The Bank Robbers are in The Bank
By Boraxo
@Boraxo (225)
United States
January 10, 2009 12:07pm CST
I recently ran a contest at my Yuwie site and the prize was money. I sent the first prize to the Phillipines through Western Union and after some red tape the transaction was complete. I then sent 500 dollars to my youngest daughter in Florida through once again Western Union and I was given a transfer control number and went about my business. I then recieved a call from my daughter that she did not get the money and I called Western Union and was informed the transaction had been cancelled and for security reasons they could not tell me why? Well I was totally angered that they could not tell me but eventually I figured it out that I used a debit card and the transaction exceeded my daily withdrawl so off to the bank to get the cash and go to an agent and pay with cash. Why was it such a security issue to tell me that the debit was more than my daily amount. So I now call on phone to once again to Western Union to send 50 dollars to the other contestant in the contest. I complete transaction, recieve transfer control number, and take my vacation to see my oldest daughter in Michigan. When I return home I get an email from the contestant that the money, transaction or transfer control number is not on record and she can not get the money. I once again call Western Union and they inform me that the transaction has be cancelled. Here is the problem, they sent me an email that the transaction was complete and gave me a control number and debited my account $72 dollars, so I assume the deal is done. Why did they not send an email to me saying they had cancelled the transaction. I call and she says to call my bank that the money was not
processed and the bank should give me credit, so I called and my bank says that Western Union did debit my account and that I would have to make a claim to get my money back. So my account has a 72 dollar debit for nothing, the customer service at Western Union says that for security reasons they can not give me any information, and now I have to make a claim to get my money credited back into my account.
Why did they not send notification of cancelation of transaction?
Why did they not really cancel the debit and notify my bank?
If I had not heard from the contestant I would never had know they did not complete the transaction. Did they intent on keeping my money for nothing? Is it right to tie up my 72 dollars for nothing? There is no competition agaist Western Union and they do anything they please and tell you nothing and claim it is security, I believe if they do this to many customers that they use their money for capital gain and in essence they are getting monies to conduct business by using others money without paying interest. The Bank Robbers are in The Bank.
10 responses
@alyssakenzie (462)
• United States
10 Jan 09
I have had numerous problems with western union. Their customer service department is among the worst I think I have ever had to deal with and hopefully I am through ever having to deal with them again since I use other companies to transfer money know and try and stay as far away from their counters as I can. They are out for what they can get and nothing more and won't admit when the mess up is their fault instead they find a way to try and blame you for it. If I were you I would try and find a new company around your home and see if you can have better luck with them. I would also keep comtacting them everyday about the money the owe to you. Bug them till they give it back or you can report them to numerous places and let them know you did it. I wish you luck.
@Boraxo (225)
• United States
10 Jan 09
My bank made a claim and I will eventually get my money back its just the fact that they have a measley 72 dollars tid up for a month. If you compound that by a thousand customers now we are talking 72 grand and that is very possible during the holiday season. I will look for another service, anyone have a name of another company that does the same kind of business?
@alyssakenzie (462)
• United States
11 Jan 09
There are a few around where I am. I usually go to walmart and they will do it at there customer service desk and it has always been easy and fast and I have never had any problem. If there isn't a walmart around you than you could look in the phone book and see what is in your area or look it up online, I have a few options that I can choose from here so I am sure there should be something close to you. Hope you get your money back soon.
@bing28 (3795)
• Philippines
12 Jan 09
sorry to hear what happened Mike, hope everything will be alright. Good there's no problem with the money you sent me via WU. I'm just luckier perhaps, hope everything will be settled and have your money back. WU must care enoughfor their customers satisfaction.
@suruchi86 (1873)
• India
11 Jan 09
I also have similar experience with western union and don't like them anymore.
@suruchi86 (1873)
• India
12 Jan 09
Yes, I think, whosoever is harassing the customers and involved in unethical practices, must be punished.
@Boraxo (225)
• United States
11 Jan 09
I have used WU for years and it was just through the holiday season that I had any problems, but if I find a different wire service I am through with them. It is times like this that I wish I had a million subscribers to one of my blogs....then I would think I would have some impact.
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
10 Jan 09
I've had problems with Western Union in the past too. Since you used a debit card, can't you dispute the charge through your bank? When you call your bank (I assume you're using the number on the back of the debit card?) ask to speak with a supervisor. Might as well start with somebody who is better able to help you. Too many times, operators at call centers are in a hurry to get you off the phone, since they are penalized for calls that go over a certain amount of time.
If you get no satisfaction, go to your bank and initiate a conference call with Western Union and a bank manager. If you are the instigator of the money transfer and Western Union can't give you any information 'for security reasons', who can they give it to?
My suggestions other than the above is to keep an eye on your credit reports, and to consider using paypal for payments of your contests.
@Boraxo (225)
• United States
11 Jan 09
I have a claim with my bank and will get a credit back to account. They told me they need to do an investigation....it is just plain ridiculous that all this effort to get my funds back without WU getting penalized for holding my funds. They should have to pay interest or something just BS.
1 person likes this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
11 Jan 09
I agree. Sure doesn't sound right that they can do that sort of thing and get away with it. Especially not without a good explanation. And it's rediculous that they won't talk to you about your own account and transactions. Maybe they're trying to fund somebody's annual bonus with your money....
@ensurepune (44)
• India
11 Jan 09
it is really shocking to know about the western union's reputation.really shocking one.but see the complaints are everywhere, but some does answer them,some don't,so i feel very bad about the western union,how they treat their customer.
i know about there method, they use it for their own profit by engaging our money with some HYIP program.
@writermom8 (913)
• Philippines
10 Jan 09
You know, when two of my friends' Yahoo accounts were hacked, the hackers sent out emails to all their contacts that the account owner is stranded somewhere and lost their money to robbers and to please send them money using Western Union addressed to the manager of the hotel for security reasons, so and so and so.
I've found it odd that criminals seem to be using Western Union for so many dubious activities. Is it because of the so-called "security reasons" that are vaguely explained in the first place? That this confidentiality clause actually protects the questionable clients which, in turn, makes life harder for the honest ones?
I have heard stories here in my country when people get text messages telling them they won millions and that they only need to send a small processing fee via (again) Western Union so that they can claim the money. Sadly, a lot of gullible people have fallen victim to this scam. What's appalling is that all the reports I heard indicated that when you send money via Western Union and it is claimed in another part of the world, you won't be able to trace it anymore. That is totally incomprehensible to me.
In a yahoogroup I belong to, people only transact via Paypal. And we receive all emails with the footer "Never send anything via Western Union". At least people are getting wiser in not dealing with this company.
Anyway, I hope you get your money back. Life is really so unfair sometimes.
@Boraxo (225)
• United States
10 Jan 09
I also use Pay Pal, however in this case the contestant did not have an account and had originally intented to just send a check.....I wanted to be proactive and get the money to them before the holiday so I went to Western Union....what really sucks is I paid extra for the "Money in Minutes", and it was actually "Money in Western Union's Pocket." I suspect part of the problem may have been that the contestant did not go and get the money right away and maybe the reason for cancellation but they will not tell me why....but at the very least I should of been notified of cancellation and my account credited for the money
@Czheckproductions (151)
• United States
11 Jan 09
yeah that sucks man paypal and ebay are the same way ive lost over 700 on those 2 sites.any type of money transaction should be guarrented
@Autumnrose2008 (1478)
• United States
10 Jan 09
I for one will not use western union. They are underhanded and all of my fears have played out in your tale. I have never used them and now I never will. I have to agree with you why should you have to make a claim to get your money back. They need to credit your account. It is a very simple process its call a refund but I guess they are not familar with that term as they us the undeliverable money to fund there business. What a scam. Thanks so much for the warning just makes me even happier to use paypal and a few other online payment processors. Good luck getting your money and happy mylotting.
@Boraxo (225)
• United States
10 Jan 09
Seems that a simple email saying they cancelled the transaction would of been a start to the process of customer service, and as you say a refund to my bank account for the amount that was debited. I have never done business with a corporation this large that has such a bad customer service department with total disregard for the clients concerns about transactions that benefit the corporation.
@TheCasualReporter (283)
• France
10 Jan 09
There are so many convenient ways to pay someone these days I'm surprised you weren't able to find a more cost effective and efficient means of making a transfer than Western Union. Based on this discussion I think if I were in your shoes I'd structure my next competition to make sure I wouldn't have to use Western Union again. Bummer for you.
