How to send money through Western Union – Are you looking to send money to family, friends, or clients abroad, the cross-border money transfer solution should be your best pick.
Interestingly, the Western Union money transfer platform provides the gateway through which you can send money to anyone across the world.
The following are reasons you may need to send money;
Note: Western Union is one of the leading cross-border money transfer platforms, however, funds are sent and received by individuals and not organizations.
This implies that funds sent cannot be received by a third party, but rather by a second party whose such fund is being sent in his/her name.
That said, in this guide you will learn how to send money through Western Union provided you are in a location/country where outbound transfers are enabled.
Western Union is a global financial services company that provides money transfer and payment services.
The process of sending money through Western Union typically involves the following steps:
Find a Western Union Location: To send money through Western Union, you need to locate a Western Union agent or location near you.
These locations can include banks, retail stores, post offices, and standalone Western Union branches.
Provide Identification: When you visit a Western Union location, you'll need to provide a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driver's license, to confirm your identity.
Complete a Send Money Form: You will be given a send money form to fill out. This form typically includes details such as the recipient's name, location, and the amount you want to send. You'll also need to specify whether the recipient will pick up the money in cash or have it deposited into a bank account.
Pay for the Transfer: You'll need to pay for the money transfer, which includes the principal amount you want to send, as well as a fee for Western Union's service.
The fee can vary depending on the amount being sent, the destination, and the speed of the transfer.
Receive a Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN): After you've completed the form and made the payment, the Western Union agent will provide you with a Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN).
This unique number is essential for Western Union tracking and claiming the transfer by the receiver.
Share the MTCN with the Recipient: You should share the MTCN with the recipient, along with any other necessary information, such as the sender's name, the amount sent, and the location of the Western Union agent.
Recipient Picks Up the Money: The recipient can visit a Western Union agent location in their area, fill out a receive money form, and present their identification along with the MTCN. They will receive the transferred funds in cash.
Where such a transfer is sent through the receiver’s bank account, the fund will be withdrawn through the bank.
Confirmation and Tracking: You can use the MTCN to track the status of the money transfer online or by contacting Western Union's customer service.
Tips: Be sure to capture the correct name of a preferred receiver as it’s contained on their primary ID card in their residence country.
Avoid typo errors in their name on such a transfer, where you input the wrong name, or involve a typo either through commission or omission, such a transfer cannot be paid out to the receiver at the agent location.
Where this is the case, you will need to do a Western Union change receiver name before such funds can be paid out.
You will need the following information;
How much does Western Union charge to send $100?
Western Union charges between $0.65 and $3.76 to send $100 in a situation where you are sending from bank to bank.
The cost will be higher if you choose a different sending or receiving method.
Can I send $5,000 through Western Union?
You will need to verify your identity if you are looking to send more than $3,000 from the United States.
Once verified, you can send up to $50,000.
You may verify your identity online or at any agent location in the States.
However, the sending limit varies subject to the destination country and the service you choose.
How long does it take for Western Union to transfer money?
Money is usually delivered in minutes for pick up at the agent location, while next-day pick up is usually available the next day.
Direct to bank deposit takes between 2-5 business days, but could vary based on the country.
How to send money through Western Union is not a difficult task, you will have to find an agent location, bank, or store in your residence country.
To send Western Union money transfer will only be possible where the outbound service is available in the sender’s residence country.
However, you will need a few details to complete the transfer which include but are not limited to your valid identification card, the receiver’s complete name, the amount you are looking to send, receiver’s country/location.
Where you’ve initiated a transfer successfully, a money transfer control number (MTCN) is generated, and you are required to share it as well as a few details with the receiver so they can track and claim the transfer.