Western Union Payment Options
Western Union was a pioneer in telecommunications when it established the first transcontinental telegraph line in 1861. Over the years that followed, money transfer services were developed and slowly overtook telegraph messages as the company's primary business. Today, Western Union's business is helping people move money from person to person and from person to commercial service. Many of Western Union's customers around the globe lack established bank accounts and rely on wiring services and cash when moving money. Money senders will find they have several ways they can send money with Western Union.
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Online Payment
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Like so many things, the Internet has changed the way people wire money. You can use Western Union's website (see Resources) to order and pay for a money transfer. You can use a bank-issued credit or debit card to pay, though your credit card company may treat your transaction as a cash advance and charge you fees and interest.
Telephone Payment
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If you aren't comfortable with an online payment or need assistance completing order forms, you can use Western Union's telephone services; call 800-225-5227. Payment and delivery options are exactly the same as with an online transaction. Be cautious when giving your bank card number over the phone, especially if you are in a public location.
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In-Person Payment
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Visit a Western Union agent to pay by cash or debit card. Agents require you to key in your PIN when debiting your card. Western Union has 46,000 agents in the United States, many of which are drugstores, supermarkets, convenience stores and payday loan offices.You can call Western Union customer service at 800-325-6000 or visit the website (see Resources) to find the agent nearest you. Agents can give you instant confirmation that your payment has posted, but they cannot accept credit cards. In many countries, Western Union accepts payments only in person.
Options
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When ordering your wire transfer and making payment, be prepared to specify which service option you want. Western Union offers instant transfers that the recipient can collect in cash from an agent. One-day transfers allow recipients to collect the money in the form of a prepaid Visa gift card, and the three-day option sends money to a bank account.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit dollars image by Mikhail Olykainen from Fotolia.com
