Western Union Money Transfer - Beware !

[adimangla]

Hi Folks,

My fiance, who joined a reputed UK Bank last month was duped out of 1500 pounds when the money she transferred to an acquaintance through Western Union was collected by someone else.

The sad part is that the company failed to either verify the fraudster's details properly or to redress the problem that my fiance thus faced. Numerous rounds to police stations and Western Union offices have yielded no results and the police has refused to even lodge a formal complaint.

The reason why I'm posting this here is, that a police officer told her that they had been receiving an increased number of such complaints involving Western Union off late and had no system in place to deal with it.

Has anyone of you been in such trouble and what steps did you take to retrieve your money?

[qbal]

Never used western union, and never would either, but in my mind, if they have failed to verify the identity of the person collecting the money then they are at fault and should refund your loss.

According to their website, these are the procedures for collection:
15. How do I pick up a money transfer?
You may pick up your money transfer at any Agent location. You will need to complete a "To Receive Money" form with the following information:

• name
• address
• amount expected
• sender's name
• sender's telephone number
• city and state being sent from

Valid identification is also required.

Some restrictions may apply. </SPAN>

16. What is considered valid identification to pick up a money transfer?
Identification requirements are determined by your residency status and the amount of the money transfer.

For UK residents, a passport or driving license with photo is valid. For non-UK residents, a passport, country issued identification or driving license with photos is valid.

£600 to £1999.99: one form of primary identification verifying the full name.

Where no primary ID is presented: one form of primary identification verifying the full name (Birth certificate, etc.) and one form of non-primary identification verifying the current/permanent address (utility bill, a letter from a hostel manager confirming temporary residence, etc.)

For amounts from £2000 and above: one form of identification verifying the full name and one form of identification verifying the current/permanent address. The same document must not be used to verify both name and address.

Can you verify how you sent the money and whether you have any evidence that they didn't get the proper verification from the collector? If you can get enough evidence of fault together then you can take them to civil court for it. If they did not follow their procedure for verifying the collector then they have breached the contract they have with you.

As far as I know the police have no jurisdiction as there has been no crime committed unless someone can prove internal fraud (ie an employee is getting a friend to collect money by giving them details).

Any more info you can provide would help.

[Ann83]

I also have a bad experience with WU.

I have paid a deposit of 500 euros thru WU to somebody I havent seen.Ok, its my fault.

Then she wanted me to provide a proof that I would be able to pay the rent in the future, etc, so we have agreed that I'm going to send money to my friend (just fill out a form to my friends name) then she will have a look at it and if its OK I can cash the money...I even rang WU office if they are really requering ID, etc. When I went to the post office and paid this second instalment of 1100 euros, the lady has asked me an ID and filled out a form, put on my ID number, etc. I thought it was the normal way and this is how it should happen when somebody wants to pick up the money. So I put my friends name on it, and this girl or man was able to pick the money somehow.


It was not the first time, she keep sending out her fake passport as a proof since last year, and I still cant believe how the police cannot do anything.

I'd really like to sue WU, as it's just simple ridiculous, that it keep happening for ages. They are not warning their costumers that actually anybody can pick up the money, even without providing an ID.

I have lost 1700 euro alltogether. Garda just dont do anything.


Anybody has any idea pls???? I want to fight for my money and for the future victims as well...

[yourbank]

Are you a victim of the person who you sent the money to OR that Western Union allowed somebody who was not the beneficiary receiving the money?
Did the person who you sent the 1700 Euros con you or did WU allow someone else to pick up the money?(needed to clarify the question).

[Mrs.Wifey]

Hi Folks,

My fiance, who joined a reputed UK Bank last month was duped out of 1500 pounds when the money she transferred to an acquaintance through Western Union was collected by someone else.

The sad part is that the company failed to either verify the fraudster's details properly or to redress the problem that my fiance thus faced. Numerous rounds to police stations and Western Union offices have yielded no results and the police has refused to even lodge a formal complaint.

The reason why I'm posting this here is, that a police officer told her that they had been receiving an increased number of such complaints involving Western Union off late and had no system in place to deal with it.

Has anyone of you been in such trouble and what steps did you take to retrieve your money?

My husband and I have used WU numerous times! I'm quite surprised that you've had this problem---it sounds quite fishy, to be honest. I mean, how did somebody else even KNOW that you'd sent the money?

My mother lives overseas and often sends money as a gift. She has to provide ID and an address just to send it, and she receives a confirmation number. When we collect the money (receive it) we have to put the confirmation number and show ID, and it's not just a case of flashing a driver's license either! The clerk takes the ID and enters in a ton of info and verifies everything in the computer, then she asks for either me or my husband's profession. When we've used hole-in-the-wall WU points (some small corner shops actually have WU), the money cannot be collected without phoning WU and giving details of the ID and verifying everything.

Hence why I think something is very fishy.

[BOF1951]

Very strange!

I use Western Union to send money to my son in Europe and have never had a single problem. I set up an online account with WU and it is very easy to use and, so far, very secure.

I set the amount to be sent, who to and where it is to be picked up. I then get an email with a free telephone number to call; I answer some questions and the money is released. I get a reference number which I then text to my son. It takes about 10 minutes in total.

I do not know what happened here, but there is definitely something wrong somewhere!

BOF

[Ann83]

Dear yourbank,

im trying to clarify the situation:

this person put an ad on the internet, she was advertising an apartment and i have decided to take it however i have only seen pictures. so i have sent 500 euros deposit to her. Later on i hav found out that it was a scam, as they were using someone else ID. I mean the name of the girl is Louise, and she was a victim as well last year. she appplied for a flat paid and lost the dposit and has sent her copy of passport to the thief and now they are keep using her ID, and put fake ads on the internet. but this passport has never been stolen, and it has been changed last year. obvoiusly i have sent a copy of the prrof to this person so she or he could pick up the money. but im wondering how as she or he only had a copy of passport which is no longer valid.

then i made a second payment cause she / he wanted to see if i had money to pay the rent. i was not happy with this idea, but we have agreed that i would put my friend name as the receiver so she/he wont be able to pick up the money however she/he wanted to check if the money is available so i have sent again the proof. she/he knew who im sending the money to, but even wu told me on the phone that they would ALWAYS reqire a valid ID so I felt safe in this situation. once i have sent her/him the proof my money has been collected 2 hrs later. so its two different stories. wu keep mailing me and say that they are not dealing with it and will transfer my query to france to UK everywhere. the police doesnt do anything, but I think Ill go to the court.

if anybody has ever sued wu; please tell me the outcome. im just afraid even if im right i wont be able to win against a such a big company.thanks
ann

[yourbank]

Why are you wanting to sue Western Union when they have simply followed the details that you have given to them. You are a victim of a classic scam. You do need to report it to the police and get some advice on how to proceed. I am afraid you would have to prove that Western Union were party to the fraud. I wish you had taken some advice from here PRIOR to sending money. I would have said as many others would that it is a scam.
Did you pay cash or did you pay by credit card?
As soon as Western Union is mentioned as a payment method, my "SCAM ALERT" radar switches on especially the circumstances.

[gadgetgirl79]

Originally Posted by Ann83

I also have a bad experience with WU.

I have paid a deposit of 500 euros thru WU to somebody I havent seen.Ok, its my fault.

Then she wanted me to provide a proof that I would be able to pay the rent in the future, etc, so we have agreed that I'm going to send money to my friend (just fill out a form to my friends name) then she will have a look at it and if its OK I can cash the money...I even rang WU office if they are really requering ID, etc. When I went to the post office and paid this second instalment of 1100 euros, the lady has asked me an ID and filled out a form, put on my ID number, etc. I thought it was the normal way and this is how it should happen when somebody wants to pick up the money. So I put my friends name on it, and this girl or man was able to pick the money somehow.


It was not the first time, she keep sending out her fake passport as a proof since last year, and I still cant believe how the police cannot do anything.

I'd really like to sue WU, as it's just simple ridiculous, that it keep happening for ages. They are not warning their costumers that actually anybody can pick up the money, even without providing an ID.

I have lost 1700 euro alltogether. Garda just dont do anything.


Anybody has any idea pls???? I want to fight for my money and for the future victims as well...

The rent scam using WU is a common one, and if you google it, you'll find 100s of others who have sent money to a friend to "verify that they can pay the rent", and then low and behold the money disappears and someone else has taken it out.

Here's a few examples:
Netcred Security Centre: Western Union Fraud
flat deposit scam with western union
Flat rent - Western Union possible scam in The AnswerBank: Home & Garden

Perhaps you should try and get in touch with other victims?

[Ann83]

I know now theres plenty of stories on the internet, but people are not aware of it until something wrong happens.

thats fair enough my fault that i sent money to somebody i didnt know; but thats why i rang WU before making the transfer to make sure that they would require a valid ID. As i have also provided an ID when I sent the mony and they have even put it down on the paper. the number of my ID; expiry date, date of birth; etc. SO i really want to know the same info. they are just simply liar cause they didnt say a word about it on their website or on the phone "be aware, people can pick up your money if they know the MTCN number".

i have spoken to the mother of the girl who was scammed last year (her copy of passport has been sent to me) she is in the same city as me but hasnt contacted me yet....

police is just simply slow they are not really interested.

wu is the same, they say to contact Wu France; then WU UK; then the post office as i have sent my money from a post office, now i have received a mail to contact them again by phone for further assistance.... no comment...

i still believe they need to prove that they have paid my money to the correct person. if they wont be able to tell me then i will sue them. its part of their job. i paid a huge amount for fees 36 +50 euros; for this money they dont do anything??