additionaly, if you send over the internet, especially, every single complaint on this board is covered in the terms and conditions. When you're dealing with a lot of money, read the fine print. You have to agree to those terms and conditions before you can send. If you dislike that your money transfer was cancelled because, of course, YOU know who you are, and the your bank has the funds on hold...well, you were warned. If you send money to Romania for a computer and never receive one, well, WU goes out of its way to tell you that we don't provide escrow or any guarantees other than if the transfer meets the business requirements and your receiver can verify the information on the transfer and has proper ID/ answer to test question, that they will be able to pick it up.

If you don't like the rules WU has to play by, write your congressperson and let them know about what parts of the BSA and Patriot Act upset you. Otherwise, take cash, get an ID, and stop complaining that big, bad Western Union would rather not be respoinsible for your money being stolen.  

17 Aug 2007 @ 16:13 by Missmgmnt @129.44.169.220 : I had the exact same experience!
I just tried to transfer $880.00 to my friend in Virginia using money in minutes of the western union site last night - same damn thing happened to me! I went through the process and then got a message that I needed to call western union to complete the transaction within 24 hours or it would be cancelled. So I called up and verified my info with the representative and then he told me he needed to ask 4 security questions. He proceeded to ask me to choose the best answer from the list including how much my monthly car payments are, what color is my car, which city on the list is the last city I lived in... questions that I considered invasive and irrelevant to be honest with you but I answered them anyway and then he told me I did not meet western unions security standards and the transfer would not go through. I demanded to speak with a supervisor and when I did I told her that those invasive security questions were a joke and the fact that I provided them with my card number, social security number, d.o.b and other pertinent and relevant information was all they needed to know to secure who I am and that my transfer was valid. I also stressed that it was important that this transfer go through, as the individual in Virginia needed this money! She refused to reconsider and also refused to tell me the particulars of their security standards... they tell me I am not meeting them and when I demand to know what these standards are they tell me they can't tell me that!?!? Anyone else confused? So finally I said, fine, cancel the transfer and I'll go online and resubmit and go through your stupid test again and maybe this time I'll pass. She informed me that this would not be a good idea, as the transfer is not so much "cancelled" as it is frozen! I was LIVID - so not only will they NOT send the money, but now I have to wait until the financial Gods release the funds back into my account??? When she asked if there was anything else she could do for me I told her to go f*ck herself and hung up. I felt bad about that but oh well.

Anyway, our story differs in that I called back the next day WITH A BANK REP ON THE PHONE! The bank rep informed the western union rep that the bank was allowing the funds to go through if western union would approve it, otherwise she needed verbal confirmation from the western union rep that they had cancelled the transfer so she could immediately place the funds back in my account. The western union rep said they had cancelled the transfer, and that they WOULD NOT approve any online transfers for me - that I had to go with cash in hand to a western union branch. So I clarified "you're telling me that even though I have a bank rep on the phone who is TELLING you my funds are approved on their end, you are not going to approve the transaction?" The western union rep said yes and then again elluded to those confidential security standards... funny thing, I didn't think about the arab name thing until I read this article - my last name by marriage is Buckus! Now I'm even more outraged!  

6 Sep 2007 @ 03:31 by mikey @141.149.140.92 : i got ripped off too
you fucking people suck.. my money order is lost and you assholes think i should send you $ 15.00 more to trace the fucking thing...I WILL NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH YOU AGAIN and i will tell my friends to boycott you pricks too

CUSTOMER SERVICE wrote: Hello Mike

Thank you for contacting Western Union. We are writing regarding your inquiry.

Unfortunately, your email did not include sufficient information and we are unable to determine what assistance you require. Please clarify and restate your question.

If you have any additional comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at customerservice@westernunion.com

Sincerely
Louis G.
Customer Service Representative
www.westernunion.com  

7 Sep 2007 @ 04:04 by attorney @69.139.103.83 : WU
There are legal liabilities for WU here, if they are charging a fee that they aren't returning and are not willing to print their methods of how they establish whether you meet their business standards clearly, or they are actually using these funds in any way at all before they are returned that is criminal. Your credit card company can't take your payment each month for 2 weeks and invest it or let it gather interest, take risks with your money, then return it and charge you a late fee. Unless of course they disclose it and you agree to it prior to establishing an account. Very interesting, if everyone could stick together it could be a class action law suit. If anyone has any questions please briefly email me summergirlinva@hushmail.com

I'm so sorry  

9 Sep 2007 @ 21:52 by sp4nk @71.191.181.239 : Re: Patty M. Rowe
Yes. You could be even more secure by not sending any money at all, which seems to be the way things work at Western Union.  

24 Sep 2007 @ 23:10 by Kaeti @64.91.142.161 : WU is TEH THEIF!
A friend pointed me to this site, since I was having issues with WU, here is the thing though:
About a few days ago I noticed that my account was drained of funds (note that I am a poor college student and when 300$ is taken out of your account, you are broke beyond belief!) and it was done using a Western Union money transfer from a temporary check card that Bank of America (the worst bank on the PLANET it seems) gives you until you get your orginal card. My account was opend on the 17, on the 20th it was drained, and all Western Union could tell me that when it was done, and it was sent to ROMANIA of all places. The lady on the phone was nice, but NO HELP what so ever, said there was nothing they could do because the money was picked up.
So I call my bank, THEY can not do ANYTHING because it is "pending" which means I technically still "have the money", but can't use it which results in me being negitivly broke in the process.
So my broke ass has been calling WU and BoA since the 20th. Spending hours on the phone, racking up a hefty cell bill TRYING to get some answers. Western Union can't cancel the pending transaction...which has to be BS to the T, since it was picked up, Bank of America can't even claim fraud until it clears, so I'm stuck in some crap ass limbo with NO money, yet someone in Romania is enjoying a free ride on my paycheck.
WU excuse was "You probably responded to an e-mail on the internet", NO, HELLO I'M NOT SO DAFT TO GIVE MY ACCOUNT INFORMATION OUT, an account I had for 2 DAYS before this happend that didn't even HAVE TIME to register it with ANY SERVICE.
As of now I am still waiting for the 300$ charge to not be "pending", which after that I have to wait another day or so before I get my money back.
Also, the SAME EXACT thing happend to my coworker a week earlier, and apprently happend to someone else in our area too, so we are looking into pressing charges etc. With the correct personal.  

1 Oct 2007 @ 16:28 by Elizabeth Trimm @64.69.126.186 : Western Union Horror Stories
I send mony to needy extended family members sometimes. Last one was for an infant with no food- they live several hours away. They could not get it because the person who took my order didn't understand English and sent it to the wrong place.
Previous experiences include my nephew picking up $50 and western union charged me for the person who picked up their money next in line and I was charged over $100.00 for that person's pickup as well......
The service sucks and don't call them it is just a nightmare to get through their annoying process. If there was another way, I would use it.  

1 Oct 2007 @ 21:00 by Jean Philippe Jude Mednar @200.63.229.232 : do you see my Name as receiver
Sir,Madam,
do you see my name:Jean Philippe Jude Mednar or Juan Francisco,Address Ecuador as a receiver of US$ 3,000 from Brandon Thompson or Brandon O'Brien Address St Catherines House Al NG 3 Way WCZAZEB ?
 

2 Oct 2007 @ 19:18 by REB @70.165.110.234 : WU Horror Stories Continue
Here's a good one. I purchased a MONEY ORDER in the amount of $115.00 in the USA - being sent from Nebraska to Missouri. I put it in a birthday card and sent it to my son who is traveling back to Nebraska. He calls to tell me that the AUTHORIZED AGENT LOCATION in Missouri is charging him $30 to cash the money order! He goes to another local AUTHORIZED AGENT LOCATION and is told it will be $15 to cash it for him.?!?!?

Two things wrong here WU: 1) You represent fraudulism when you do not state ANYWHERE on the money order form that it will cost a substantial fee to cash in a paid money order. 2) If these are the types of AGENTS you employ - good riddance to you all.

Please know that Wal-Mart Stores offer money transfers outside the USA, moneygrams, and money orders for purchase. A money order at Wal-Mart costs 46 cents compared to Western Unions 55 cent charge; AND you get the complete amount on the money order when cashing it in at any WalMart, ANYWHERE.

I have also sent this complaint to the "consumer" email site on WU's website and as I never heard back, I also sent a letter to the Better Business Bureau so they are aware of what I would label "scam". How many people pay $15 to $30 or more for a $115.00 MONEY ORDER (or less) to be cashed in. I told my son to bring home the money order and we will cash it back in to the place I bought it.

SHAME ON YOU WU. I have sent out mass emails to as many people as possible asking them to send it on so that no-one has to lose money on a WU money order!  

16 Oct 2007 @ 17:16 by GREG BATES @68.211.80.131 : WESTERN UNION SUCKS!
I just had the most awesome time dealing with this stupid company. Yep, good sarcasm there. I was getting a wire for $450 from a friend in NY. I did not have my license with me, so I called the store. Amazingly the grocery store accepted my social card (The ONLY place that would), but again that was my fault for not having.

So, I go the store at about 6:00 am on a weekday. The manager looks at the form I fill out and says "I don't have enough cash to pay you now". That's the whole freakin idea of wiring money, to get it immediately, duh! Anyways, I didn't give the manager any grief because I would have to return later with my social security card as ID.

I called Western Union and asked them why it is so hard to get money. They are rude on the phone and not very smart to say the least. I told the rep that I was having a problem getting money and asked if she could assist me. She replied "No, I cannot help you with that". Unreal! This company sucks!

I'm going to write a letter to the VP of customer NON-service and tell him how much Western Union sucks. I've heard it helps to write the number 2 idiot in charge. Advice is not to use them if at all possible. At the most stressful time, you know, when you REALLY NEED MONEY? They give you crap instead...  

27 Oct 2007 @ 08:10 by ARNALDO S PINLAC @210.1.80.138 : money transfer control # 3443603784
..my wife send money to me via denizbank western union in turkey kusadasi and expecting that i could have the money as soon as possible because our 12months baby boy is sick and he needs to see the doctor right away,unfortunatelly i dont able to get it because the control number that was given to her by western union bank in turkey was WRONG and INVALID..how this happen...all i know is that the control number control every transaction!My wife had an official receipt and even the control number that was given to her! thats ridicilous!!i personally called the western union customer service hotline # and they told me that there was a mistakes in part of the control number telling that they will fixed it as soon as possible but its too late i was ashamed on myself insisting to the teller here in philippines that the number given by my wife is correct and also i was worried to my sick baby boy because he needs to see doctor! well its good that i have some friends that lend me money just to make sure that my baby could see the doctor right away..i feel so bad....western union should do something about this!this is serious...it is between life and death of somebodys life!!!western union do liable for this serious matter!!!!!!!!!  

11 Nov 2007 @ 22:58 by MONIQUE @69.124.153.10 : WESTERN UNION IS GARBAGE
I GOT A TASTE OF WHAT EVERYBODY ALSE HERE HAS TODAY!! TRIED TO SEND 150.00 TO MY MOM FOR HER RENT AND GOT F***** OVER!! SAID IT DIDN'T MEET REQUIREMENTS AND STUPID MANAGER SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW THEM!! HELLO?????? YOU A SUP. AND DON'T KNOW THE REQUIREMENTS? HOW STUPID!! NOW MY MONEY IS ON HOLD AND MY MOM IS WAITING!! I WILL BE CALL THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU!! AND ADVISE ALL TO DO THE SAME!!  

13 Nov 2007 @ 05:07 by mmh @24.206.207.75 : NOT OUR FAULT!!!
I am an opr working for WU. I do understand why everone gets upset and takes time to bitch about the service that you receive. I wish that people who use this service would understand that we do what we are told to do..it is our job. That does not mean that we agree with the ways that the systems are set up. At least 100 times, I have known that the person's transfer that I was cancelling was in fact, the real credit card holder. If I decide to "let it go" and snd this xfer I would get in trouble...on the other hand, I have a person yelling at me b/c I can't provide this service for them or tell them a real reason why. We would realese the info or snd the transfer if we could. About the pending holds on funds though, that is a different story. The bank does hold those funds. I would be mad if I wanted to snd money and was denied and found out later that my funds were on hold. I completely agree...but please don't take it out on people that are just doing their job. thank u  

13 Nov 2007 @ 22:37 by Gilles @74.59.210.196 : Find another job, loser!
Me? I found another way to send money. Well, if you like the bullsh*t given to you by your miserable company (including your asshole wage) and if you also like the sh*t of frustrated customers... it's a different story! If you can't find a better job, man, you're a loser! Keep working for them and you're an asshole indeed!!!  

15 Nov 2007 @ 14:52 by DJ @204.146.182.254 : THAT'S WHY I STOPPED WORKING FOR THEM
I worked as a customer service operator for 11 years with WU and the longer I stayed, the worse the job became. A few people here that try to defend WU's regulations have obviously been brainwashed and cannot see what is really going on with the company. Yes, there are some customers that don't read some of the stipulations involved with money wires and don't realize that WU has no control over some situations that occur, but overall, the company is nowhere what it was in the past. New management, outsourcing of jobs, lack of training, and overblown fees are the reasons why the company has somewhat taken a backseat to Moneygram.

I still keep in touch with many employees at Western Union, many good employees that have been there for years, and they still confirm to me how bad it has become. The few long-time operators that are left there are either trying to look for new employment or are eager to retire. The system is flawed and highly unorganized (ESPECIALLY credit card transfers) now and GOOD customers should be upset about the hassle of wiring money now. Yes, there is much more fraud to deal with these days, but at what price should it cost good, hardworking people to send money without having to be put on trial? I personally would never work for, nor send money through Western Union ever again. If you took a poll of the remaining operators at Western Union and asked if they were happy and secure with their work environment, 98% would probably say they were not. It was that way when I worked there and it is even worse now. I made the choice to leave before I was fired as part of a downsizing/outsourcing movement. Western Union is definitely not the company it once was and I would be highly surprised if it were still in business in the next 5 years or so. Good luck to those still working there and good luck to those who chose to use the service.  

20 Nov 2007 @ 00:18 by tha loser workin 4 western union @24.206.207.75 : DEAR GILLES
Thank you for calling me a loser, made me feel really good inside. Anyways, I am taking a break from college b/c I had some personal matters involving a close family member dying. I was just trying to make people realize that the people who you talk to on the phone are just doing their job and I also understand that getting yelled at comes along w/ the territory..I was just taking up for a few people who take it to heart...believe me, I don't. I live in a fairly small town so the wage isn't so bad...my fiance makes tons anyway so that isn't the issue there at all. I like my fellow employees and when you live in a town like I do, there aren't many other choices unless you are a Dr, Lawyer, or like flipping burgers. Neither are up my alley. I am going to be a Drug/Alcohol counselor as soon as I graudate (15 credits short right now) so please do not call me a loser just b/c I work at a place that you don't like for some reason or another. Personally, I think you are the asshole b/c you don't even know me nor have any reason to judge a young female trying to make it in this world and put up with idiots like you. Don't use Western Union..see if I care, less calls for me! I definately won't be there for more than 6 months so gee, that means, YESSSSSSSss i'm not stupid asshole right ???  

22 Nov 2007 @ 21:19 by gilles @74.59.210.196 : Reminds me of...
Tupac (another asshole), in one of his songs "Dear Mamma" cries his apology to his mother for not having been a better boy with her. But now he behaves with her: he kills other gangsta, deals drugs and pimps away prostitutes so that he can leave an envelope full of money in his mum's mail box. Nice guy ha!

No excuses can hide a morally bad behavior, even for a young female trying to make it in this world and put up with idiots! You know who you work for! You know you lie to customers. You know you cheat them! You know you sneakily just get rid of them with deceitful answers. You know you are part of a deceiving wheel of cons, accepting to trick people and support this company so that a few fuckers can keep showing a false image of reliability and get millions out of it!

You say that you're just doing your job. Your job is a piss and you don't have the dignity and the guts to give it up. You know that what you do is wrong! But, young lady, if your world is confined to your small town, just stay there and play your con artist show to those who had the courage to move where an honest job fit their endeavors. Cheers loser counsellor!

BTW: After what I just read, you're certainly more a stupid asshole than I thought you were...  

23 Nov 2007 @ 16:02 by Bert @74.59.210.196 : YOUR JOB? http://goddessofmanynames.blo
Back when I was a teenager (like thirteen or so) I had a copy of Penthouse magazine. After about a year I noticed there were stories in between the pictorals and read them. One was an account by the Mossad agent who had captured Adolf Eichmann in Argentina and brought him to Isreal to face trial for his role in the Holocaust. Eichmann was the architect of the Holocaust, he was the man who poured over building plans for the death camps and wanted the gas chambers made larger, the man who could stop a train carrying ammunition to German soldiers fighting the Russians so that a train of Jews might arrive at Treblinka in a more timely manner.

I remember the author describing Eichmann as a polite, friendly man with a sense of humor. Apparently Eichmann even told him that he had nothing personal against Jews at all. He was just doing his job. Yet we have memos from Eichmann complaining that the camps were not meeting their quotas (i.e. they were not exterminating men, women and children quickly enough). When Eichmann's superior, SS head Heinrich Himmler wanted to stop the gassing, Eichmann kept it going. He was a model of efficiency and purpose.

He was also the penultimate example of human evil.

I believe that even he can be redeemed, but not unless he acknowledges the evil of his actions. Men like this have a difficult time doing that. They have invested a tremendous emotional effort into justification and rationalization. In their minds they have drawn logical and definate reasons why they are exempt from the horror of their actions: I was just doing my job, if I didn't someone else would, I only did it to the (Jews, Gypsies, Witches, Christians, Muslims, fill in your favorite group here) and they are not really human, etc., etc.  

2 Dec 2007 @ 21:48 by Dearne @124.177.107.67 : Western Union
My only gripe about Western Union is the amount of time it takes to load a page - and I'm on high speed Internet connection. Would you believe it took me over 40 minutes to fill in the required details?!

Dad lost his wallet in the UK so mum and I, not knowing what Western Union even was (!!) had to send $900 via credit card to him a few days ago. No probs there. Same as today, I sent him $900 via debit card. No probs just a few questions such as my previous address (because I have not been at this one long) and my licence number. Overall I was fairly happy with it (got a bit lost at the rate the chick on the line was talking!!!) but all went quite smoothly. I'm from Australia, perhaps that makes a difference? Anyway was sorry to read all of these comments (I did so in the midst of my transaction - fearing the absolute worst) and sounds like WU really needs to pick up their act!!  

8 Dec 2007 @ 18:19 by Doesnt MAtter! @70.124.7.149 : Western UNions SUckssss BIg TIMe
SO I lost a money order I was supposed to mail out and automatically I filed and affidavit to stop payment. I had to send 15 dlls plus the certified letter to get there the next day.... and aftera week they told me sorry, they already cashed your money order. F*** them... Im like that's why I sent the freaking letter as per YOUR request. They told me that would stop it. WHo ended up losing almost 1,000 dlls.. ME!!! F*** them, I'm not having a Merry Xmas thanks to them. They did NOTHINGGGG when they couldve more.  

11 Dec 2007 @ 21:29 by ARod @72.225.191.114 : Another complaint...
I actually just tried using them too. And for some "undisclosed" security reason they could not process my transaction. I need to go to a location and do it from there. You know, after getting rejected, and also being fortunate to not have them hit my account I'll gonna go ahead and say f*ck it. I'll find another method to handle this payment..  

19 Dec 2007 @ 01:38 by MO @69.124.153.10 : PREVIOUS COMPLAINER
GOOOOOO TOOOO MONEYGRAM!! WESTERN UNION MESSED ME OVER FEW MONTHS AGE AND I'VE SINCE WENT TO MONEYGRAM!! IT'S GREAT!! ESP. THERE ONLINE SITE TO SEND MONEY!! MONEYGRAM #!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

4 Jan 2008 @ 00:11 by chester simpson @72.47.68.94 : hmmmm
If you could read the terms are on the website and you could very well see that you give up any rights when you send with WU so...... it's not WU fault when your transfer can not be put through....

WU rep  

5 Jan 2008 @ 02:28 by mparr @209.226.175.59 : they truly suck!!!
i fought with western union a lot of times....the latest was..i had to send money to the phils for my daughter's school expenses....she needed that money that very day...and guess what...i sent just 100$ but they only received 75. they said they will investigate it for me....they sent me a copy of the receipt of the money signed by my friend at home....and lo and behold truly 75$!!!! then they never said anything...i wrote back to them....so...what will you do about this when it clearly states here in the receipt that they only received 75???? we will investigate it further.....one year passed.....no results,.....no wetsern union!!!!  

10 Jan 2008 @ 07:35 by G Chan @99.237.148.94 : Yes .. no more WU
Wow, I wish I had found this before sending out money this time around. They left me on the phone for 30 minutes twice and one operator made a comment about me sending money to china for my other girlfriend and "he knows how the deal goes" which pissed me off. When I called again, I got the same guy so I asked to get another operator which ended up being 562. He was no better as he didn't even ask me many questions other then what kind of card I was using and basically tells me to goto the kiosks tomorrow. An hour wasted of my life.  

15 Jan 2008 @ 10:19 by Disgusted with Western Union @68.4.210.29 : Just got shafted
Western Union just promised to "send my money in minutes" (45 minutes to be precise), received authorization from my financial institution, and then refused to send it while, at the same time, locking up my money for the next six days. In honor of their dishonesty, a new web site is being created (the forum is already up) at: [link] Drop by and share your horror stories today.  

21 Jan 2008 @ 19:50 by gilles @74.59.210.196 : WHY POSTING ELSEWHERE?
This website here has been gathering precious complaints and infos since July 2006. To me, it would be a bad move and prejudice if people would start to post elsewhere. I feel like all the material will be split and scattered in such a way that those who want a powerful riveting stand off against Western Union will have to post twice or more.
Besides, I tried to register in the forum suggested in the above mentioned post (Jan 15th). It didn't work! I never received any e-mail so that it has been impossible to post (this one post here) Gilles or Mahal, never worked!
POST HERE! WE GOT THE POWER.

By the way, I have nothing to do with the one who started this website!  

27 Jan 2008 @ 04:49 by Andy @71.75.75.108 : When Do Held Funds Come Back???
I'm SO glad I stumbled upon this page. I tried sending money online via Western Union. I called the number for validation, answered a ton of credit history questions and had them call me at my home phone, and the transaction was denied. Now, the $300 is held up on my Visa. I'm in good shape financially, and I can live without the $300...but still!! I see from this page, that people are saying the funds will be back in my account in a few days. But my question is this: Has anyone else gone through my situation, and actually had the amount credited back? I'm so afraid I'll lose the $300 now! WILL the bank actually credit by Visa or do I need to do something else? I attempted to send the money on a Saturday, and it's only Sunday now...but I feel so paranoid and scared.

Andy

PS: I did (for some odd reason) decide to follow their suggestion, and transfer hard cash at a Western Union agent location. The money was easily sent, and it was picked up by the recipient...Success! But what about that money on hold??? Only time will tell.  

21 Feb 2008 @ 23:26 by Becky Sabo @141.161.136.89 : Western Union
I tried to send money to my boyfriend in Ecuador today using Western Union and after asking me a few questions on the phone like my date of birth, past addresses, the last four digits of my social security number, debit card, etc. the guy just hung up the phone without even saying anything!! I called back and was put on hold for half an hour until someone finally got on the phone and told me I had been declined because I "didn't meet the business requirements." I mean I was using a debit card connected to my checking account which has way more money in it than I was trying to send and its not like I have any credit problems anyway.. it's totally ridiculous  

22 Feb 2008 @ 01:00 by gilles @74.59.209.196 : RIDICULOUS, ...
INTRUSIVE , HARSH , HAUGHTY , SUPERCILIOUS and HAPHAZARD !  

25 Feb 2008 @ 07:49 by JAY @74.72.133.46 : sent money at location
I have been sending money for the past year through western union. I've read most of the peoples complaints on this site and see that a lot of them stem from online transaction. In my case I never made an online transaction I always sent cash money at western union location. At the western union location they usually have cameras up to record my face and they also take my drivers license information. Today I received a call stating that I have to call them for verification. I haven't called them yet but hopefully when i do everything works out. What could possibly be fraudulent about sending cash? I purchase items from china to sell locally. Are chinese people now a terrorist threat to the U.S.? I will post again after my conversation with western union  

29 Feb 2008 @ 06:50 by WESTERN UNION OPERATOR @75.49.227.65 : WESTERN UNION OPERATOR
I HAVE WORKED FOR WESTERN UNION FOR ALMOST SEVEN YEARS AND I CAN UNDERSTAND MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT SOME OF YOU HAVE HAD IN THE STATEMENTS I HAVE READ BUT I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN SOME SERIOUS MISCOMMUNICATIONS ABOUT A LOT OF THE THINGS SAID ABOUT OUR COMPANY. FIRST OF ALL-WHEN BEING "QUESTIONED" ABOUT THE TRANSFERS THAT ARE "HIGH DOLLAR" ITS FOR "YOUR" PROTECTION. MOST OF THE EVERYDAY CONSUMERS ARE NOT AWARE OF HOW MUCH FRAUD IS OUT THERE. WE ARE NOT ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT FUNDS LEAVING THE U.S.A. FOR TERRORIST FUNDING BUT MAINLY FOR CONSUMER FRAUD SCAMS. DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE THINK ITS SAFE TO USE WESTERN UNION TO SEND FUNDS TO A PERFECT STRANGER TO PURCHASE SOMETHING FROM THE INTERNET? ALMOST ALL OF YOU! DO NOT USE OUR COMPANY TO SEND FUNDS SOMEONE YOU DO NOT KNOW PERSONALLY! WE TELL YOU THAT ON OUR CONTRACT/RECEIPT! WE ALSO STATE (IF ANYONE BOTHERS TO READ THE FRONT COVER PAGE) PREVENT YOURSELF FROM BEING A VICTIM OF FRAUD: DO NOT SEND FOR LOTTERY, SWEEPSTAKES, INTERNET PURCHASE, LOANS, ETC,...AS FOR THE VALIDATION ISSUES MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS SEEM TO BE ABOUT IT...IT REALLY IS YOUR OWN BANK HOLDING UP THE FUNDS. WE DO A "PRE AUTHORIZATION" TO MAKE SURE THE FUNDS ARE GOING TO CLEAR JUST LIKE ANY RETAIL BUSINESS WOULD. IF YOUR TRANSFER DOES NOT PROCESS THEN THE AUTHORIZATION DROPS OFF WITHIN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF HOURS DEPENDING ON YOUR BANK. WE (WESTERN UNION)DON'T HAVE YOUR MONEY UNTIL YOUR BANK GIVES IT TO US! I CAN TELL YOU ANOTHER THING ABOUT THE REASON THE VERIFICATION PROCESS REGARDING YOUR CREDIT CARDS IS SO "HARSH"-ITS BECAUSE YOUR OWN FAMILY MEMBER, PERSONAL FRIEND OR CO-WORKER USUALLY WINDS UP BEING THE ONE THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IDENTITY THEFT ONCE THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE! HOW'S THAT FOR A SLAP IN THE FACE. THEY ARE THE ONE THAT STOLE YOUR CREDIT CARD AND KNEW ALL YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION. IF WE DIDNT MAKE IT "HARD" THEY COULD WIPE YOUR ENTIRE ACCOUNT. SO IF YOU WANT TO KEEP RIPPING ON OUR COMPANY FOR HOW BAD IT "SUCKS" AND WHAT MORONS WE ARE KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN YOU ARE GETTING RIPPED OFF AND WE HAVE SAVED YOUR MONEY-LIKE WE DO EVERYDAY FOR COUNTLESS CUSTOMERS! I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE ONES THAT WE HAVE SAVED SURE THE HEAK ARE NOT COMPLAINING THAT WE TOOK THE TIME THAT THEY DIDNT TO PROTECT THEM.  

1 Mar 2008 @ 01:33 by sam john @90.205.78.196 : to western union operator
hi western union operator,,
whilst i agree to some of the comments made by you regarding verification process,i do blv that there is a lot of fruad going on but can u explain as to why innocent people get declined ove rth phone and to be told that there transaction as been declined,what exactly are you looking for when you ask for public record etc etc,its not sufficient to be told that you do not pass our validation process,if people understand that then they woudnt have any issues
thanks  

1 Mar 2008 @ 05:27 by gilles @74.59.209.196 : OF COURSE WU SUCKS, YOU MORON!
Wow! Another omnipotent and prodigious WU Robin Hood! But who the hell asked you to protect me ha?! And what kind of f*ckin service do you provide if you end up treating most of your customers like shit? You admit being HARSH (and slap faces) in this site here, so why don't you state it openly on your front cover page too, in case anyone bothers to read it... No, you rather prefer sending a false image of reliability and courtesy. In fact you just don't want to admit that your screening process absolutely desavows any common sens.  

5 Mar 2008 @ 10:15 by Josh @71.186.200.239 : Western Union sucks
This company is HORRIBLE. Their website is constantly denying me. Now I have sent to my friend 3 times already, NO PROBLEM. Then all of a sudden they decide I don't meet their business requirements, whatever the hell that means. I thought the only business requirement is to make money.. These people are absolutely retarded. Furthermore, you realize when they charge your card they do so as a cash advance, which means there is no way in hell to dispute it. They are chargeback proof. Their procedures are rediculous. I love how when you ask then why they couldnt approve the transaction they say they cannot divulge such information. Fucking idiots.  

7 Mar 2008 @ 10:46 by Mauka @82.12.241.90 : False rate
Western Union are rippers. I checked with Western Union branch at Upton Park Opposite the station for the rate while buying two Uni Africa cards. I checked the rate and found to be Ksh.125.70 to a Pound that was on 05/03/2008 at about 16:40