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Frequently Asked Questions

If you need to know more, do not hesitate to call Western Union Customer Care at 0810-444-1000 or to chat with us.

What are Western Union® agent locations?

Agent locations are the places to send or receive money in person. They may be supermarkets, grocery stores, drug stores, travel agencies, and other retailers. In some countries, they may also be banks, travel agencies, post offices, airports, train stations, bus stations, or currency exchange offices.

How do I find a Western Union agent location?

You can easily find a nearby agent location by using our online agent locator.

How do I send money from an agent location?

Here is what you need to know to send money from an agent location:

  • Visit a Western Union® agent location.
  • Share with the agent your receiver´s full name, address, government-issued ID number, destination country, and the amount you wish to send.
  • Give the agent your original government-issued ID and its photocopy. Tax identification number (CUIL/CUIT/CDI) should be requiered if you’re an Argentinian citizen.
  • Give the agent the complete amount you want to send plus the service fee.

Find out more about sending money from an agent location.

How much money can I send from an agent location?

At any of our Western Union stores or participating agent locations, you will be able to send up to 3,588,000 ARS per money transaction and up to 3,588,000 ARS total per month.

You can also send a total of 3,744,000 ARS per calendar year. If you want to send more than 3,744,000 ARS within a calendar year, you will need to provide additional documents to be able to do so.

Find out more about sending money from an agent location.

Can I send money at any time, any day?

When you can send money in cash will be based on the business hours and working days of the agent location you have selected.

Find a nearby agent location.

 

How can I find out if the money has been paid?

To know if your money transaction has been paid, just select track transaction on top of any page at westernunion.com then enter your receiver’s name and the tracking number (MTCN).

Does Western Union offer an escrow service or any kind of buyer protection for online auctions or other transactions?

No. Western Union does not offer escrow or buyer protection. To help protect yourself from fraud, never send money to someone you don’t know. If you think you may have been victim of fraud using Western Union, contact us immediately

Learn more about fraud awareness.

How can I find out the status of my money transaction?

To know the status of your money transaction, select Track transaction from the top menu at westernunion.com or through our Western Union app, then enter the tracking number (MTCN).

How can I find out if my money transaction has been received?

To know if your money transaction has been received, select Track transaction from the top menu at westernunion.com or through our Western Union app, then enter your receiver’s name and the tracking number (MTCN) for the transaction.

How can I find out if the money is available for me to pick it up?

To know if your money transaction is ready for pick up, select Track transaction from the top menu at westernunion.com or through our Western Union app, then enter your sender’s name and the tracking number (MTCN) for the transaction.

Why my money transaction status is on hold?

There are a few reasons why a money transaction might be on hold. If it’s been less than 30 to 40 minutes since you completed it, it may not be fully processed yet. Please wait a few more minutes and then check the status again.

Sometimes we need to confirm the sender’s identity before we can process a money transaction. If this is the case, we’ll send the sender an online web receipt and an email asking them to call us. Once we’ve confirmed the sender’s information, the transaction will be completed and the receiver will be able to pick up the money.

How do I pick up a money transaction?

You can receive money in cash or in your bank account.

To pick up a money transaction in cash:

  1. Visit an agent location.
  2. Provide the agent with the correct tracking number (MTCN), your sender’s full name, the country where the money was sent from and expected amount.
  3. Give the agent the original government-issued ID and its photocopy, along with the tax identification number (CUIL/CUIT/CDI) if you are an Argentinian citizen.
  4. Review and sign the receipt.
  5. The agent will give you the money and a copy of the receipt.

Find out more about receiving money at an agent location

To collect a money transfer into your bank account:
You can ask the sender to transfer the money directly to your bank account in Argentina. When sending the money, he/she must inform the details of your bank account (bank name, CBU number and CUIL), as well as your email and contact number. With this information, we will send an email to your mailbox so that you can complete an online registration process that will be valid for 15 months. To complete your registration, you can go also to this link.

To switch from cash payout to bank account:
If the sender has already sent you the money but did not share your bank account information, you can request the money to be deposited into your bank account by sending an email to depositoacuenta@wu.com, indicating your full name, transaction number (MTCN) and your government-issued identification number. If this is the first time you receive money in this way, you must complete an online registration that will be valid for 15 months. To complete your registration, you can go also to this link.

How can I find out if a money transaction is ready for pickup?

To know if your money transaction is ready for pickup or has been paid, just select track transaction from the top of any page at westernunion.com, then enter your receiver’s name and the tracking number (MTCN).

How does Western Union pay out money transactions?

You can receive your money transaction in cash at an agent location, or you can ask your sender to transfer the money directly to your bank account in Argentina. When sending the money, the sender should inform your bank account details (bank name, CBU number and CUIL) as well as your email and contact number. With this information, we will send an email to your mailbox so that you can complete an online registration process that will be valid for 15 months. To complete your registration, you can go also to this link.

If the sender has already sent you the money but did not share your bank account information, you can request the money to be deposited into your bank account by sending an email to depositoacuenta@wu.com, indicating your full name, transaction number (MTCN) and your government-issued identification number.

If this is the first time you receive money in this way, you must complete an online registration that will be valid for 15 months. To complete your registration, you can go also to this link.

How can receivers in Argentina register to receive money into their bank accounts?

If you receive a money transfer directly into your bank account for the first time, you must complete an online registration process within 90 days of getting it. This registration will be valid for 15 months.

Also, if you receive 2 additional transactions within that 90-day period (a total of 3 transactions), you will need to register before you can pick up the fourth transaction.

To complete your registration, we will contact you by email within 24 hours after the money transaction was sent, at the email provided by your sender. You will be asked to provide additional information on an online form you can find at this link.

We value our business and takes pride in delivering your funds in the quickest and most reliable way possible. However, it is important that you protect yourself from fraudsters who are out to get your money.

Below are some frequently asked questions about fraud. For more information, please visit our Fraud Awareness page.

Are there common fraud scenarios that I should be aware of and things I shouldn’t send my money for?

Be wary if you are required to pay a fee before receiving a loan. Beware of sweepstakes, prize or lottery company representatives who tell you to transfer money to them in order to claim a prize you’ve won. There are many companies running fraudulent contests that ask you to transfer them money but give you nothing in return.

Beware of unsolicited letters or emails from a Nigerian or other foreign government officials requesting assistance in the transfer of excess funds from a foreign country into your bank account.

Beware of telephone calls from the police claiming someone you know has been in an accident or arrested and is requesting money.

Beware of unsolicited letters or emails offering an unrealistic price for expensive or difficult to find merchandise.

Make sure you know to whom you are sending money. If you are purchasing goods or services and paying through the Western Union network, it is your responsibility to verify the reputation and legitimacy of the seller. Western Union is not responsible for the non-receipt or quality of any goods or services.

I received a suspicious email from someone claiming to be Western Union. What should I do?

If you receive an email from a company representing itself as Western Union and you are not sure it was sent by Western Union, do not click on any links in the email. This may be a “phishing” attempt to fraudulently acquire sensitive information from you. Instead, immediately forward the suspicious email to spoof@westernunion.com.

Western Union will never send you emails to ask for your user ID, password, or credit card details.

Find out more about Fraud Protection.

Can the Test Question feature secure my funds or delay payment of a transaction?

The “Test Question” feature in the Western Union® Money Transaction service is designed for emergency situations where the receiver does not have proper identification (e.g. his or her wallet and identification have been stolen). It should never be used as additional security to time or delay the payment of a transaction. In many locations, Western Union will pay the receiver whenever the receiver shows proper identification, even if the receiver does not know the answer to the test question. Test question is not available for payout in Argentina.

Does Western Union offer an escrow service or any kind of buyer protection?

Western Union does not offer an escrow service or any type of “purchase protection” policy. Western Union’s business is to transaction funds from a sender to a receiver. We caution people who use our services against sending money to people they don’t know. It is the sender’s responsibility to know the party to which the funds are being sent. Using a fictitious name or changing the receiver name after the money transaction has been sent is not a guaranteed means of securing funds. If a receiver presents proper identification with the same name as on the money transaction, payment will be made.

Be wary of 3rd party “collection” or “holding” services unless they are a reputable licensed escrow service. Western Union is not an escrow service, should not be used as an escrow service and is currently not affiliated with any escrow services.

Can I use Western Union to pay for online auctions?

For online auctions, examine seller feedback carefully and know the warning signs associated with fraudulent auction sales. Most online auction sites have safety guidelines or FAQs that can help you identify potentially fraudulent sales. Be wary if the seller is using a free email address or insists on accepting only one form of payment. Report any suspicious activity and file non-delivery of goods complaints with the auction site through which you purchased the item.

Remember that Western Union never acts as a guarantor of an auction buyer or seller’s performance.

What can I do if I suspect fraud or am a victim of fraud?

If you feel you have been the victim of fraud and have sent money using Western Union, call our Fraud Hotline to file a formal fraud claim with us. We also encourage you to file with your local law enforcement, as we work directly with them on their investigation and details of the transaction.

Find out more about Fraud Protection.

What does Western Union do to protect my information?

Western Union employs a variety of technique, including SSL technology, to keep your personal information safe.

Additionally, the following tips can help keep your password secure:

  • Make your password difficult to guess. Avoid using any part of your name, your birthday, or any words that can easily be associated with you.
  • Use a combination of letters and numbers, and a mix of lower case and capital letters.
  • Use multiple passwords for your various accounts to decrease your risk in case one password is compromised.
  • Avoid writing your password down where it may be compromised.

You can further protect your passwords by making sure that your virus-scanning software is kept up to date, and by running anti-spyware programs. These programs can help protect you from viruses or other malware that could compromise your identity even though your computer may seem to be working fine.

If you use Microsoft Windows, make sure your Windows updates are enabled to help keep your operating system protected. You can learn more about Microsoft Windows updates at https://www.microsoft.com.

Use extra caution when entering your password on a computer that does not belong to you. Viruses, spyware, or the browser settings might be used to compromise your profile by recording your user name and password.

For more information about how to protect yourself from fraud, visit our Fraud Awareness page.

Western Union continues to monitor the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) developments closely. Our primary concern is the safety of our customers and employees, as well as the well-being of those impacted. Here, you can find answers to questions that you might have about how our services may change during this time. We will keep this information updated as the situation develops.

Is Western Union open for business?

• Yes, we continue to serve our customers and operate globally. Given the current situation, we encourage those in affected areas to send or receive money using our mobile app, or westernunion.com.

• Please note that our agent locations in areas with a high concentration of COVID-19 outbreaks may close their businesses temporarily or may have updated operating hours. Be sure to check our agent locator for current hours of operation. You should also consider calling before visiting to confirm availability of services and open hours.

I cannot pick up my money transaction because no agent locations are open due to COVID-19.

We are sorry for the inconvenience. Given the ever-changing situation, we recommend those experiencing local restrictions due to COVID-19 visit westernunion.com or use our mobile app to send transfers for payout directly to a bank account or a digital wallet.

If I can’t pick up my money transaction, what will happen to my money?

Your transaction will be available for 30 days. After this time, your sender will have to contact our Customer Care to restart the transaction or cancel the transaction for refund.

Can I authorize someone to pick up money for me if I can’t leave my home?

For security reasons, only the designated receiver can pick up a transaction. However, you can ask your sender to contact our Customer Care to cancel that transaction and start a new one. Your sender can then transaction money online directly to a bank account or a mobile wallet, if available.

What can I do to protect myself from fraud?

Please be aware of the risk of fraud and phishing, especially during this time, and take extra caution when sending money:

• Don’t send money for loan or credit card fees, customs, or shipping fees.

• Don’t send money to someone you haven’t met in person.

• Be suspicious of businesses without a verified street address.

• Don’t pay for an item or service with a money transfer to an individual.

• Be suspicious about transferring money for charity and ask a representative for an ID.

• Think twice before sharing your financial information.

 

Please visit our Fraud awareness page to learn more and check current Coronavirus-related online scams.

Is it true that paper money can spread Coronavirus?

We have no reason to believe that banknotes are more likely to spread viruses like Coronavirus than any other surface. The guidance from the World Health Organization remains that basic hygiene is the best possible defense against Coronavirus.

Is there any charitable cause that I can participate in via Western Union?

Western Union and the Western Union Foundation launched a $1M USD global appeal and is accepting donations through May 15th Western Union and the Western Union Foundation will match up to $500,000 USD in donations to go toward supplies, equipment, and frontline medical aid. Donate here.

What is Western Union doing to support customers during this time?

• Our goal is to keep our digital and retail services operational across the world, while abiding by local regulations and guidelines.

• We are constantly improving our services, such as adding new ways to speed up the ID verification process and offering a home delivery feature in some countries.

• Given the ever-changing situation, we recommend those experiencing local restrictions due to COVID-19 visit westernunion.com or use our mobile app to send transactions for payout directly to a bank account or a digital wallet. This service is currently available in more than 100 countries.

What is the My WU℠ loyalty program?

My WU is a free loyalty program from Western Union. You can register on westernunion.com or our mobile app.

What are the benefits of My WU℠ loyalty program?
  • Transfer fee discounts on qualifying money transfers.
  • Special promotions on money transfers.

Learn more about My WU program.

How can I earn My WU℠ points?

Earning reward points is currently disabled in the program. If you are a My WU member, we will notify you about our new rewards program. 

How do I redeem My WU℠ points?

On our website and app:

  1. Log in to your Western Union profile.
  2. Go to Menu and select My WU.
  3. Select Redeem points.
  4. Select Yes in the popup.
  5. Select Use reward.

The discount will be automatically applied to your next transfer fee.

Via the My WU portal:

  1. Log in to your profile and go to My WU Rewards.
  2. Go to the Rewards section to view your reward options.
  3. Choose your reward and select Use reward.

The discount will be applied automatically to your next transfer fee.

You can use your My WU points till they expire as per My WU terms and conditions.

 

Why can I not earn points in the My WU℠ loyalty program anymore?

Earning reward points is currently disabled in the program. If you are a My WU member, we will notify you about our new rewards program. 

Can I still redeem My WU℠ points?

Yes, you can continue to redeem your My WU points until their expiry.  

Why am I unable to use Western Union services after receiving the message “Additional info needed, go to westernunion.com/gcr”?

To protect our customers, we review every money transfer to make sure it’s safe. For a variety of reasons, we may ask you to provide us with more information before we can allow you to continue using our services.

Why do I need to provide additional information?

We need additional information to understand why you use Western Union and the relationship between you and the person or entities you’re transacting with. The more information you provide, the quicker we’ll be able to complete your request.

How can I use Western Union services again?

To have access to our services again, follow the steps below:

  1. Gather the required documents. Please note that these will vary depending on your reason for using Western Union and your relationship to the person or entities you’re transacting with. At minimum you must be prepared with your government-issued photo ID, documents that relate to your purpose for using Western Union, proof of the source of the funds, and any additional documents that may provide support for the answers provided on the questionnaire. For more information, go to Help section at westernunion.com.
  2. Go to westernunion.com/gcr or scan the QR code below and start the customer questionnaire.
  3. Complete the customer questionnaire:
  • Personal information:
    – Provide your first, middle (optional) and last names as they appear on your ID.
    – Share your current email, physical address and mobile number. Please make sure you provide an active email address for communication purposes.
    – Specify your country of birth.- Select your occupation and provide additional clarification if needed.
    – Enter a recent tracking number (MTCN) if available.
    – Upload a copy of your valid government-issued photo ID.
  • Relationships:
    – List people or entities you’ve transacted with using Western Union.
    – For each person or entity, enter the full name, relationship, purpose of transaction and upload supporting documents.
  • Source of funds:
    – Choose the source of funds from the drop-down list and upload supporting documents.
  • Third party details (if you are transacting on behalf of someone else) (if applicable):
    – Explain the purpose of transaction(s) and your relationship to the third party.
    – Provide the details related to the third party.
  • Fraud (if applicable):
    – Indicate if you’ve been a victim of fraud or
    – If yes, share a brief description of what happened.
  1. Review the accuracy of the information you provided.
  2. Select Submit questionnaire to complete the process.
What documents are suitable and why does Western Union need them?

a. Valid government-issued photo ID is needed to verify your identity.

  • Examples: passport, driver’s license, national ID.

b. Source of funds is needed to make sure that the money transfers are not related to illegal acts and correspond to the nature of your activity.

  • Examples: at least the latest 3 months of bank statements, at least the latest 3 months of pay slips, employment contract with salary, loan papers, sale agreement, winning receipt, tax return statement, etc.

c. Purpose of money transfer or intended use of money is needed to understand the basis for making the payment and the type of relations between the sender and the payee.

  • Examples:
    • Personal remittance/family support – the following documents are suitable to prove relationship: pictures with persons you transacted with, marriage certificate, counterparty’s birth certificate, counterparty’s government issued ID, etc.
    • Business remittance/payment for goods/services – bills, receipts, sale or purchase agreements, etc.
    • Education – evidence of tuition fees, etc.
    • Medical expenses – hospital bills, pharmacy receipts, health insurance premiums, etc.
    • Charity support – written acknowledgment from the charity, etc.
    • Purchase home – purchase agreement, mortgage documents, etc.
    • Gift – receipts, etc.
    • Travel expenses – travel tickets, hotel bookings, etc.

d. Third party activity (sending or receiving money on behalf of individual or business) information is needed to understand the purpose and nature of your relationship with Western Union.

  • Examples: business registration documents, letter of authorization by the company or notary, bank statement showing access to third party funds, etc.
What happens after I provided the additional information?

After we’ve received your completed questionnaire and required documentation, we’ll email you a response within 3 business days.

In case we have additional questions, we may contact you via the email address provided in the questionnaire.

Are my documents safe?

We’re committed to the security of your personal information. We use organizational, technical and administrative safeguards that comply with applicable government laws and regulations to secure your personal information. We also restrict access to the personal information that we process to only our employees, agents and representatives that have a business need to know it. For more information, read our Terms and Conditions and Online Privacy Statement.