How To Transfer Money Through Western Union

Western Union is a wire transfer service that allows you to quickly transfer money all over the globe. While it’s not without risks, it is a reliable way to get money to friends and family almost anywhere in the world. Follow this guide to make sure your money gets to where it needs to go.

PART 1. Sending Money

1. Know who you’re transferring to. Western Union is a popular way for scam artists to receive money from their victims, so be absolutely sure that you know the person that you are sending the money to, and that you trust what the money is for. Western Union has the following guidelines on when not to send money:
Never send money to a grandchild, family member, or friend for an emergency situation that you haven’t personally confirmed through a reliable source.
Never send money to someone you just met online.
Never use Western Union for internet purchases (there is no guarantee that the person will send the purchased goods to you).
Never send money through Western Union for an employment opportunity or to claim "lottery winnings". You will often be prompted via email to send money to West African countries, such as Nigeria or Ghana in these situations. Remember that unsolicited emails are often scams - you did not win a lottery and you weren't selected by a "prince" to receive millions of dollars.
Never send Western Union transfers for purchases or sales on sites like Craigslist.com. Sometimes, a buyer will claim to purchase something you have put up for sale and send a check for more than the price. They will then ask you to send a Western Union transfer for the difference. This is a common scam.
2. Verify the recipient's location and name. You will need their location so you know what city to send the money to. Make sure you know the name that is used on their ID because this will be used to verify the funds are being released to the right person.
Make sure that the recipient has a local Western Union that they can visit, and that you are able to send money to their location.
3. Send money from a Western Union branch. Find your local Western Union office and fill out the necessary forms. You can send money from a branch in several ways: via cash, with a credit or debit card, or from bank account to bank account. Using your credit card may result in a cash-advance fee imposed by the card issuer.
Fees vary depending on what payment method you choose, where you are sending money from, and where you are sending it to.
If you are transferring from one bank account to another, you will need your recipient’s bank name, BIC (Bank Identifier Code) and IBAN (International Bank Account Number) numbers, and the account numbers. You may need additional information for certain countries.
Money may be available after a few minutes or a few days, again depending on location and payment method.
Save the MTCN number. This is the tracking code and the recipient will need to give this when receiving money.
4. Send money through the Western Union website. Click the Send Money link on the Western Union homepage. Select Send Online. Fill out the form, and choose how you want to pay. You can either send the money with a credit or debit card, or with your bank account. The recipient can either pick up cash at a Western Union branch, or have the money deposited into a bank account.
Using your credit card may result in a cash-advance fee imposed by the card issuer.[6]
You will need to create a Western Union account to use the online transfer service.
Fees vary depending on what payment method you choose, where you are sending money from, and where you are sending it to.
Save the MTCN number. This is the tracking code and the recipient will need to give this when receiving money.
5. Send money over the phone. Call the Western Union toll-free number, which can be found on the website. Provide the agent with the necessary recipient information, and pay with a credit or debit card.
Using your credit card may result in a cash-advance fee imposed by the card issuer.
Fees vary depending on what payment method you choose, where you are sending money from, and where you are sending it to.
Save the MTCN number. This is the tracking code and the recipient will need to give this when receiving money.
6. Use Western Union's Mobile App. Western Union's mobile app allows users to send money, track sent money, and pay bills right from their phones. The app is available for both IOS and Android platforms.

7. Speak with your recipient again. Provide them with the MTCN number given to you by Western Union, which they can use on the form when they go to an agent location to pick up the money. Advise them again that they will also need a government-issued ID that matches the name of the intended recipient to collect the money.

PART 2. Receiving Money


1. Pick your money up from a local branch. If you are receiving your money in person, you can visit your local Western Union to pick it up. You will need the MTCN number and a photo ID with a name that matches the recipient exactly.


2. Have the money transferred to your account. If you want to receive money in your bank account, you will need to inform the sender and provide them your necessary banking information. This includes your IBAN, BIC, and account number.

3. Get a Western Union prepaid card. This card will allow you to receive money, and then use the card like a debit for purchases and payments. Once you register the card, you can log in to your Western Union account and input the MTCN to have the money loaded onto your card. You can also load money onto the card by phone.

4. Receive money on your phone. Certain carriers in select countries allow the transfer of funds directly to a "mobile wallet" on a cell phone. See Western Union's website for more details.

USPS hold mail

Spam mail

USPS address change

USPS tracking number

USPS office hours

How To Send A Money Order Through Post Office

Sometimes you need to send money through the mail to friends, family, or in a business transaction. One of the most secure ways to do this in the United States is to send a money order. A money order is a payment certificate for a specific amount. It may be cashed or deposited much like a check. However, it offers a number of security features that make a money order a much better choice when sending it through the mail. For example, money orders can normally be replaced if they have been lost or stolen. You can also use a money order without having a bank account. Money orders can be conveniently purchased at banks, many retail stores and all post offices. Here's how to go about it:

Method 1. Sending International Money Orders


1. Decide whether to send a money order. There are pro's and con's attached to sending money orders through the mail. Benefits include extra security, no need for a bank account, the chance to make a transaction with a single payment, and the ability to send money overseas.  Possible problems in sending a money order include extra fees, extra paperwork, the need to go to a bank or post office instead of going online, dealing with limitations on the amount of money you can send, and occasional delays in sending and receiving money. Consider your options carefully before choosing to send a money order abroad.
If speed is important, consider wiring money instead of sending a money order. Western Union transfers can be done almost instantly, whereas money orders must physically traverse whatever distance is involved.
If you have to send more than $700 internationally, you might run into money-order limitations, meaning you would have to purchase more than one money order.

2. Look up which countries accept international money orders. Not all nations do. At last count only 29 countries accept American money orders. Any nation is free to place specific restrictions and conditions before accepting foreign money orders. Before proceeding any further, check with your post office about which nations will accept your money order and which might require extra paperwork on your part.

3. Visit a post office. Talk with a clerk at the service window. If you don't know where your nearest post office is, use a post office locator online such as the one athttps://tools.usps.com/go/POLocatorAction!input.action. All full-service U.S. post offices can issue money orders.

4. Tell the postal clerk you wish to purchase an international money order. In the U.S., they may be purchased for any value up to $700. (Certain countries -- El Salvador and Guatemala, for example -- will not allow money orders larger than $500.)

5. Pay for the money order. You may use cash, a debit card, or a traveler's check.
In addition to the face amount of the money order, you will pay a small transaction fee. In the United States an international money order carries a fee of $4.50. This is added to your total when you pay the clerk.
Note that a traveler's check can be used only if the money order is for at least half of the traveler's check's value. For example, if you have a traveler's check for $500, you can use it to purchase a money order worth at least $250 (or more than one money order totaling at least $250.)
6. Fill out the money order form. There are a number of lines to fill out on the form, and it is essential that you do so correctly. Be sure that you use only blue or black ink and that you print everything correctly and legibly. Most money-order forms will ask you to enter the following:
Today's date
Your full name
Your full address
The recipient's name
The recipient's full address
The amount of money you are sending
A description of the purpose for the money

7. Put your money order in a stamped, addressed envelope. Complete all address information, and affix the proper postage. The appropriate postage depends on the weight of the letter and its destination. A one-ounce international letter requires postage of about $1.15. 

8. Decide which extra security features you want to purchase. When you send money orders you can choose to increase the amount of security and insurance on your envelope. Indemnity coverage is provided free of charge, which means that you can request that a lost or stolen money order be replaced for a nominal fee. If you'd like your money order to have more security, insurance is available, as well as other features including registered mail or restricted delivery. You can ask the postal clerk about the costs and benefits of these extra services.

9. Put your receipt in a safe place. Make sure that the postal clerk provides you with a receipt for your money order. Place the receipt somewhere safe where you can find it later. For example, a wallet, filing cabinet, or desk drawer might be good places to store your money order receipt.
If your money order is lost or stolen, your receipt will help you get your refund quickly. There is, however, a fee of $6.10 for money-order replacements.
10. Track your money order. Use the Postal Service's tracking feature to predict when your money order will arrive at its destination. This feature will allow you to monitor where your money order is at all times, and it will let you know when your money order is expected to arrive at its destination. This will help you ensure that the money has gone to the right place and person.
If your package goes astray, contact your post office immediately. They will give you the forms to begin the money order replacement process.

USPS hold mail

Spam mail

USPS address change

USPS tracking number

USPS office hours