How to Pick Up a Western Union International Transaction

Western Union is a quick way to transfer money when someone has an emergency or is in need of money as soon as he can get it. This comes in handy when you are traveling, in a city that you are not familiar with, are between jobs or sending money to a student. You can pick up your money at any Western Union location anywhere in the world, and the sender will have the peace of mind that the money will safely reach you.

Things You'll Need

• Picture identification
• Transfer number information
• Sender information

Instructions

1. Confirm with the sender the way you plan to pick up the wire transfer. Options for pickup include going to a Western Union location, having the money delivered to your home or having the money delivered straight to your checking account.

2. Confirm the time frame in which the sender plans on sending the money. The sender has the option of sending you an instant transfer, a next-day transfer or a transfer in three days.

3. Chose the Western Union location from which you will pick up the money. Western Union has locations all over the world. Some of the locations are open 24 hours for your convenience. Check the Western Union website for the hours that the local Western Union location is open.

4. Get a copy of the yellow pre-pickup paperwork. Fill out the information of the wire transfer on the paperwork. Include the transfer identification number and the sender's personal information.

5. Give the copy of the pre-pickup paperwork to the Western Union representative. If you have the money delivered to your home, the representative will have a form for you to fill out when he delivers the money.

6. Show the Western Union representative your proof of identification. This can include a driver's license, nondriver identification card, military identification card or a passport.

7. Sign everything that the Western Union representative asks you to sign to complete the transaction. This will include paperwork proving that Western Union did give you the money and the amount of money you received.

Tips & Warnings

• Put any large amounts of cash that you receive on a prepaid credit card. This way you are not visibly carrying cash around and are less likely to become a target of thieves.

References

• Western Union
• Western Union: Availability of Money to Receiver
• Western Union: Information Needed to Send Money

Resources

• Western Union