What Services Does Western Union Offer?
The Western Union company was first known as the New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraphy Company, and was founded in 1851. Five years later, the company became Western Union and established its first transcontinental telegraph line in 1861, according to the company's website. Today, Western Union is a financial services company that offers customers the opportunity to send and receive money, pay bills, obtain money orders and purchase a prepaid MasterCard.
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Money Transfer Choices
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Western Union provides three different ways for customers to send money. Customers with access to a computer with Internet capability can go to the Western Union website and set up an account. Once the account is set up, customers can use credit or debit cards to send money to recipients in the United States and more than 200 countries. Customers also have the option of going to a Western Union office or independent agent location to send the money in person. A third option is to call the toll-free Western Union number and speak to a customer service agent, who can send the money over the phone. There is a fee for sending money, which varies depending on the amount sent and the service option used. There are also maximum amounts that can be sent daily and monthly, which can be checked on the company's website. Money can be received via a Western Union office or a store affiliated with the company. The company's website lists thousands of locations around the world where money can be sent or received.
Money Transfer Delivery Options
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Western Union offers several money transfer times. Customers can choose the "In Minutes" option to anywhere in the world, using a credit or debit card, and the money usually arrives within 15 minutes, although this is subject to the hours of operation of the receiving Western Union office or agent location. Customers can also choose the "Next Day" option (valid only within the United States), guaranteeing delivery by 4 p.m. the next business day. However, this option only provides delivery of a prepaid Visa or MasterCard, not cash, to a receiver's home or office. The "Three Day" option to anywhere in the world requires that a sender use a bank account, and guarantees delivery by 10 a.m. Pacific Time on the third business day. This option delivers cash to the receiver. The Three Day option for delivery to the U.S., Mexico and Brazil allows customers to use a credit or debit card to send money to a receiver's bank account within two to five business days.
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Bill Payment
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Western Union offers bill payment services for auto, credit card, insurance and other monthly bills. This service also offers the ability to send money to inmates in correctional facilities. The bill payment service can be used online, in person or over the phone. A list of participating companies is listed on the Western Union website. Only credit and debit card payments are accepted for this service, and there are maximum limits (which vary) for both the bill-paying option and the inmate option. Customers can access the company's website or call the toll-free number for more information on these limits.
Prepaid MasterCard and Money Orders
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Western Union offers a prepaid MasterCard that allows users to load a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $750. The prepaid card can be used anyplace that accepts a MasterCard, and allows customers to add authorized users onto the account. Western Union also offers a money order service that customers can use to pay bills or make purchases. Money orders can be bought at any supermarket, shop or store that displays the yellow-and-black Western Union Money order logo. Major participating stores include 7-Eleven, Kmart and Kroger.
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