Western Union

[mikeyr]

So what's the deal with these guys then? Every scam email seems to want you to use them so they must have some major security issues?

Are they deliberately awful or has anyone used them,or even had a good experience with 'em? Apparently they have offices in over 200 countries!

[Vixpy1]

mikeyr said:

Apparently they have offices in over 200 countries!

And there is your answer.

[Petrolhead_Rich]

It is the premier way to move money around the world, hence its involvement in rich saudi princes with bank accounts in Nigeria calling from your bank about your lottery win you never entered into....

[mikeyr]

So what does it offer that any multinational bank can't (or won't)?

You'd imagine with all the scammers they must have the busiest complaints department in the world!

[Marf]

[mikeyr]

That JPEG has explained everything to my satisfaction thanks. Knew it would be less than 10 posts before the old Nigerian Phone Scammer appeared. He makes everything alright. For a small fee.

[Dracoro]

Surely WU are losing a lot of trade.

Now their image (in the western world at least) is that of scams.

They may well be a legit but I would never deal with them or anyone who does.

I just don't understand why they haven't tried to stop the scams.....

[Google [bot]]

mikeyr said:

So what does it offer that any multinational bank can't (or won't)?

Speed and ease. At a price.

[plg]

Dracoro said:

Surely WU are losing a lot of trade.

Now their image (in the western world at least) is that of scams.

They may well be a legit but I would never deal with them or anyone who does.

I just don't understand why they haven't tried to stop the scams.....

Visit any WU branch in a major city with a (very) diverse population (Geneva, Paris, etc) - they seem to be doing just fine... they know the risk, they price it in to the service and know their demographic and target market well.

[RDMcG]

It has a very specific value. I have had to send money to people the odd time in very obscure cities. ( i.e. my son in rural India), and there is always a Western Union office or agent somewhere. If you need to get a few hundred somewhere fast, its pretty efficient. Sure, there are much more sophisticated methods but not everywhere has bank machines and credit card acceptance. Its not something I use often,but it does have value.

[anonymous-user]

it is easy and relativly cheap and does not require a bank account, its hugly populer in the 3rd world as away for people who are paid in cash to send their wages home, and it is there in an instent.
People in the developed world view it as a scam but it fills a need.

[Mexic0]

Western Union has been operating for over 150 years. With over 380,000 Agent locations worldwide in over 200 countries, millions of people trust us to send and receive money.