Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Western Union® agents?

Establishments where you can send or receive money via Western Union are called agents. In Mexico there are more than 32,000 locations around the country which are divided among main supermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacies, pawn shops, banks and telegraph offices. We also have our own branches in Mexico City, Cancun, Cozumel and Los Cabos.

How do I find a Western Union agent?

You can easily find a nearby agent using our online locater or the WU app.

What do I need to do in order to send money through an agent?

Sending money through an agent is quick and easy, you just need to follow these steps:

  1. Fill out the applicable form.
  2. Show the cashier your official identification document.
  3. Give the cash to the cashier and sign the receipt.

Please see an agent for more information about transferring money.

What do I need to present in order to send money through an agent?

You will need to present one official piece of valid photo identification.

What is the maximum that I can send through an agent?

The maximum amount you can send will vary depending on the chosen agent, for more information please contact the agent directly.

Please see an agent for more information about transferring money.

When can I send money?

You can transfer money during the office hours of your selected agent. For more information please seek out a nearby agent.

How will I know if the money I sent has been received?

Take the following steps to find out if your money has been received:

  1. Go to the “track transfer” tab at the top of any page on our website.
  2. Type the sender’s name, the amount and the money transfer control number (MTCN).
  3. Check the status of the transfer.
How do I receive a money transfer?

In order to receive a money transfer from a participating agent, you just need to present one official piece of valid photo identification as well as the money transfer control number (MTCN) to the cashier.

Remember to read and sign the receipt so the cashier can give you the money together with a copy of the receipt.

What do I need to present in order to receive money from an agent?

You will need to present the following:

  • One official piece of valid photo identification.
  • Money transfer control number (MTCN).
How will I know if a money transfer is ready to be received?

To know whether your money transfer is ready to be received, visit our website and click on “Track transfer” at the top of the home page. You will need the name of the person who sent you the money, as well as the money transfer control number (MTCN).

How does Western Union pay out money transfers?

The money can be received in cash at any of our authorized branches in Mexico. You can also receive money directly to a bank account if the sender chooses this service when sending money from abroad.

Why is my receiver having issues picking up money in Mexico?

For transfers sent from the US to Mexico, there are specific payout restrictions for some agents in Mexico. This may affect receivers when they try to collect the money and some agents might not be able to pay the transfer. Our recommendation is to try a different Western Union agent location.

As a Western Union Money TransferSM user, we value your business and take pride in delivering your funds to the intended recipient in a fast, convenient and reliable manner. However, there are individuals throughout the world who will attempt to use any system to receive payments in connection with fraudulent sales or solicitations.

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.

Discontinue a call if a caller instructs you on how to respond to questions asked by Western Union.

Security is everyone’s responsibility. Stay informed about consumer fraud trends.

Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Are there common consumer fraud scenarios to be aware of ?

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 an email asking for your user ID, password or credit card details.Western Union will never send you an email asking for your user ID, password or credit card details.

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

The “Test Question” feature in the Western Union® Money TransferSM 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.

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 transfer 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 transfer 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 transfer, 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?

Contact your government’s Office of Consumer Affairs if you are uncertain or suspicious of a telephone, mail or email solicitation.

If you feel you have been the victim of fraud, you can contact your local police.

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 account by recording your user name and password.

How can I know the status of my money transfer?

You can check the status of your money transfer by clicking on “Track transfer” on our website. The only thing you need is the sender’s name and the money transfer control number (MTCN).

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

Once the money transfer has been sent, you can click on “Track transfer” on our website to check the status. You will only need your name and the money transfer control number (MTCN).

How do I know if I can pick up the money?

Simply click on “Track transfer” on our website to check the status of your money transfer. You will only need the sender’s name and the money transfer control number (MTCN).

Why does the status of my money transfer say pending?

Are there reasons why a money transfer might be pending? If it has been less than 30-40 minutes since the transfer was completed, it is possible that it has not yet been processed. Wait for a few minutes and then re-check the status.

Sometimes we need to confirm the sender’s identity before processing a money transfer. If this is the case, we will send an online receipt to the sender, as well as an e-mail requesting that they call us. Once we have confirmed the sender’s information, the transfer will go through and the receiver can pick up the money.

What does it mean when the status says available or reimbursed?

When the status says available, the transfer can be picked up by the receiver at any time.

If the status says reimbursed, the transfer was reimbursed to the sender and can be picked up.

Does it cost anything to register at Western Union’s website?

No, it’s free to register. You can register here. It only takes a minute.