Anyone haveing issue with Western Union?

[MNKenr]

Hello all.

Anyone having issues sending money via Western Union to Ukraine? When using a credit card to send $200, I was requested to contact Western Union security. On the phone with the security woman, I was asked if this money is used for 'visa' services, or other similar promises. It is not, and she was not interested in my explanation. She only said that it is against WU security policy to authorize this transaction, and it will be canceled.

No explanation why I could not use thier internet site to transfer money in any amount. They would not tell me anything stating it would not be in thier best interest to disclose security policies.

This makes me nervous. Has anyone else had similar problems using the WU website to send money? I wonder if I use a different name for the reciever they will allow the transfer. I also wonder if they refuse all transfers into Ukraine, or only certain ones. If only certain ones why mine?

The $200 is for a legite purpose. Locally I sell those wodden nested dolls, but painted with custom photos of the people buying them. I was sending the $200 for the next batch. I have done this before with Western Union for the same purpose with no problems.

Thanks for any response.

MNKenr

[Craigjjs]

... in response to Anyone haveing issue with Western Union?, posted by MNKenr on Jun 14, 2005


I periodically send money to Vietnam via Western Union.  Occasionally, I am required to call security.  They only ask for ID information.  They never refused a transfer.

On 60 Minutes last Sunday they did a story on "Canadian Lottery" scammers.  They said that, despite security measures, more than half of the Western Union money transfers from the US to Canada are from victims to scammers.  My guess is that something about the location, amount, etc. triggered some red flag even if it was not relevant to your actual circumstance.

I would try wiring by phone or in person, rather than Internet.

Craig

[Felinessa]

... in response to Anyone haveing issue with Western Union?, posted by MNKenr on Jun 14, 2005

You know, my bright idea du jour earlier was that Western and Money Gram should have black lists of scammers, and notify innocent senders when trying to send money to a listed name or address.

I wonder if that's already starting to be implemented; it sounds like a wider net is being cast, however.

Are you sure that the people you work with are not involved in side businesses which might have landed them on a black list?  Maybe you could go to the bank with paperwork showing that your reasons are legit.

Or, use Money Gram.  Mom and I have been using it for years, and it works like a charm.

[Frank O]

... in response to Anyone haveing issue with Western Union?, posted by MNKenr on Jun 14, 2005

NT

[MNKenr]

... in response to Try Money Gram it's also cheaper. NT, posted by Frank O on Jun 14, 2005

Transaction got canceled from Moneygram also. I had to telephone and verify who I was, how I knew the reciever, and what the money was for. Also asked if I meet the reciever before and how many times in the past. The agent gave me a tid bit more information saying that Ukraine has been a very problamatic country for transfers. He also mentioned that I am 'in the system' and if I tried to send to a different person within Ukraine, the system will more than likely cancel that transaction, and all other transactions I create with the reciever in Ukraine, no matter the amount. I love being 'black listed' for doing nothing wrong!

He did mention that this is in response to some new federal monitoring from Homeland Security.

I can of course visit a local agent in person and send cash. They seem to have issues with credit card transfers over the internet.

After a conversation with some business friends last night, it seems that the USA is going backwards in terms of being the land of the free, with the issues they have had in the import/export business.

I am mildly annoyed about this.

MNKenr