Sending money safely: the ultimate guide

Q: What are the methods to transfer money safely?

Send money safely via our website Every year, millions of customers are satisfied with our online transfer services, proving that we are the ideal option for many. The three key elements of identity verification, payment authentication and consumer protection are present in every transaction, for the benefit of the sender and the receiver. Send money safely with our app We want to offer one of the best and safest apps possible, with all the main functionalities already present on our site, to be used anywhere and anytime. Sending money safely in person Your identity must also be verified if you send money in person to one of our agencies for sums of EUR 1,000 or more.

Most senders consider the safety of money transfers more important than speed and cost, although the latter remain two priority features.

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The safety of money transfers with Western Union

Money transfers should be safe. But how is this level of safety and reliability guaranteed in a world where financial fraud is the order of the day, especially online?

Here at Western Union, offering reliable services is among our top priorities. In this guide, we’ll explain the best ways to send money in the safest way possible, looking at the three key safety aspects of our services.

It is important to stress that no money transfer service can guarantee you 100% safety, and any service that does should be viewed with suspicion. At Western Union, we can only take as many safety measures as possible, giving you the peace of mind of knowing that you are using a trustworthy service and that we are fully committed to your safety.

Here are the three main areas that help us keep your money transfer as safe as possible.

Send money safely at important moments

Whatever the occasion – a friend’s birthday, your sister’s wedding, or helping your parents – we will help you send money to your loved ones, quickly, safely and exactly when they need it.

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Verify your identity to send money safely

When sending money to Italy with Western Union, you must verify your identity for amounts of €1,000 or more.

After verification, the sending limit will rise to €5,000.

You can verify your identity in the following two ways:

During an online transfer

Via video call

Verifying your identity during an online transfer

To verify your identity document during an online transfer, you simply have to:

Log in to your profile and start sending an amount of EUR 1,000 or more. If you do not have a profile yet, you can create one on the website or via app.
Enter the required details.
Confirm your details on the Complete Your Profile page and select Continue.
Choose a valid Italian government-issued identity document, enter the data, and select Next.
Check the details of your transfer and select Send.
Load the document and select Load.
Choose a proof of your address and select Upload Now.

The verification could take up to 30 minutes (or more). A long wait, but essential in order to protect your larger money transfers. However, you will not be asked for subsequent transfers.

Should we need further information, we will ask you to send it to id@westernunion.com.

If you have already made a money transfer at a Western Union agency, use the same identity document that you used on that occasion.

Note: Before uploading a copy of your identity document, please check the following:

Your photo, signature, date of birth, expiry date and other essential information must be clearly visible.
The information must match that on your Western Union profile.
Documents must be in PDF or JPG format.

Verify your identity via video call

If you prefer to verify your identity via video call, proceed as follows:

Log in via our website or app.
Select the profile icon in the top right-hand corner, and choose: Start verification now.
Select Computer and Webcam or Smartphone as the medium for the call.
Follow the instructions to complete the verification.

Note: Allow access to the camera and microphone before starting the video call so that we can see you. Also, keep your identity documents handy.

It may take approximately four hours to verify your identity. Once completed, we will send you a confirmation e-mail.

What documents are accepted for identity verification?

You can provide one of the following documents:

Passport
European driving licence
EU/EEA identity card
Italian residence permit

Which documents are accepted as proof of address?

Your electricity bill
Your gas bill
Your telephone bill
Your bank or credit card statement

Register to send money abroad today

Send money with peace of mind

You can register in a few simple steps and start sending money worldwide, quickly and reliably. Go to our registration page to get started.

Pay as you wish

Pay the money transfer in the most convenient way for you: by bank transfer, credit¹ or debit card, or in cash at an agency.

Check your money transfer

As part of our commitment to security, we offer you the possibility to track the progress of your money transfer at any time, online or via app.

Easy-to-reach agencies

Transfer money for cash pick-up at a Western Union agency close to the recipient. Visit one of hundreds of thousands Western Union agencies.

Payment authentication for safe money transfers

Another key factor in enhancing the safety of our money transfers is our payment authentication process.
Strong Customer Authentication (SCA), as stipulated in the latest EU Payment Services Directive (PSD2), requires payment service providers to authenticate digital payments.
SCA, also known as 3D Secure, is a multi-factor system that adds an extra layer of protection to digital payments to reduce the danger of fraud. It consists of payment authentication using PIN, password or biometric data.
To meet SCA requirements, Western Union uses multi-factor authentication to protect online transfers.

Why did the authorisation of my payment fail?
Western Union uses SCA authentication to protect online payments. To properly authenticate your payment

1. Make sure that your card or bank account is registered for SCA (3D Secure) authentication. If this is not the case, contact your card issuer or register it via your online banking portal.

2. Check that your bank and Western Union have your up-to-date contact information.

3. Enter your PIN or password correctly.

Note: You can also pay for money transfers via alternative payment options: The payment options will be displayed when starting an online transfer.

Millions of people around the world rely on our services

As a global leader in the movement of money across borders and between currencies, Western Union aims to foster economic growth and create a better world by keeping you in touch with your loved ones. Join customers in over 200 countries who receive money from abroad with Western Union.

Consumer protection for secure money transfers

Consumer protection is of paramount importance to Western Union. Here are some scenarios to which you should pay particular attention:

Be wary of requests to pay an amount before receiving a loan.
Always be wary of self-styled representatives of competitions, prizes or lotteries that require a money transfer in order to withdraw a prize.
Be wary of unsolicited letters or e-mails from self-styled foreign government officials requesting assistance in transferring excess funds from a foreign country to your bank account.
Be wary of phone calls from the authorities claiming that a friend is involved in an accident or has been arrested and needs funds.
Be wary of unsolicited letters or mails offering an unrealistic price for expensive or rare items.
Always make sure you know the recipient of the transfer. When purchasing goods or services paid for through Western Union, it is the customer’s responsibility to verify the reputation and legitimacy of the seller. Western Union is not responsible for the non-receipt or quality of any product or service.

How do we protect your information?

Western Union uses a number of technologies to protect your personal information, including SSL technology. In addition, the following tips can help you protect your password:

Create a hard-to-find password; avoid using part of your name, your birthday or words easily associated with you.
It uses a combination of letters and numbers, alternating lower and upper case letters.
Avoid writing down passwords where they are likely to be detected.
To further protect your passwords, keep your antivirus software up-to-date and run anti-spyware programmes. These programmes can help protect against viruses or other malware that could compromise your identity, even if your computer apparently works as usual.

What are the methods to transfer money safely?

Send money safely via our website

Every year, millions of customers are satisfied with our online transfer services, proving that we are the ideal option for many.
The three key elements of identity verification, payment authentication and consumer protection are present in every transaction, for the benefit of the sender and the receiver.

Send money safely with our app

We want to offer one of the best and safest apps possible, with all the main functionalities already present on our site, to be used anywhere and anytime.

Sending money safely in person

Your identity must also be verified if you send money in person to one of our agencies for sums of EUR 1,000 or more.

Is it safe to transfer large amounts of money online?

Yes, with Western Union you always receive the same high level of protection, no matter how much money you send. We regularly transfer thousands of euros to over 200 countries, worldwide.

And the amount is not the determining factor: our commitment to safety is independent of the amount of the transfer.

Naturally, the larger it is, the more likely you are to worry about the transfer arriving safely. This is one of the reasons why we require identity verification for any money transfer of €1,000 or more.

¹ If you’re using a credit card, a card-issuer cash advance fee and associated interest charges may apply. To avoid these fees or for reduced fees, use a debit card or check other payment methods.