7 ways to send cash to someone

When sending money to family or friends, you have a lot of options. Some methods get your money to the recipient faster, or require more or less effort, than others. But what matters most when choosing how to send cash to someone? That your money gets there securely.

Whether you’re sending cash to someone as a wedding or birthday gift, supporting a family member in a time of need, or transferring money without a bank account, there are seven options for sending money safely online:

• Money order
• Money transfer apps
• Mobile wallet
• Wire transfer
• Prepaid debit card
• Cashier’s check
• Personal check

Key takeaways

• The most secure methods for sending cash include money orders, money transfer apps, mobile wallets, and wire transfers.
• Before you decide which method to use, consider whether your recipient has a bank account or is located in another country, and how much money you need to send.
• When sending prepaid cards, cashier’s checks, or personal checks through the mail, add insurance and delivery confirmation for extra security.

What to consider before you send

How do you send cash to someone else? It depends on you and your recipient’s situation. Before we review the various ways to send money, you can narrow down your options by asking yourself:

• Do you and your recipient have bank accounts?
• Are you sending money internationally?
• What is your budget for fees?
• How much money will you be sending?

Depending on your answers, one method may be better. Use the table below to choose the best way to send cash for your situation.

	Bank account required	International use	Fee	Typical transaction limits
Money order	No	Yes	$5 or less	$1,000
Money transfer app	No	Yes	Varies	$1,000 to $10,000; cap varies by provider
Mobile wallet	Yes	Yes	1%-3%	$1,000 to $10,000; cap varies by provider
Wire transfer	Yes	Yes	$15 to $50	$3,000 to $50,000; cap varies by bank.
Prepaid debit card	No	Yes	Varies
Cashier’s check	Sometimes	No	$5 to $15	Cap varies by bank
Personal check	Yes	No	None	None, but amounts over $10,000 must be reported to IRS

1. Money order

If you’re wondering how to send cash safely, a money order is one of the most secure options.

A money order is a prepaid financial document issued by a bank, post office, or money transfer provider like Western Union. It guarantees the recipient a specific amount of money — unlike a personal check, which can bounce. Many people use money orders to pay bills, send money to friends, or make purchases.

To send a money order, you’ll need the following information:

• Recipient’s name
• Recipient’s address
• Your name and address
• Amount of payment
• Cash, credit card, or debit card to pay for the money order
• Memo or note for the payment (optional)

When your recipient gets the money order, they will need to endorse it with their signature and deposit or cash it to get the funds.

Pros	Cons
Funds are guaranteed Can be used for international payments Recipient doesn’t need a bank account	May have transaction limits Risk of theft if sent by mail May be delays in cashing

2. Money transfer app

Money transfer apps make it easier to send cash electronically. There are a variety of international money transfer apps, including the Western Union® app. Each one helps you send money in the US and abroad.

You can link your bank account or mobile wallet to a money transfer app to easily initiate payments or transfers. Plus, with low (or sometimes no) fees, money transfer apps are a cost-effective way to send cash safely.

Many money transfer apps are digital-only. The Western Union app lets you send and receive cash, as well as pay bills, review exchange rates, and find the nearest in-person locations. With Western Union, the receiver can also choose from a variety of ways to receive money, including cash pickup, bank account, mobile wallet, or prepaid card.

Pros	Cons
Near-instant transfers Little-to-no transaction fees Widely accessible on most smartphones	Sender and recipient must have compatible apps Can have low transaction limits Must be aware of frauds and scams

3. Mobile wallet

Another popular way to send cash is through a mobile wallet. Mobile wallets allow you to store and manage your financial accounts directly on your smartphone by linking to your bank account, debit card, and other financial information.

Mobile wallets generally incorporate the latest fraud detection features and biometric security measures, such as facial recognition.

It’s easy to send money via a mobile wallet by adding your payment and recipient information. You can even use a money transfer provider like Western Union for international mobile wallet transfers. Here’s how:

1. Register with Western Union online or download the mobile app.
2. Provide the transfer amount and the country where you want to send the money.
3. Enter your recipient’s phone number and mobile wallet service provider (make sure it’s a payout option).
4. After confirming the details, receive an SMS message with a tracking number to trace your transfer.

Pros	Cons
Near-instant transfers Minimal or no transaction fees Advanced security features	Requires an internet connection for sender and recipient Potential technical issues May not be accessible in all countries

4. Wire transfer

How do you send cash from your bank to someone else’s bank? In that situation, a wire transfer may be your best option. Wire transfers are electronic payments that route money directly from one bank account to another. They typically use a secure network like the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT). These networks use the latest encryption and authentication technologies, reducing the risk of fraud or theft. Enhanced security and high transaction limits make wire transfers a great option for funding large transactions, such as real estate closing costs.

A wire transfer requires more information than other methods of sending money to someone. For domestic wire transfers within the US, this includes the recipient’s contact information and bank account and routing numbers. For international wire transfers, you may need BIC or SWIFT codes for the recipient’s bank.

Since wire transfers are irreversible, you likely won’t have recourse if you send money to the wrong account or get scammed. Also, you’ll likely pay a higher fee than with other transfer methods.

Pros	Cons
Can be initiated remotely Secure, direct transfer between banks High transaction limits	Usually has high fees Cannot be easily reversed or canceled Only processed during banking hours

5. Prepaid debit card

A prepaid debit card is a payment card that allows you to load the card with money upfront. Because you can only spend the money that’s loaded onto the card, there is no way to overdraft a prepaid debit card. Prepaid cards are great for those who don’t have access to a traditional bank account.

The easiest method for sending cash online to someone using a prepaid debit card is to reload your recipient’s existing card. With most cards, like the Western Union® Prepaid Visa Card, you can do this easily online using your own debit card, credit card, or bank account as payment.

If your recipient doesn’t already have a prepaid debit card, you can purchase one for them and add cash to the card immediately.

However, unless the issuer offers a digital card option, you’ll have to give the recipient the physical card so they can use it to make purchases or withdraw cash. This likely will require mailing the card, which can bring additional risk when sending money.

Pros	Cons
Can be initiated remotely Secure, direct transfer between banks High transaction limits	Usually has high fees Cannot be easily reversed or canceled Only processed during banking hours

6. Cashier’s check

A cashier’s check is similar to a personal check, but more secure. You pay for it at the counter, and the bank teller draws the check from the bank’s own funds. Since the check is prepaid, the recipient knows it won’t bounce.

People often use cashier’s checks to make large payments, such as for real estate transactions or sending large sums to a family member.

Here is the step-by-step process for sending cash to someone using a cashier’s check:

1. Visit your local bank or credit union branch.
2. Provide the recipient’s name and dollar amount you want to send.
3. Show a government-issued photo ID to verify your identity.
4. Provide the debit card, bank details, or cash to pay for the cashier’s check. Note that banks often charge fees for cashier’s checks.
5. Verify that the payment details are correct.
6. Receive your cashier’s check and send it to your recipient.

To secure your cashier’s check on its way to the recipient, use a delivery service that tracks your package, requires a signature upon receipt, and confirms delivery once the check arrives.

Pros	Cons
Funds are guaranteed Checks are traceable and secure Clear quicker than personal checks	Can come with fees Not issued by all banks or financial institutions Risk of theft

7. Personal check

The tried-and-true personal check is one of the most common methods of sending cash to someone. When you write a check, you promise to pay your recipient from funds in your bank account. They can then cash your check or deposit it into their own account.

You’ll fill out the following fields on a personal check:

• Date: When the check is written or can be cashed
• Payee: The check’s recipient
• Amount: The dollar amount of the payment
• Memo: The purpose of the payment (optional)
• Signature: Used to authorize the check

Personal checks are secure because they require the recipient’s endorsement and you can track them, making them safer than sending currency. However, a personal check can still bounce after it’s written if it’s drawn from a bank account without sufficient funds. Plus, a check could potentially be forged if your checkbook is stolen, so it’s the least secure method of sending or receiving cash on this list.

Pros	Cons
Widely accepted Convenient No fees	Risk of fraud or theft Delay in processing No instant confirmation

Know how to send cash securely

Knowing how to send cash to someone safely can help you avoid fraud, theft, and other risks. Start by choosing a secure payment method based on your needs. Money orders and money transfer apps are the two of the most secure methods. Mobile wallets, wire transfers, and prepaid cards are other ways to send money easily and electronically. Checks are the least secure, but they’re widely accepted and cheap to use.

Follow the tips below for added security:

• Only send money to people you trust.
• Verify your recipient’s bank details and personal information before sending.
• When sending through the mail, add insurance and request delivery confirmation.
• Consider using a trusted third party to secure your transaction.

You can start sending cash today when you register for an account with Western Union. We use advanced encryption technology to keep your personal and financial info safe. Begin a money transfer by downloading the Western Union® app or visiting a Western Union location near you.