How to Transfer Money with Western Union

Author Info

Last Updated: February 5, 2024 Approved

Western Union is a wire transfer service that allows you to quickly transfer money all over the globe. While it’s not without risks, it is a reliable way to get money to friends and family almost anywhere in the world. Follow this guide to make sure your money gets to where it needs to go.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Sending Money

Download Article

1
Know who you’re transferring to. Western Union is a popular way for scam artists to receive money from their victims, so be absolutely sure that you know the person that you are sending the money to, and that you trust what the money is for.^{[1]
X
Research source} Western Union has the following guidelines on when not to send money:
- Never send money to a grandchild, family member, or friend for an emergency situation that you haven’t personally confirmed through a reliable source.
- Never send money to someone you just met online.
- Never use Western Union for internet purchases (there is no guarantee that the person will send the purchased goods to you).
- Never send money through Western Union for an employment opportunity or to claim "lottery winnings". You will often be prompted via email to send money to West African countries, such as Nigeria or Ghana in these situations. Remember that unsolicited emails are often scams - you did not win a lottery and you weren't selected by a "prince" to receive millions of dollars.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- Never send Western Union transfers for purchases or sales on sites like Craigslist.com. Sometimes, a buyer will claim to purchase something you have put up for sale and send a check for more than the price. They will then ask you to send a Western Union transfer for the difference. This is a common scam.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
2
Verify the recipient's location and name. You will need their location so you know what city to send the money to. Make sure you know the name that is used on their ID because this will be used to verify the funds are being released to the right person.
- Make sure that the recipient has a local Western Union that they can visit, and that you are able to send money to their location.
Advertisement
3
Send money from a Western Union branch. Find your local Western Union office and fill out the necessary forms. You can send money from a branch in several ways: via cash, with a credit or debit card, or from bank account to bank account. Using your credit card may result in a cash-advance fee imposed by the card issuer.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Fees vary depending on what payment method you choose, where you are sending money from, and where you are sending it to.
- If you are transferring from one bank account to another, you will need your recipient’s bank name, BIC (Bank Identifier Code) and IBAN (International Bank Account Number) numbers, and the account numbers. You may need additional information for certain countries.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
- Money may be available after a few minutes or a few days, again depending on location and payment method.
- Save the MTCN number. This is the tracking code and the recipient will need to give this when receiving money.
4
Send money through the Western Union website. Click the Send Money link on the Western Union homepage. Select Send Online. Fill out the form, and choose how you want to pay. You can either send the money with a credit or debit card, or with your bank account. The recipient can either pick up cash at a Western Union branch, or have the money deposited into a bank account.
- Using your credit card may result in a cash-advance fee imposed by the card issuer.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
- You will need to create a Western Union account to use the online transfer service.
- Fees vary depending on what payment method you choose, where you are sending money from, and where you are sending it to.
- Save the MTCN number. This is the tracking code and the recipient will need to give this when receiving money.
5
Send money over the phone. Call the Western Union toll-free number, which can be found on the website. Provide the agent with the necessary recipient information, and pay with a credit or debit card.
- Using your credit card may result in a cash-advance fee imposed by the card issuer.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
- Fees vary depending on what payment method you choose, where you are sending money from, and where you are sending it to.
- Save the MTCN number. This is the tracking code and the recipient will need to give this when receiving money.
Western Union's mobile app allows users to send money, track sent money, and pay bills right from their phones. The app is available for both IOS and Android platforms.^{[8]
X
Research source}
Provide them with the MTCN number given to you by Western Union, which they can use on the form when they go to an agent location to pick up the money. Advise them again that they will also need a government-issued ID that matches the name of the intended recipient to collect the money.^{[9]
X
Research source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Receiving Money

Download Article

1
Pick your money up from a local branch. If you are receiving your money in person, you can visit your local Western Union to pick it up. You will need the MTCN number and a photo ID with a name that matches the recipient exactly.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- You can locate the nearest Western Union location on their website.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
2
Have the money transferred to your account. If you want to receive money in your bank account, you will need to inform the sender and provide them your necessary banking information. This includes your IBAN, BIC, and account number.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- The money will show up in your account a few days after the transfer occurs.
- This service may not be available in your country or with your bank.
This card will allow you to receive money, and then use the card like a debit for purchases and payments. Once you register the card, you can log in to your Western Union account and input the MTCN to have the money loaded onto your card. You can also load money onto the card by phone.^{[13]
X
Research source}
Certain carriers in select countries allow the transfer of funds directly to a "mobile wallet" on a cell phone. See Western Union's website for more details.^{[14]
X
Research source}

Join the Discussion...

What are the easiest, safest methods to send money to someone?

36

WikiLionWatcher116

So I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty good at this adulting thing but I’ve never sent money to someone. Friends will talk about sending each... Read More

Steven Kibbel
Certified Financial Planner

Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle are perfectly safe to use but you must confirm that you’re sending money to the right person. There are a lot of scams... Read More

WikiGladeCatcher583

Venmo is also the one my friends and I use! Haven't had any problems so far. If you're concerned about safety, just make sure you confirm the han... Read More

See all 4 Replies and

Read Discussion

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What is the transfer limit?

Michael R. Lewis
Business Advisor
Michael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. He has over 40 years of experience in business and finance, including as a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin.

Michael R. Lewis

Business Advisor

Expert Answer

The limits vary per origination and destination country, your transaction history, and the method you choose to send the money (online or in person). For example, the limit for the mobile money transfer service is generally $500 USD while the maximum online transfer is $2,999 USD.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 18 Helpful 44
Question

Is there a fee to transfer money?

Michael R. Lewis
Business Advisor
Michael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. He has over 40 years of experience in business and finance, including as a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin.

Michael R. Lewis

Business Advisor

Expert Answer

Yes, there are fees for the Western Union money transfer services depending upon the method of ordering, the locations of the sender and recipient, and the specific service chosen. Contact a local Western Union office or visit their website to review their fees.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 22 Helpful 26

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Fees will vary based on the amount of money you are sending, where you are sending it to, and how you are sending it. For example, it is cheapest to send and receive money using the Western Union website or their app.^{[15]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Transferring money with Western Union is generally the least expensive when transferring a small amount of money to someone in the same country. Fees are higher when currency must be exchanged for the money transfer. You can estimate foreign exchange fees on the Western Union website before sending money.^{[16]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Special promotions may reduce fees to send certain monetary amounts to and from certain locations or countries.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Always be sure of who you are sending money to.

Thanks
Helpful 98 Not Helpful 38
Never disclose your activity to someone you don't trust.

Thanks
Helpful 25 Not Helpful 12
Always verify that any communications received regarding your activity with Western Union are in fact from Western Union.

Thanks
Helpful 44 Not Helpful 29
Not all services are available at all agent locations, and not all countries will allow every method of sending money.

Thanks
Helpful 17 Not Helpful 13