Western Union Transfer Methods And Options
Fees and exchange rates vary by which combination of these options you pick, and by country.
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Sending channels: Website, mobile app, by phone and in person at U.S locations.
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Payment options: U.S. bank accounts Visa, Mastercard and Discover credit and debit cards and cash at in-person locations only.
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Delivery options: Bank deposits into a bank account and cash for pickup at a location such as a retail store or bank.
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Per-transfer limits: Varies by many factors, including destination country, your transfer history, the delivery speed you choose, your payment method and agent location limits.
Option : Use A Service That Your Recipient May Need To Sign Up For In Order To Get The Money Into Their Bank Account
If your recipient is tech-savvy and doesnt mind signing up for another service , youll have a few more options to get money into someone elses bank account.
This kind of service happens in 2 main ways:
- Your recipient will get an email or notification and will then need to enter their banking details
- Your recipient will need to sign up for the service, and then from there can enter their banking details
Western Union Money Transfer Review
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Western Union offers 550,000 locations in over 200 countries and territories to safely send and receive money. Unlike many providers, Western Union offers both domestic and international transfers the ability to fund a transfer with cash or receive cash funds quickly overseas is its specialty.
at Western Union
But Western Union has a complicated pricing structure and the company has fallen short in the past in protecting consumers. It acknowledged its misconduct and agreed to pay $586 million in a settlement in 2017 with the Department of Justice and other government agencies for failing to prevent wire fraud on its platform. With this resolution, Western Union said it was committed to protecting clients by enhancing its compliance programs to prevent fraudulent activity.
To use its service, you must register with Western Union and take several steps to validate your identity. The information you provide online is encrypted in order to prevent fraudulent activity.
This overview of Western Union is for U.S.-based audiences sending money within the U.S. and abroad only.
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How Much Money Can I Send With Western Union
Your limits will vary based on a number of factors including your transfer history, location, transfer destination and what service you choose.
You can see the maximum amount you can send when inputting your transfer details in the Send Money section on Western Unions homepage.
If you are looking to make a large money transfer, then Western Union allows you to transfer up to $50,000 from the US when sending from your bank account directly to the receivers bank account. Just keep in mind that this limit may not be available for all receiver countries and is subject to restrictions based on the factors mentioned above.
Limits at Agent Locations
Theres usually no restriction on the amount you may send at an agent location. However, some countries set limits on how much can be received. If you have questions about a specific amount youre sending or a specific country, you can call Customer Care to inquire.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bank Transfers
A bank transfer is when money is sent from one bank account to another. Bank transfer is typically a general term that covers a range of money transfers, including cash transfer, online money transfer and more.
Bank transfers and wire transfers are both ways to move money electronically, but differ in terms of speed, fees and security. Both bank transfers and wire transfers are a quick way to transfer funds, but wire transfers are typically faster. Bank transfers are almost always free, especially for receivers, while banks and credit unions often charge a fee to send a wire transfer. Bank transfers are largely considered safer than wire transfers. No matter which method you choose, it is important to know how to protect yourself from fraud.
In the U.K., you can send money from your bank account with Faster Payments or SOFORT banking.
If you select Faster Payment bank transfer, you can pay directly through your banks website, so you do not need to share your financial information. To do this, follow the payment instructions on your money transfer receipt.
If you select SOFORT Banking instant bank transfer, simply follow the instructions on the screen once redirected to SOFORT Banking. You will need to have your online banking details ready to complete the transaction.
The cost to send money with Western Union varies depending on the method of sending and receiving. For example, an international cash transfer may cost more than sending money domestically for cash pick-up.
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Western Union Just Works
I have a fiancé that lives in Colombia I have spent months trying to figure out how to send money to her without getting slapped with not only exchange rate fees, but processing fees, transfer fees and since we are taking fees, fees. When you think Western Union stores you initially think expensive, which is why I avoided it. I highly doubt walking into an actual store or any other app on the planet would charge less than the $3, I spent on fees. This rate is less than most ATM fees and it gives me leverage as to what I can send and the frequency. I couldnt believe it, they also throw in customized e-cards and you can earn unlocks as you go. This gives the process warmth. Last thought on this. I think Western Union should offer point to point virtual and physical debit cards prepaid, checking or otherwise similar to CashApp but with International support. This would change the game and the world as WISE to my knowledge is the only one in the game. As far as this app? It just works and thats all I want and you do too.
Online Sbi Western Union Money Transfer
Western Union lets Indian residents send money from India to a bank account abroad completely online., you can start transferring money from your SBI bank account. However there are some restrictions.
- Transactions can only be paid from your individual savings bank account
- You can only send the currency equivalent of $5,000 USD
- Transactions for education have a limit of the currency equivalent $10,000 USD
If you are looking for an easy online option to send money from India, check out Wise. You can send up to 6,50,000 in a single transaction, which is more than Western Union allows for non-education transactions.
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How Do I Request A Money Order Refund
How you request a Western Union money order refund depends on whether you are the purchaser or page. Follow the steps below depending on your status.
If you are the Purchaser
If you have your original Western Union money order or your receipt, heres what you need to do:
First, complete and sign and date the money order tracing-refund request on the back of the money order receipt.
Alternatively, you can complete the Money Order Customer Request form. to be taken to the form.
Next, submit the documentation above and the $15 USD non-refundable processing fee payable to WU with a money order or personal check to the address listed on the form.
You can also send the documentation by fax at 1-720-864-0477, or by email
Please allow 30 days for processing.
Without your original money order or your purchasers receipt:
If you do not have your original Western Union money order or your receipt, heres what you should do:
First, get the Money Order Research Request form online. to be taken to the form.
Next, Print the form, and then complete and sign it.
Once its completed and signed, take the form to be notarized.
Finally, once the form is notarized, Submit it with all available documents showing you as the purchaser, and the $30 USD non-refundable processing fee to the address listed on the form.
You can also submit it by fax at 1-720-864-0477, or by email
If the money order was stolen, please provide a copy of the police report.
If you are the Payee
If you are a Payee
Other Ways To Send Money To Family And Friends
Mobile apps and online payment companies arent the only way to send money to your loved ones. Here are a few other options to consider:
- Wire transfer. Most banks, credit unions and other financial institutions offer wire transfers. You may have to pay a fee to send or receive a wire transfer, depending on your bank.
- Gift cards. Prepaid gift cards act as a debit card in many ways. Some gift cards have restrictions on where and how you can use them.
- Cash. Cash is an excellent option, but its not the best form of payment to send by mail.
- Check. You also can write a check and send it to family and friends by mail.
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Option : Send Money Directly From Your Bank Account To Another Bank Account
Maybe youve heard of the loads of new apps and services that let you transfer money. But, lets face it, your grannys probably never going to sign up for it.
Which means if youre sending money to someone who isnt so tech-saavy, you may need some other options that dont require them to buy a smartphone and download some apps.
- Use a service like Wise to send money straight from your bank account to another account, inside or outside the US
- Make a domestic wire from your bank
- Use your banks billpay option
How Much Are Western Unions Transfer Fees
Western Union has different fees for nearly every country it sends to, and weve seen fees range from as low as $3.50 up to $100 or more. These fees depend on how you are paying for the transfer and how the transfer will be collected. Agent location fees arent typically posted online, but Western Unions online fees are based on:
- Location. The fees you pay will be different when sending to different countries around the world.
- Payment. Paying with a credit card versus a debit card or a bank account will have different fees. Keep in mind that if you choose to pay with a credit card, you may be charged fees by your credit card provider too.
- Receiving method. Picking up cash is typically more expensive than having money sent straight to a bank account.
When sending money to China from the US for cash pickup, here are the fees we encountered using Western Unions price estimator tool on January 31, 2022:
Sending $1,000 to |
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Fees for money transfers within the US
The cost to send money within the US via Western Union depends on the amount you are sending, your payment method and how your recipient would like to receive their cash. To send $100 from your bank account to their bank account still carries a significant fee of $14.00. Sending the same amount from your credit card as a cash pickup will cost you $20.50. The maximum you can send in one day is $5,000, and the highest fee weve seen is $243.
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Send Through Online Banking
To send Western Union through online banking, you need to have access to either RHB Bank or Public Bank online banking.
Here are the steps to send money through online banking.
Western Union Exchange Rates
When youre calculating the costs of a transfer on the Western Union website, youll find the following disclaimer in the footnotes:
Western Union also makes money from currency exchange. When choosing a money transmitter, carefully compare both transfer fees and exchange rates. Fees, foreign exchange rates and taxes may vary by brand, channel, and location based on a number of factors. ¹
So how do you compare the exchange rates used by different money exchange and transfer services?
Firstly, you need to understand the mid-market rate. Thats the only real exchange rate, used by banks and financial institutions on the open market. You can check the mid-market rate easily, using an online currency converter, or by googling the currency pairing you need.
Try comparing the mid-market rate with the exchange rate offered by your chosen transfer service. Youll quickly find that many international money transfer services dont offer customers the real exchange rate. Instead, they roll up their profit into the exchange rate they apply. This isnt transparent and can mean that customers pay more than they need to.
However, services such as Wise, believe its fairer to use the mid-market rate, and apply only a small transparent fee to each transaction. That makes it much easier for customers to understand and compare the true cost of the transfer – and can be much cheaper, too.
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Western Union Money Transfers Viainterac E
How do you send money transfers with Western Union® via Interac e-Transfer®?
Protect Yourself From Fraud
Only use Western Union to send money to friends and family. Never send money to someone you have not met in person. Scammers sometimes encourage people to transfer money. Do not transfer money to anyone who asks you to send them money:
- For an emergency situation you havent confirmed.
- For an online purchase.
- For a credit card or loan fee.
- To claim lottery or prize winnings.
- For anti-virus protection.
- For a deposit or payment on a rental property.
- For a mystery shopping assignment
- For a job opportunity.
- To pay taxes or
- To resolve an immigration matter
If you transfer money, the person youre sending it to gets the money quickly. After the money is paid, Western Union may not be able to give you a refund, even if you are the victim of fraud, except under limited circumstances. If you believe that you are the victim of fraud, call the Western Union Fraud Hotline at 1800 448-1492 or visit
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Western Union Money Transfers
Western Union® Online Money Transfer makes it easy to send and receive Western Union transfers directly to/from your Woodforest account using Online Banking or our Mobile Banking App*. Not enrolled in Woodforest Online Banking? Enroll today!
Send and receive money 24/7 from the convenience of your computer or mobile device.
Desktop 1. to Woodforest Online Banking. 2. Access the Transfers tab. 3. Go to the Western Union section. |
Mobile 1. Open the Woodforest Mobile Banking App*. 2. Access the main menu . |
Send up to $950 per day to over 200 countries and territories. |
Receive Western Union transfers directly into your Woodforest account. |
Funds can be transferred with either Western Union’s Money in Minutes or Next Day service**. Funds are available for pick up at any participating Western Union agent location worldwide or through Woodforest Online Banking and the Woodforest Mobile Banking app for valid account holders.
Only use Western Union for sending money to friends and family. Never send money to someone you have not met in person. Scammers sometimes encourage people to transfer money.
Do not transfer money to anyone who asks you to send them money:
If you transfer money, the person you are sending it to gets the money quickly. After the money is paid, Western Union may not be able to give you a refund, even if you are the victim of fraud, except under limited circumstances.
To learn more about how to protect yourself from fraud, visit .
Whats considered an issue?
A Straightforward Way To Send Money Overseas With Multiple Transfer Options
Western Union has a gigantic global network of agent locations and bank connections that makes it easy to send money to almost anywhere. You can transfer this money fast for higher fees, or a bit slower for lower fees, depending on your needs and resources. However, given Western Unions history of customer complaints and lawsuits, maybe consider looking at smaller money transfer providers who have a better track record and also offer better exchange rates and lower fees. Having said that, Western Union will almost always be a cheaper option than your bank, especially when sending one-off transfers or to remote destinations.
Why should I consider Western Union?
- Established service. Western Union has managed both domestic and international money transfers since 1871.
- Huge network. With over 500,000 agent locations worldwide in more than 200 countries, Western Union is one of the worlds largest money transfer providers. There are more than 42,000 agent locations in the US alone.
- Flexible transfer options. With a mix of online and agent locations services, you can choose to pay with cash, credit, debit, bank accounts and more. Also, Western Unions business transfer options let you use hedging tools to get even more flexibility.
- Fast transfers. Some transfers through Western Union be received within minutes, which helps in an emergency or when you dont want to wait a few days for your transfer to go through.
What to be aware of
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