I had an experience trying to use WU to pay for an order from a certain vendor.

They called me after I made the transfer saying that they couldn't let it go through until I provided some "receiver identification". Basically they wanted the receiver's date of birth, phone number, and/or government ID number.

At first I said I did not have this information on hand. But then I realized that WU can't possibly know if the phone number / DoB is correct or not. So I Googled the area code for the location of this vendor, and made up a fake phone number and DoB. Called back and all was good; the transaction was sent through.

Anyone else have this experience? This was the first time for me and I have used WU probably 100 times. They must just be trying to make you prove that you know the receiver... even though this "security measure" can be easily circumvented.

I haven't had this happen yet but I've only used WU a couple of times. I guess that's true that WU can't know their phone number. I would have thought that the DOB might have to match the ID that was given when picking up the money, but who knows.

That's not an unreasonable assumption to make. My transfer was picked up without any problems, though.

I just thought this might help someone who has the same problem.

Yeah definitely. I will remember this if it ever happens to me. Thanks!

I have been having some similar issues but hadn't thought of that. I may try something similar.

Yeah, I have read theories that they have certain "flagged" receivers in their database, and when a suspect name comes up, they ask you for a phone number and date of birth to verify that the receiver you're sending to is not a "bad person," but rather just another individual that happens to have the same name as the "bad person."

In reality, though, how much can they really know? I have a feeling that it's just standard policy for some countries now... when they see someone transferring some large quantity of money from the US to one of these countries, they ask you these questions so that you can claim to know the receiver more personally.

Why it only happens sometimes and not always, I don't know. Either way, it must be at least somewhat effective at thwarting the casual buyer (it made me hang up at first when I didn't have the information).

Western Union must have a policy in place regarding the country,amount of transfer,and a data base of questionable receivers.I have used the service close to 100 times and have never been asked anything.Some receivers names I could not pronounce.
I usually stay under $250.00.To avoid any accumulation of personal information on my transactions,I do not give W.U.the same sender name and number very often.They would not be able to phone me,and I assumed if the clerk gave me the #MTCN the money was sent.Never thought they might call later,after the paperwork was complete.
The primary service of W.U.is to get money to a family member or friend in need of cash.If that person called collect from a pay phone and you don't know their birthday-too bad?
If they start to ask a lot of questions about a confidential matter other options will take the business from W.U.

whenever you do it by phone they ask you a million questions probably to cut down on CC theft. when its cash they dont care because theres no risk to them

if you go to the courtesy desk in a grocery store where they do the returns, cash checks, sell loto and WU. they dont ask you much. theres that question answer thing you can add to the form if the receiver doesnt have ID.

I had that happen one time, and I just contacted the shipper and they gave me another recievers name.. I found out later that the reciever must of recieved there limit of money...

Yes, it happened to me as well. WU said that the receiver name had been flagged and they wanted to see if mine was perhaps a different person with the same name as the flagged one. I contacted the vendor and they sent back a phone number and address to use. I'm sure it was fake or belonged to someone else, because when I called WU back to provide the info, they let the transfer go through.

I have no doubt my receiver had legitimately been flagged!

I just had the same thing happen this week when dealing with one of the SY group. When they asked me for more info on the receiver I supplied DOB. Then they said they would have to refer me to their security department. When they picked up the phone I was agitated already as a consumer spending money with this company. I demandad to know what the problem was and she then meekly said this person had 2 payments in the system. She then asked me to confirm all the info and then released the transfer. They are getting to be a pain in the arse.

I've had this happen several times. My vendor knows the drill, and will immediately provide me with the required information so that my order can go through same-day. It's just part of doing business in this way. Although, yes, the first time I did sort of freak out because the WU rep who called me said that the receiver had been flagged as a "criminal" and although he was SURE that MY guy was someone with the same name and not the criminal in question, they had to ask for the info.

This is why you should think twice about providing a false phone number. I have become friends with my WU lady at my local supermarket, and she showed me the mistakes I had been making (e.g. using the same phone number with multiple addresses,duh!) and told me it is really best to just use my own name, address, phone number. If I provided a fake telephone number, there would have been several instances where I would not have known that my order had been flagged and that would've created misunderstandings with my vendor, etc. I'd rather take the risk of using my own number and know I will be informed if something goes wrong.

I hope a certain unnamed group of folks will use this thread to continue instead of posting on a official thread dedicated to a specific iop.

Question??

Is it right (not against the Rules apearently) to post specific WU details containg the receivers name and location or personal emails? Recently it has happened and several of us are rightfully concerned. I only hope people will stop reposting or quoting and including it their posts. With that said, I have done it. I don't regret my reason for doing it becuase I was trying to warn people of a scan. This last situation was not the case and I beleive it was just an unfortunate mistake. How do people feel about this. Again I hope people will refrain from use names and keep it general from this point.

I'd prefer if names/receivers etc were not posted for obvious reasons. Would you want someone getting wise on your receiver info and then closing down an otherwise good source?

This thread is for WU only, not vendor info.
I would HATE to see any personal info of the receiver or vendor UNLESS it has been a proven scam.
Actually, if it were a proven scam, it should be in the blacklist thread, not here.

I hate WU! and really wish vendors could find a way to move on.
one of these days its going to backfire on us, badly.

Exactly. I hope people can post on here without discussing a specific vendor.



It happened.

Sarah,

I agree 99 percent. We know that sometimes a receiver winds up at the other end of several sources even ones on the black list. There should be a way to make people aware of the specific receiver so people don't just keep sending the same person money over and over that have stolen from people before and I can think of two right now. I know I was thanking GOD a post came up just minutes before I almost send money to known convict.

woah, really? god, wish they would stop using those *marked people.
This is why I hate the WU system, there is a huge bug still needing to be worked out.
I'm at the mercy of an order right now myself and can only hope the receiver is legit.
(I have seen the name before though- too bad they can't change them up more often)

note: one thing we could do, is PM each other within the appropriate BI thread with the names,
if there is any reason for caution, ya know?

I certainly hope so for you. I've done the same thing and would be right out lying if I said I have never sent money to someone I didn't know. Thankfully members have been helpful to me.

Unfortunately this last indecent I believe was a mistake by an eager new member.

Those having WU issues, were the WUT's (WU transfers) done online or in person?

Of those having issues, is it just SY or elsewhere? I think they may be all over the SY scene.

I got a debit card from WU but I'm too chicken to activate it.

didnt know they had them.
yes, I'd be leery. Talk about having all the info
at their fingertips!

I think they should use (or alternate) the Q&A feature, thereby sending the funds to a partner in Southern Cali. This way the receiver names do not have go public, are not always Mexican surnames, they don't need ID, and there would be no limits on WUT's. They would simply collect the funds when they ship and while returning to Mexico. This would hardly be a change in ops and it would defeat WU current tracking focus IMO.

I'm having problems with WU pmts to SY.
I sent out a pmt last week in person and they called requesting that I provide the receivers address, phone number, or passport number...which my guy provided and it went through. I was just happy that I didn't have to go back to the store to fix the problem.

I went to send a pmt last monday and they had a new field on the form requiring a phone number. I asked for a phone #, and my guy has not responded to me since...which is unlike him.

As for WU online, about a year ago I opened a WU online account and sent one pmt and it hasn't worked since. I've tried several times and not one has gone through. They wouldn't tell me why they were declined, and said they weren't obligated too.

Gammax,

I was having the same problem when I first started using western union online. Sometimes it went through, sometimes it didn't. I finally was told that it works best to use a debit card vs credit card for WU online. Ever since I've started using a debit card, I've NEVER been declined or had any problems!!

Thank you Latus, I used my debit card and after a call to confirm a couple things it went through! I really appreciate your advice, I hated going to the store to send WU pmts.

I'm in the same boat. The stores around here that have WU payments ask too many questions (they are being overly friendly, nothing to do with WU policies). I used to get a ton of weird looks when they see I was shipping money to mexico...lol

I have only sent a few times, but it makes me nervous. They ask if you have sent to this person before. Whats the right answer, yes or no?? LOL

I am afraid they see me sending all this $ to different people and will want to know why.

I think it's all in our heads personally, lol.

I have that same nervous feeling, which is why online makes it a whole lot easier!!