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After having made transfers internationally using Western Union for three and a half years with absolutely no problems whatsoever, with an average of three to four transfers per month, I attempted to make another online transfer and the website told me to call a representative. After doing so, I was informed by the representative that I am no longer permitted to use their service now or in the future. I seek an explanation from the representative but he says he cannot say and for me to write to an address but that it will take months for a reply if I get one at all. The rep claims there is a very good reason for the permanent denial of service but refused to say what that reason was.
This is unbelievable. It is unfair business practice. It is tantamount to accusing someone of something and not specifying for what they are accused. Western Union has benefited from my business for the past three and a half years, and now they refuse to even answer why they permanently bar me from using their service? They are an irresponsible company. They show no consideration for their customers. They claim to have corporate integrity as specified on their website that they "do business each day with an absolute commitment to ethics, honesty and credibility", and that their "employees and Agents foster trust, so [their] consumers are confident their transactions are fast and reliable."
This is false.
Western Union has prevented someone from supporting their loves ones. They have made them encounter hardship. No food, no water, no electricity. And for what reason? What justification?
Western Union offers none, and Western Union offers no means for conflict resolution, so that any misunderstanding may be clarified. This is irresponsible.
Western Union is an irresponsible company because it acts without consideration for its customers. Western Union places corporate interests above those of serving the needs of its customers. If Western Union is going to impose bans on customers, then as a company it is ethically and morally obligated to identify the reason, justify the reason, and provide evidence to substantiate the reason, otherwise it is arbitrary. If it cannot do those things, it acts without integrity, without consideration, and with a blatant disregard for the welfare of its customers and their loved ones.
I strongly discourage anyone from using Western Union. Even after three and a half years of using their service without any problems, they will for reasons they will not disclose block, ban, or otherwise bar you from using their service as it so interests them. Based on my personal experience, they conduct themselves with unfair business practices and should be avoided. There are other money transfer services that act with significantly more integrity, lower fees and better exchange rates than Western Union.
I was banned because I was a part of a class action lawsuit against Western Union that they lost. Soon after the ruling I was banned from using Western Union to send or receive money. Is this legal? It seems like revenge to me.
Our company has had every employee banned now and NEVER have we been provided a single reason for any of our people being banned. Moneygram is way better but has a smaller reach. The unfair business practices and extremely poor customer service provided to business accepting this WU payments mean you can't count on this business and if you use them make sure you get your money before they ban you don't leave it with them and collect it later!
I certainly agree with TSRaven25 as I have experienced the same unreasonable actions from Western Union after sending money to my relatives for the past 5 years now...there should be a way to galvanize the population to fight back against Western Union whether be a Class Action suit or department of Professional regulations that governs their license. I often wonder if upper management is aware of their practice or is this a cavalier action by their security department?..there needs to me a movement to expose this practice because I am sure thousands of customers have been victims of this which was an intent to stop radical groups from funding their operations and money laundering and its the honest customers who are targeted in the effort for their security department I believe to justify their employment...this is really total injustice indeed!
Totally agree they did same to me after two years.
I was banned from sending or receiving money from western union.the money I send is from my job and is for my wifes family in the phillipines.they depend on our financial help for food.i or my family have done absolutely nothing wrong.i have been using western union for years and have sent many thousands of dollars through this company.i totally agree with these post here on this web site.i think its disgusting what they do to people, also im very concerned that they put my name in a bad lite with my government.in this day and age who knows what will happen when homeland security looks at people who are banned from using western union.i intend on filing a complaint with nj dept.of banking, and also seeking an attorney to file a law suit against western union.if anybody has any information please help
I also have just run into the same situation with Western Union. After 4 years of sending money to my family overseas without any issues while we are mitigating through immigration issues, I was just told that I could no longer use Western Union. The real change in WU activity recently was due to my wife's hospitalization and they cut us off (thankfully just after she got out). I'm still trying to follow up. But they seem unwilling to give me any reason for the decision. Right now I'm livid about this. The only good thing about this post is that it seems I'm clearly not alone with this situation. It is morally and ethically irresponsible the way they handle things of this nature. When they do this, there is the real potential that people can get seriously hurt. I'm with Bagawire, something really needs to be done about this ridiculous no explanation banning. We have done nothing wrong yet are being treated like criminals and the fall out can have deeper effects on reputation.
Well it seems there must be a list that is available to ALL online money transfer services. My problem began with WU, same story as the rest in this post, I used them for 10 years, then out of the blue I am banned forever. No explanations, they just said they have to follow banking rules. I was finally given an "interview" it was actually an interrogation. I was asked about every person I sent money too, why I sent, how I was related to them, when was the last time I actually saw them in person, where my money comes from, , why I send so much, why I would send to my step children and not to my wife, and so on and so on. It was grueling and in the end I was told they did not like my answers, BAM! You are banned forever. Ok, , I can live with being banned from WU. I went to another online transfer service, XOOM, they allowed me to send 3 transfers then BAM! We are sorry to inform you that your account has been closed and you can't use our service again, , it is not open for discussion. WOW, Really? I tried sending them documents to prove who I am, , who my family is, , where I work, but no use, , so I went to Remit Home, , Same song and dance, , , so it appears there is some sort of money transfer blacklist. I did finally find a company that has so far allowed me to send, but not without delaying my send until they do some further checking, , , I am afraid they also will cut me off as this is what happened with XOOM and Remit Home. I feel this is can't possibly be legal, , to accuse you of something and not even tell you what rule they think you have broken, It is the same as being accused of a crime and not knowing what crime or having any way to defend yourself. I too am looking for an attorney to help me find out more of what is happened. I too have family in the Philippines that rely solely on me for all of their support, Food, Water, Power, school. I have no other way to get them money. I know the problem can't be with me as I work for a company supporting the US military and I have a clearance, , and I was allowed during all of this to open a new bank account with Navy Federal Credit Union. So it is not a banking blacklist. I don't know what list it is, I continue to search the internet.
I have a similar situation with Western Union in Trinidad being banned because I was trying to send money to a friend stuck in Malaysia. They refund the transact twice and had the nerve to tell me I'm banned. I got a number to call that they claim is toll free only to be told I have to paytwo dollars per minute. Come on western Union be more professional
My mom was stuck in nigeria anf ahe was sick they did same to me smh
Dear
I have the same experience with Wester Union,
I'm preparing take action on Facebook and Publish the stories of people who like you and me
I would like to ask for your permission to Publish your story on Wester Union facbook page, twitter and other social media,
Maybe i can change something, maybe i can save some people money..
I do not know..
But I want to try
Thanks
Jacek
I'm interested Jacek my name is Joseph.I went through the same mess with them recently.and now I am blocked from money gram and Did services.PS I know this is an old post a few year's ago but I would like an update on how things are going with suit and what can I do to help.
I used Westrrn Union for 2 years They just oit of the blue said you cant send money First they interviewed me like i was on the first 48 like they put me under hot lamp I answered there questions then they told me to screw Can i have all the money back you took for my business I hope someone or myself stands up against this Then 24 hours later Money gram barred me if I was doing anything illegal i sure in hell wouldnt have answered there stupid questions you offer a service perform the servoce or tell us why we are dismissed you pieces of [censor]
Ya westernunion an money gram banned me for purchasing perfectly legal product from indonesia for my small business. I used a friend for a few transfers after then wwnt entirely to bitcoin an wont go back. Never liked wu rude clerks anyway.
I was amazed to search the internet and find so many other people that have experienced the same encounter with wu as I did. After years of using the service to send money to friends all over the world, I was banned from western union for life. I even went through the lengthy process of explaining several transactions in writing hoping to have the decision reversed.
I am left to feel that somehow I have violated some law, or have been involved in some sort of illegal activity which I offered repeatedly to certify that I was not. As with everyone else, I was never given the exact reason for being banned. I even asked for guidelines to follow that would satisfy their inspection to no avail.
The ultimate insult is that I still receive emails from western union inviting me to use their services, and even tell me that I have accumulated credits towards my next transaction. If someone should organize an effort to create a legal front in some sort of actionable suit against western union for this practice, please post here and I will be happy to join in.
Hey I Ross my name is Joseph Brownlee.I feel your pain I'm will fight until justice is served against this company
I am in whenever you ready because western union has to be held accountable for treating honest ppl as criminals
I’m in also. This is bs I cant send any money because they said so. My money and my family can’t get it.
Wow! Amazing. I just had my experience today hence I decided to come online to see what's going on. I am in Jamaica when my mom and sisters in the USA. Of course they send me funds quite regularly as needed. Yesterday when mom sent a friend won she usually asks to send the funds for her she was not allowed to send it. So my sister took it and completed the transaction. Lo and behold when I went to pick it up today after the long wait in the line went through the entire procedures with the agent and was about to sigh I got the shocker ;I have been permanently banned. I just stood their lost and possibly embarrassed. What nasty irresponsible company destroying the dignify of upright citizens. Something needs to be done. This is ridiculous.
I thought i was the only one, today i got the exact same response. I have been using them for over a year, not once have i had an issue..but it started today. I called customer service, first guy sounded a like robot. I asked to be speak with someone that could help me, was transferred. The rep was completely useless all he told me is you have been restricted, asked why? i have been using for over a year. After i kept asking for a reason, guy hangs up on me. I called again, no really answers ..told me to email and that i would get a response in 5-7 business days.
Customer service is horrible, everyone there sounds like they dont want to be there...it was awful.
I used Western Union to transfer money to my family in Tanzania. I am a Finnish citizen and I was sending money from Finland to Tanzania. After two years of money transfers WU blocked me to use any service WU provides. WU did not give me any explanation why I'm banned. I think WU is one of the worst financial operators in the world and it seems like they can do what ever they want to do. Luckily normal online banking has developed so much that there's no need for WU services in the future anymore.
I feel bad for those people that do not have a normal bank account and they are forced to use expensive WU services. Someone somewhere with enough authority should look into WU operations put an end to the arbitrary way of doing business and treating people.
I am shocked to read so many similar stories of abuse, bullying, stereotyping, profiling and discrimination of innocent customers by Western Union. I am surprised that Western Union is allowed to perpetuate these injustices without consequences. Lets us unite and fight back.
Thank you for reading my story. I am appealing for your support to challenge institutional stereotyping, racial prejudice and discrimination of customers by Western Union. As a victim, I am kindly appealing to you for solidarity, financial and/or moral support to raise legal fees to challenge these injustices in court. You can donate, or send a message of support and solidarity anonymously if you so wish. https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/unite-against-westernunion
Together we can make a difference. I never thought it could happen to me. But I was wrong. From the stories I have read on this forum Western Union targets and destroys people's lives without any accountability. Today its me, and tomorrow it could be you, your loved ones, or your family. Someone has to make a stand. In my opinion, Western Union flouts customers' rights and then wields its financial muscle and influence to bully and cower customers into silence with impunity. Let us put a stop to these injustices by making a united stand.
I have been a loyal customer of Western Union for almost two decades, using their services to remit funds to support less privileged members of the community in Africa. But it all changed when Western Union, without notice, or explanation, inexplicably, and arbitrarily suspended my account and blacklisted me from using their services.
When I challenged Western Union, they were evasive and disingenuous, citing cleverly crafted sections of the terms and conditions and vague compliance requirements as a diversionary tactic to hide discriminatory practices. Since then I have been fighting to have the decision rescinded without success. Worryingly Western Union routinely targets and blacklists 'certain' customers without due process as evidenced by complaints on social media from disgruntled customers.
I have since launched legal proceedings against Western Union and their powerful solicitors are throwing everything at me and threatening to ruin me. However I am determined to fight and raise awareness of these injustices.
Given the above, I am therefore appealing for your moral and financial support to raise legal fees to fight these injustices in court. I look forward to your support.
Please visit my page. https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/unite-against-westernunion
Thank you
Hi my name is Joseph hi I'm also a victim of this that has also blocked me.but because of western union I am also blocked by money gram as well.very disappointed.I can not give for now until I can verify this website, and who you are sorry but I just be cautious but if all is good I'm in.thanks for fighting with us.
seems its blocking season with WU. funny thing is i used to be an agent for them many years ago so its really ironic. three transactions were refunded for me, on while my child was in the hospital and her father in Canada was trying to assist me with funds. After numerous calls to the CC who has no clue and serious communication issues my sender was told that i had to "validate" myself via an email to their Global Consumer Reinstatements or compliance department. This was a series of back and forth as their questions were sender focused and wanted information on how i was funding transactions but as a receiver i kept explaining that i was not funding any transactions.
This went on from April 12th 2018 and no resolve or response to my queries and completed form i sent another email yesterday May 9th asking what was the status only to get a response today May 10th 2018 that i was banned from sending and receiving WU transaction.
No reasons just an email invoking their rights to refuse service to me. Awesome company!
thank God that options exists although it leaves a bitter taste to have a mark against my name based on a pencil pushes whim. Now i will encourage everyone to use every other option available to send money to their families instead of Western Union. they forgot that that the same customers that made them are the same customers that can break them.
Now I'm joining the "banned for life" club. Can't send to my fiance ... no explanation given.
I am too in the same boat! If someone finally decides to do a class action suit or something I will like to join. After using them since 2012 and sending multiple of transactions a month they decide to ban me. I do send money to different people but all my relatives in the same town. I explain all that to them. They are in Mexico and the life down there is no where near here in the U.S. since I’ve been in there shoes I like to help them out as much as I can. Because I know of poverty. I was fine being banned from westernunion but now money gram bans me because of westernunion. So pissed off
Hey I'm in the same boat because of western union I am banned from money gram and riaservices.without any explanation.I'm very disappointed with these company's especially western union
Hello!
My sister was also banned from receiving and sending money thru WU for lifetime, just today in the Philippines, as per call from a WU representative -US based. She is receiving / sending money for years. WU didn’t provide any clear reason for blocking her to do transactions. WU should be given sanctions with this regard, since it is very unethical to be banned without any clear reason.
Seems like this is a growing trend...Add one more to the list...Firstly if you are banned then they hold information about you. Send them a email asking to disclose all information held by them about you (normally named "subject access". They cannot charge a fee for this. Once you receive this (they have 1 month to respond) you can then ask for all your personal data to be deleted and your account to be deleted. (Articles 12, 17 and 23 and Recitals (65) and (66) of the GDPR). Here is a great article...
The general principle is that a company must have a good reason to have your details on file, and must delete them if that reason no longer applies. (you deleted your account with WU) If they do have a good reason, though, then you don't have an automatic right to demand they delete your records. It depends on the circumstances.
To give an obvious example, if you default on a big loan, then the bank will record that information in your file. You can't demand that your file be deleted to give you a perfect credit score and allow you to take out another loan! (dont really think this applies to WU but is a good example to go by)
You have the right to ask to see what details they hold about you (though they are allowed to charge you a fee for processing your request). You also have the right to insist on the information being correct, and if necessary amended.
You can demand that they delete the information about you if it is causing you "substantial damage or distress" and this effect is "unwarranted". However, this is something that you might have to prove in court. Hurt feelings or minor inconvenience would not be enough, if the company can prove they have a legitimate reason to store data about you.
So in a nutshell stop all activities with WU demand the subject access then demand that they delete all data from their systems.
Then as per other comments use another company which are far superior.
Regards
MPS
[censored] western union!
That’s right !
I have been sending and receiving money through WE for almost 10 years with no problem. My husband sends me money from Canada. Sometimes I´m doing better than him, and I send him a few dollars or when his seasonal job is over. I was banned from receiving money through WU, and I contacted them here in the Caribbean, and they were unable to help. They gave me an email to reach. As a reply from the email, they sent me a REINSTATEMENT FORM to be filled with all kinds of information, and to attach bank statements, trips, etc. I am more than happy to send all this info and even my scanned Marriage Certificate for almost 5 years, BUT first I demanded an answer from them, and they said it was a private policy. So they can´t disclosure why I was banned but they do EXPECT me to send my personal information like it´s just water. They can [censored] off. We took our business to another local branch which happens to have even more affordable fees!
I am truly sorry for those who cannot support their families because maybe only WU operates where their relatives live.
Next time I need to transfer money, I would rather wire through my bank and take 15 days than even think about WU.
PD: By the way, I told them I had no interest in getting reinstated. I won´t support companies with such poor customer value.
Good luck to all of you!
G.
Tried to do a transaction with someone I already did business with, I received an email that its being reviewed for 2 hours. Well, after 10 hours I decided to call them only to be told after half hour of waiting that I can no longer use the service. He couldn't even provide a reason, which tells me there's something shady going on. They sent me a "reinstatement" email, which I filled in but even if they do reinstate my account, I'm already looking at alternatives. They've permanently lost my business. I am hoping they go out of business soon or file bankrupt if they keep doing this to users because this is ridiculous. It's my own money and I should be able to send it to anyone I want.
gemr
Very interested to read all these posts. I have been using WU for several years to make charity transfers (from the UK to India mainly) because admin costs are then lower than bank charges and also some of the beneficiaries do not have bank accounts. The last transfer I tried to make in September I was first told on the phone that I could go ahead with it but when the recipient tried to collect the money he was told 'it had not arrived.' This was because, unknown to me until I phoned WU, the transfer had been cancelled. I was told I needed to contact GCR (which I had already done previously). I sent all the required information in September; just now, because I had heard nothing, I sent it again. I have now been told that I am banned, without any reason given like all these other people. I am warning anyone I know thinking of using WU to think again. This is disgraceful business practice.
I urgently need some assistance in tracking, recovering, and correcting a Western Union money transfer I made at Reise Bank branch at the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) in Heidelberg, Germany on 5(?) November 2017 to (name withheld for privacy) in Thailand.
My address at that time was Jellinekplatz 1, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany.
Both my and (the recipient’s) addresses had been in the Reise Bank/Western Union computer at that Heidelberg location because I had been sending him money transfers on occasion for many years there. I am also confident that two employees at that location would remember me and the fact that I sent money to (recipient) for many years there. I never once had a problem doing that, and from what I have been able to learn from Thailand in the meantime, the money did reach Thailand as planned, so if the money transfer number was incorrect, it must have been my mistake. The Western Union person in Thailand last week told (recipient) that the money had been sent back to bank in Germany where I purchased it. I finally found online in a tortuous, time-consuming search what was supposedly an e-mail address for that bank. I sent a mail and have yet to receive a response. There isn’t one ounce of sense of urgency on this matter from either Western Union or Reise Bank on this issue.
The amount was only 200 euros worth of Thai baht. To the best of my recollection, I think the amount was somewhere around 5, 700 baht. (The recipient) was unable to get the money because he told me the money transfer number I e-mailed him was incorrect. I thought the money transfer number was [protected].
I think the mistake must have been made by me when I copied the money transfer number from the receipt/transfer document I was given by the bank clerk who sold me the money order. That was very possible as I was also in the process of making a very stressful move by myself from Thailand to Huntsville, Alabama in the U.S., which I did make on 17 November shortly thereafter, plus I had completed cataract operation surgery a few weeks before that. So I could have made such a mistake under those circumstances with so many things to do after having spent almost 35 years straight living in Germany, especially if I didn't have my reading glasses with me (I often don't).
My present address is in Alabama. SOMEONE at Western Union must have it because I made complaints about it THAT WERE NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED BY WESTERN UNION OR REISE BANK. I fail to understand or see how any business as large as Western Union can fail to, as a minimum, treat legitimate complaints, or completely ignore them, like that. I cannot speak to any of the complaints against WU on this forum, but I can say that how WU in my case has behaved can’t be legal.
Western Union, or anyone else on this forum who can provide me with any information on how a case similar to mine can be resolved and the money lost returned to me or given to the intended recipient. My e-mail is hamildav@yahoo.com. Where did the money go? Who stole it?
The money was paid to WU. If I made a mistake, I have furnished MUCH more than enough data to get it either refunded or transferred to the intended recipient! I am talking about common sense, customer service, and a direct-line, SIMPLE contact mechanism that should be able to be resolved QUICKLY at any WU location.
Lastly, I am extremely tired of chasing my money. I am also almost 68 years old, have health issues, and like others whose complaints I have read about Western Union, I have other loved ones abroad who depend on me for support. My transactions for many, many years with a company I never had problems with should not be delayed because I might have misread a digit and sent an incorrect money transfer number to a loved one by mistake. I do not intend to let this go. To me, 200 euros is a lot of money.
Does no one in your company give a flying rip about customer service? Do I have to write Congress? I certainly will, I assure you.
I've been using WU for few years sending funds to my family in Russia. same story my transaction was declined, when I called them no explanations... Then Moneygram did the same, I would say Maneygram costumer service even worse than WU. they don't give you anything, I kept asking them is there anyone that I talk to, NO we sorry... WU at least gave me email to contact.. I have no Idea why treating so bad their costumers. they made my life difficult for NO reason...
Please forward this to xxxxx, who tried to send me $50.00 today and when I was in the store they told me it was refunded.
I contacted their customer support via chat and I've been told my name has been barred for life from Western Union, they wouldn't give me a reason.
He can probably go pick it back up, please ask him to send it to me via Zelle. The link is below. I know we have been as a family been using Wester Union 40 years but it is time to consider that period is over.
Here is a link to Zelle please use this
https://www.zellepay.com/
this is a much better service mom and it is free.
I know you don't have a lot of experience with phone apps but it is safe and free and the only way I can get money now.. you wont have to leave home either.
Apparently, this has been happening to a lot of people you can see a thread on this here:
Western Union — Banned from using service
Most of these people on this thread seem to be sending money out of the country unlike our family. Maybe the larger amount 2K you sent me to pay rent triggered some flag.
It was the $50.00 Larry sent me that apparently pushed Western Union over the edge.
https://www.aspkin.com/forums/making-money/92215-can-you-still-pick-up-western-union-moneygram-payments-if-name-blacklisted.html
The Western Union Rep told me I could send an email to GCR@westernunion.com and they would have me fill out a questionairre and maybe they would reconsider the decision in 5 to 7 business days.
GCR team please go ahead send me the questionairre.
I have pasted the text from the customer service engineer @ Western Union below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can you please confirm your First and Last Name?
7:41:39 PM
Me
xxxxxx
7:41:49 PM
Tony OPID 256
I apologize. Due to various laws and regulations across the countries where we do business, we are unable to complete this or any future transactions with you.
7:42:31 PM
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. If you would like to review this decision with Western Union, we need you to provide us with additional information. Would you like me to give you the instructions?
7:42:33 PM
Me
Yes
7:43:01 PM
Tony OPID 256
please send an email to GCR@westernunion.com. Upon receipt of the email, the department in charge will send you a questionnaire that you will need to fill out. All the information you share will remain confidential for Western Union internal use only.
7:45:26 PM
Please note that this review does not guarantee that the decision will be changed, but it will certainly be re-evaluated. This process typically takes between 5 and 7 business days from the moment information is received. After completion of the review, you will be contacted via email to notify the resolution.
I was recently banned a few days ago after trying to send money to my girlfriend in the Philippines. I've been a faithful and loyal customer for over 10 years and now all of a sudden, they pull the plug on me without even telling me anything. I asked them what violations have I broken, and they wouldn't tell me nothing.
Here is my full video rant telling what happened. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnMFMCVyRbI&t=4s
I also in a long distance relationship and western union did same to me .I know how it feels something has to be done.
I sent a Reinstatement Form in about 2 weeks ago and have been waiting a reply. By the sounds of this forum, it looks like I will be waiting a long time ... maybe forever. Most likely I will be blocked. What gets me is that this all makes no sense. Here in Australia every Post Office carries Western Union money forms. Yet this mistreatment of their clientele is going on. It is hard to believe it is happening.
Oh, they'll respond. But will likely deny reinstatement with no explanation other than "we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone." In other words, f*** off. I don't understand how people can't give their own damn money to anyone they damn well please as long as its legal. This is playing with people's lives. People who are dependent on friends and family overseas for basic necessities are finding themselves totally screwed for no good reason.
On the Reinstatement Form, they ask for your basic personal info, and then they ask for the names of your recipients and your relation to them. Afterwards they ask for at least two supporting documents such as paystubs, w-2, bank statements, flight itenerary, etc. That's the first phase.
The second phase then asks for more evidence of your relation to your recipients by providing marriage/birth certificates, photos, copy of your recipients' ID, loan documents, etc. In addition, they ask for copy of your ID.
The third phase, well, I can't yet say because I haven't heard anything from them yet after few days have passed.
I started with an online Western Union chat representative who told me that I must send an email to gcr@westernunion.com, which I confirmed was TLS encrypted. Apparently, this email represents WU's Global Consumer Rereinstatements division. I was a little surprised when they responded requesting a few pieces of personal information that I thought they would never request in an email. I think this is a legitimate email and request from WU; however, I'm still a bit hesitant to provide my birthdate, cell phone, and WU number. Is this the same address that you have used for your communication?
I sent all that and just got an email today after 10 days saying, basically, too bad so sad. I've done nothing wrong. And now my partner who I promised to help with car payments so it doesn't take him three hours to get home from work late at night is totally screwed and will probably lose the car.
Really shocked to see so many people that have experienced the same problem as me recently. I was suddenly cut off from sending funds to friends in Tanzania to help them with through the COVID19 crisis... I received this message:
" I apologize. Due to various laws and regulations across the countries where we do business, we are unable to complete this or any future transactions with you."
I asked them which laws and regulations? No reply to date... In desperation I used Western Union via Australia Post just to get some funds sent... at a whopping AUD22 fee... the transfer has been cancelled and the funds are in "limbo" somewhere?
I am going to be lobbying Australia Post to dump this unprofessional organsisation!
This exact thing just happened to me. I used them one time to send a friend in Tanzinia money and can no longer use their service here in the US any more ever again. Seems like they don't like Africans.
Hello: I live in Florida... have used WU only twice in my life and are going thru the same problems that many have posted about. Seems strange that I'm only trying to pay my electric bill.
I have been sending money to several friends in Colombia. This pays for rent, food and utilities. I have also paid educational expenses and medical expenses (sending cash so they can pay for these services). Like everyone else on this thread I was declined on Xoom and then Western Union. Xoom refused to do anything about it and would not tell me why I was terminated. I have filled out the form for Western Union and did not hear back in the stated time interval. I called yesterday and was told my problem would be expedited, but it might be 3 (additional) weeks before I am contacted. I am now using Moneygram with no problem thus far (about a month) I anticipate I will have problems. I used World Remit, but they held the money for about a week. I tried Pangea, but the recipient could not find the appropriate office, they didn't have the money yet, blah blah blah. I will say that I was able to talk to a human being at Pangea and when things did not go right, they did send a refund. All of the people I help are dirt poor and live on the edge of being homeless and without food or utilities.
Same problem with Moneygram.
Sending money maybe once a year to my wife on holiday in Russia, perhaps £400.
Trouble logging into their Moneygram Plus account, rang & told I would have my account closed & would not be able to use their company for remitting cash. No reason given, but once a year & such a small amount is hardly likely to be "money laundering". Yet I noticed when checking the exchange rates that the only receiver option was for Russian Roubles. Has someone in the bank system (Sberbank was one used previously) been profiting from receivers poor exchange rates in the past? Yet I opened & used WU online without problems ! Still scratching my head to understand reasons for Moneygram action ?
However my options had originally been for her to receive either US$ or Euros
I have been sending the same people money for over 5 years on WU but this week my transaction got held and I got a phone call I needed to answer their interrogation and I did it but I was angry. Such personal questions. [censored] you! You had my history of transactions to the same people in China. I lived in China and have relationships. I support them and their children and family. After all its my money. They ended by declining my transaction and banning me. [censored]! How frustrating its been so simple to send money. And they refuse to tell you anything but treat you like you are a criminal for sending your money to help people you care about. [censored] these [censored]! Lucky I had the Wise app loaded when WU was out of service and I was able to send money with it. That was easy but not sure If they will do the same thing? Why are they doing this?
This just happened to me yesterday. I have friends and family in Jamaica. I have sent money on and off for years. Today I have a notice of refund. I called and emailed WU. I cannot send money. There have been hurricane winds, rains, the roof is leaking, the family needs help. Jobs are few and far between when you dont have an education, no car, live in the mountains. It is day by day living. The govt does not help the people. WU must feel we are drug dealers or something worse. I sent money last month without an issue. I try to help out monthly now that I can again. I was told to email and have it reviewed but that is not a guarantee. Men in suits making triple digits a year get to decide who is worthy to receive help from family and friends. I dont get it. I am not mentally challenged, I am not being manipulated, I am not a victim of a scam.
Likewise, just had it done to me after using their services for some years. This occurred just a few months after my local bank account was closed in the same way, so I suspect it is related.
I had the same done to me today for no reason. They wanted All my details confirmed and when I did, they said I could no longer use their service without explanation. All I ever did was transfer pittance to my girlfriend in the Philippines. Western Union's actions followed similar ones by my local bank account in NZ, who also wanted personal information from me to comply with new government regulations under the guise of preventing money laundering and the funding of terrorism. They also closed all of my accounts with explanation. So I suspect the two are related. It seems that Western governments have tightened the screws on financial institutions, in order to get sensitive personal information about their customers. I am not sure if it is all Western nations but it is definitely the Anglo-Western ones such as UK, US, Canada, Australia and my country, New Zealand. So much for living in free and Liberal democracies. It makes one wonder how different these countries really are to China, other than not openly stating ttat they are carry out surveillance on their citizens.
Same thing happened to me. I agree we should be told why. It’s funny I have been scammed out of about $2000 from people. I bet they aren’t banned. I used this for personal and mostly my business. There are better services to use anyway.
I have three friends who also have used Western Union in the past. They had the same issues you have exactly. For several years they were able to send money. Then about the same scenario happened and now cannot use their service. Without any warning, without any reason, and without any known cause. One of them did get that letter back, several months later and basically said the same thing the operator said and the decision was final. It never told him what the actual reason for not using their service was. Western Union is a scam. Too bad because I remember my parents using them way back in the 60s and 70s. Good companies go to crap.
Literally experienced this same exact [censored] just now. We've been using WU for over a decade and only send money to ONE PERSON overseas - my mother-in-law in the Philippines. Now seemingly out of the blue, without warning, my MIL is "uncompliant" and has been banned from receiving money until she reinstates and basically begs her way back to WU's services. [censored] that. The supervisor was utterly useless and spewed company policies and could not provide one reasoned to WHY.
See you Western Union, I don't know how we tolerated your [censored] services and ridiculous transfer fees for so long.
I have the same problem, been sending money with WU for over 5 years without no problem and bam, last week trying to send money urgently to my relative and was unable to do so. Contacted the GCR and then received an email saying I am no longer allow to use their services and they are unable give me an explanation. This is bad practice and I am now going to take it further and contact the Financial Ombudsman. Even if the outcome works in my favour I will NOT be using WU again.
WU has got too big headed and treating their loyal customers like crap. There is always an alternative and I will be using it!
Shame on you WU.
You have to understand WU is an arm of the US government. They want to limit any funds leaving the US so it stays in your pocket and they will come up with some tools and ways to squize it out of you. It is that simple. Nothing you or average people can do. only carry it personally for a short while, but they working on to plug that hole right now.The regulations are tighter now than under the communist rules back in the 60's where I grew up. Good luck if you want to help to your own family.
Just encountered the same problem -
"I would regret to inform you that due to various laws and regulations across the countries where we do business, we are unable to complete this or any future transactions with you.".
I've been sending money using WU for years. Have I been convicted of a WU crime? If so, what crime.
I sent my grandson in the Philippines money for his birthday like I have been doing for the past 12 years. I got a message this morning that he did not get his money,
I called customer service and they told me I have been banned from using Western Union, but couldn't tell me why. They made me feel like I was a criminal. Western Union took the money out of my bank account and then put it back in. It was $50 piddle dollars.
What a bunch of jerks.