Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with WesternUnion

Unauthorized Speedpay withdrawals

louche mustachio — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:34:01 -0800

My boyfriend just discovered several hundred dollars has been withdrawn from his bank account without his authorization. My boyfriend is a frugal person, and keeps a very close eye on his finances. Last night he told me he was alarmed to find that he had a lot less money in the bank than he thought he did.
Today, he checked his bank statement and discovered two unauthorized withdrawals, one for $200, one for $400. Both were labeled "Speedpay" - which I believe is a transfer service offered Western Union. He called the 800 number for his bank (TCF) but they were not terribly helpful.

What steps can he take immediately to protect his account, since someone clearly has his information and is taking his money? What can he do to recover the money that has already been taken?

Sending Telegrams

bubukaba — Sat, 04 Dec 2004 13:51:59 -0800

I've discovered that you can still send telegrams. Has anyone done this recently? How did it go? What do received telegrams look like these days? Are there any services for this beside Western Union? Are they delivered with mail or do they still knock on the door and hand it to you? Do I have to send it from the internet, or can I do it from a post office?

Western Union Scams

dobbs — Sun, 28 Mar 2004 22:22:15 -0800

Anyone know much about Western Union money transfers? Specifically, I'm wondering how people who use them for scams pull them off if Western Union truly works the way people say it does. [more] Many times I come across deals (ebay, craigslist, wherever) where the seller will only take Western Union money transfers. The always explain the system like this:

a. you send a money transfer to the seller.
b. western union will give you a tracking number
c. you send the seller the tracking number, which will reveal to them who the money is being sent to and the amount, but not the sender's name (which they apparently need to pick up the money).
d. they ship your item.
e. when you recieve it, you release your name (obviously, you use a different name for sending money and ship-to address).

So, does Western Union really work like this and if so, how are these people exploiting the system?

Transferring money Down Under

MintSauce — Fri, 19 Mar 2004 03:47:48 -0800

International money transfers. I'd like to transfer some money, from the UK, to a family member in Australia. I'd like to do this as quickly and cheaply as possible. Preferably online. Any suggestions? (More inside) I've already looked at Western Union (phone only), Travelex (in person only) and Paypal (5 day wait at the other end).