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CB Investment, Insurance and Financial Western Union declined money transfe - ridiculous reason
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Western Union review: declined money transfe - ridiculous reason 32

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1:45 am EST
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I tried to transfer some money online to a family member overseas. I've done this 5-6 times in the past 24 months without any problem. Sometimes I would have to make an extra call to confirm it. Understandable.
This time it was different though. The operator requests to call me back. Okay. But there's a problem she says. My number IS NOT LISTED IN THE YELLOW PAGES UNDER MY NAME! Whaaaat?! It's a cell phone... "well if it's not listed we cannot do anything". I asked for a supervisor, was put on hold for a few minutes and then they just hung up. Goodbye to a lot of US business. I wasted an hour with your deceptive practices.

I'm done doing business with these crooks. I've looked around and found some pretty solid competition. We'll see how good they are.

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The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

32 comments
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lawscott2
Hopewell, US
Jan 03, 2023 8:33 am EST

WU should be banned in the USA. They audited my income and still refused me service. I'm through with them.

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Holiday Lighting USA
Wadsworth, US
Jun 27, 2022 11:10 am EDT

I am trying to send money to a supplier for my company holiday lighting USA

It was less than 3 grand. This first 3 times I went to several WU locations, first 2 were rejected outright with no explanation. the 3rd one they were able to say they could send but then the Security Dept flagged it. Really what am I a terrorist ? Drug dealer ? NO I am a holiday lighting company trying to pay for an order.

Then I was told to call WU customer service... while trying to get them to accept or tell me why I could not send the money with me on customer service line and the manager of the store with another one for over an hour and not able to send.

I came home after 4 hours of driving to different locations THEY suggested to go to send money. Was told to call customer service... Called customer service and found I was not black listed and should have no problem sending the money...

Was told to email the security dept and give all the info I need and I would be answered... 4 days later NO REPLY from WU...

WU is the worst financial company to try to use to send money... I guess I am lucky I got my money back

DO NOT USE THESE IDIOTS to send your money as they are so corrupt company I have every tried to use and sadly I have used them for the last 15 years with no problem. FU WU

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Gary De Capua
, US
Apr 14, 2023 11:44 pm EDT

Yes, I am having the same issue. Western Union, I received a email message saying WD would refund my money, that was in January, today is April. Still no REFUND. DO NOT USE WD for transferring money or to send money.

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Kv54
Clarksville, Tennessee, US
Sep 28, 2021 1:50 pm EDT

I have been sending money to my grandchildren in the Philippines for 3 years now I am suddenly blocked and western union won't tell me why they don't ask me anything they just keep silent now my grandchildren doesn't have water I can't get money to them plus very little food

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pomajc
Stamford, Connecticut, US
Oct 03, 2021 8:37 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Kv54

the same thing happened to me. I'm done with them.

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Sallo Tulu
Düsseldorf, DE
Oct 13, 2022 7:05 am EDT
Replying to comment of Kv54

I have the same issue. My parents are trying to send me money from Jordan to Germany, they did that several times and nothing has happened before.

I renewed my passport and since 2 months I am trying to get the money my parents have sent, WU blocked me. they did not give any clear reasons, till now I am very worried and they dont reply my emails.

Andreas Bergmann
Andreas Bergmann
, US
Mar 06, 2020 12:37 pm EST

Western Union vs. MoneyGram

https://www.finder.com/western-union-vs-moneygram

Andreas Bergmann
Andreas Bergmann
, US
Mar 06, 2020 12:32 pm EST

https://www.moneygram.com/mgo/us/en/

Andreas Bergmann
Andreas Bergmann
, US
Mar 06, 2020 12:30 pm EST

USE MONEYGRAM

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Laurieb3
, US
Dec 19, 2019 7:19 am EST

I never did any thing wrong. It was always family or a few friends that sent to me from USA to North Africa. One representative there said my name might be a problem what ever that ment. Good thing is the money was refunded. Even the representative called she said it was from us side not them. They money was going though but was not being allowed to be released to me. no more Wu for me. They suck and I hope they go out of business

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Laurieb3
, US
Dec 19, 2019 7:14 am EST

I advise anyone don't use Western Union. The same thing happened to me years ago. I was living in north Africa and had use W U for years. Then out of blue say I can't use then any more. They suck could not even give a reason. Just said I can't use their services anymore

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Frank Burns
, US
Oct 21, 2019 10:58 pm EDT

I just had a similar transaction - CANCELED without any reason. This must have recently started because other services like Remitly did the same. Are the banks or govt trying to prevent money from leaving the U.S.? If so then how about the billions sent to Mexico. My buddies don't get this kind of crap when they send money. F...k WU, Remitly and all the others.

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Oyedele
, US
Jul 26, 2019 7:41 am EDT

what does Code 2008 mean?

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Steve Bodi
, US
Jan 06, 2017 9:29 am EST

I have started a small charity and 2 weeks ago I sent $1500 to a man that is wirking for the charity overseas...no problem. Today I tried swnding more money and it was declined by Western Union and when I spoke to the girl(bad english) and I asked her why it was declined, all she said over and over was it's in the terms and conditions...nothing else!

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franny42
, US
Nov 15, 2016 12:03 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

just happened today i was sending money to my daughter who is residing in china
got ahead with everything but got an email saying that i needed to call to complete the transfer
as i called they asked me a series of questions to which i answered truthfully
at the end he tells me that it had been declined as i had failed the security process
like seriously what question did i answer wrong?
all i can say is poor services.

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Mike Finley
, US
Jul 22, 2016 5:30 am EDT

all of us have the same story. We have all been the victim of western union. Never in my 66 years have I ever seen worst customer service. I would never send 10 cents through western union. People do not understand how they treat their customers. Also they speak the worst English and are impossible to deal with

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Greg Grimer
, US
Jun 15, 2016 2:24 pm EDT

Agree with the above, they are utter crooks and incompetent to boot. They'll sit on your money and wont keep you updated. Find and alternative and don't use them.

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SarahJones78
, US
Jun 09, 2016 10:58 am EDT

I too was told to call and verify the transaction as it had been put on a hold status. They wanted a picture of my photo ID, both my dates of birth and location, my address and phone number and all of the same information for my father. Needless to say I decided to go another route. I called them today, 3 days later, as they have already taken the money out of my account wondering when it would be refunded as I am refusing to send them all that ridiculous information. I talked to three different people (assuming by accent they are in India but named Jennifer, James and Brian), who all told me that in order to cancel the information they would need to verify who I was and needed the same information that I refused to give the first time. The senior manager (Brian) refused to transfer me to the validation department, refused to transfer me any higher. I also asked him at what point after not being able to validate, does my transaction automatically get refunded due to non verification, how many days? He stated that it stays in a hold status indefinitely as they could not verify the account they would be refunding it to. So basically they have stolen my money. I don't think they need that information and no where on the main site before sending the transfer does it state they need all that information. Thieves. Calling bank, USAA, to see what can be done.

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Langdon
, US
Dec 24, 2015 10:04 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I was declined recently when I wanted to send my deathly sick Grandmother plane fare to Hawaii where surgery was already scheduled. Their reason was that I had never personally met her caretaker. My grandmother is completely immobile. they insisted my grandmother pick up the money and it was impossible to send money to the caretaker since I had never met him personally only talked to him on the phone. They told me this were their rules if though they have such a duty of care in life threatening circumstances it will probably result in negligent to their corporate officers twice they agreed and approved each transfer however their employees still refused. I was trying to transfer $2500.00 twice they have drawn the funds out of my bank via debit card refunded it via debit card but after several days it has not been refunded to my bank. I called the FBI in OKC the gentleman said he understood my problem but the FBI could not spend 5 minutes to resolve the problem.

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nickialize
Westminster, GB
Oct 31, 2014 1:38 pm EDT

Today I called western union this time I was the receiver at the other end so it's a transfer from newyork to London I called in luckily before I even got ready and made my way to the bank so I'm on the phone talking to them and they said well your money is on hold we need to speak to the sender just for confirmation (understandable) I emailed her and asked her to call them she emailed me back saying they had asked her questions about my occupation and why she is sending money and my age like seriously? ? Are these questions even necessary? They had told her we might release the money 1pm eastern time that would make that 5 pm in london so I was sure that there has been some kind of mistake confidently I had just waited till 6pm and rang them back to be told they had declined when I had asked why they said it doesn't say why we could give you an email to ask the head office why? What kind of fucving [censored] company are you like seriously you had me waiting for over a day to tell me you have no idea what it got declined but some how it did and when I really wanted an answer as I refused to get off the phone he said it was not enough they can make out from? Piece of crap I hope your company burns and goes bankrupt I will be praying every min of my life so this company fails in life made me wait around for god knows what reason I had plans [censored]! Burn in hell

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Naomi Arches
Roswell, US
May 26, 2014 12:18 am EDT

I hate western union I been sending money online for years never again...

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Cynthias55
, ZA
Mar 12, 2014 10:08 am EDT

i received an email saying i have inheritance and the money is been sent through western union and i should pay service fees of $78 to Lawrence Nwaekwe.I would just like to know if there is a Lawrence Nwaekwe at western union in Benin, Cotonou.

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Bobs251
Rancho Santa Margarita, US
Mar 04, 2014 6:42 pm EST

I've sent money before with no problem. Today I try to sendmoney and it's declined. They would not tell me why, asked for a reason, noreason given. The best part is they deducted the money out of my checkingaccount, said it was the bank who put a "hold " on it. Funny I'mlooking at my account online now and it say debit-WESTERN UNION-. But yeah, they say they didn't take it out. Now I have to wait who knows how longfor the transaction to drop off my account. I'll NEVER do businesswith them again as basically giving Western Union an interest free loan isabsolute nonsense. NEVER AGAIN.

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cdechoix
Albuquerque, US
Nov 10, 2011 3:30 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Western Union cannot even handle a small $350 overseas. I tried to make a transaction online
(MTCN [protected]). Western Union took the money out of my Bank of America account but they never delivered it overseas to my daughter with a medical emergency? Where is the money? I think Western Union online is some sort of scam. They have my money and I guess I need to go to my bank and see if they can track these scammers down. I feel WESTERN UNION is a rip off with zero customer concern.

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Septimus
Whitby, CA
Jun 27, 2011 5:30 pm EDT

It happened to me just today! I sent money on line from my WU account and the last screen asked me to call them. I talked to three agents and I could not believe the questions they were asking for "a third party" whose name was denied to me!
How come no authority takes any measures with these people? Who IS Western Union?

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Sandra1234
Starke, US
Apr 25, 2011 6:40 pm EDT

This is so Ridiculous i just had the same problem, try to send money over the phone they can't process the transaction because my phone # is not listed under my name and they took the money from my bank, they stated the bank is responsable for releasing the money later on, but i have an emergency and I need to send my money inmediately...the supervisor that I complain was so stupid same as the representatives, they can't explain why was the payment process if the if they can't verify the information, this is so poor customer service...I wish someone is able to do something about this...I'm so madddddddddd.

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ddfree76
Norwalk, US
Sep 29, 2010 2:24 pm EDT

I'm trying to transfer money through Western Union. I sign up or login in as requested with all of my personal information, I even received an email back while doing so to let me know I now am in their system. I hit the transfer button only to get a screen that requests me to contact their 800 number to confirm. I do so, answer all of their questions and then was told they could not process it since my cell phone is not in my name but my husband"s. I am ready to blow, what the heck is this? He tells me he will give me a 50 % discount code so I can personally go to a branch and do it by cash or debit, fine I guess I tell him and hang up. I log in to my bank account a few moments later to find out the money was taken out of my checking account already! I call Western Union back and of course they push the problem back off on me and my bank. I have to wait for my bank to put the money back on my card which will take at least 24 hours. Now I can't even go into a branch and do the transfer because I no longer have the money to do so. NOT that I would now after all of the grief I have gone through during these phone calls. The only question I kept asking is why would they even touch my account? They could at least do their "qualifing phone number" check first! They are not effected by this at all. I really regret ever thinking of them and will be sending a letter to all of my accounts that use Western Union.

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arule12!
, US
Jul 14, 2010 7:25 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

WU just did the same thing to me! Even though I could verify EVERYTHING including the pop up that my bank adds onto western unions security! This is RIDICULOUS! I asked what if I don't have a phone...they never did answer that. OMG!

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DustyVan
Coeur d'Alene, US
Apr 30, 2010 6:50 pm EDT

I have an even better one! My wife (who just happens to work as a supervisor in a cresit card call center) has been sending money to one or other of our kids for a while. Yesterday she was at work so I set up an account for myself. I own and live at a motel so the phone is in the motel name. After all the registration and trasnaction BS I was told to call for verification. Well, the phone not being in my name killed that. Then, when my wife got home she sat down to send the money with her account. BUT WAIT! Her phone number is the same phone number I tried to register with so her account went on hold too. That's after they put an authorization hold on the funds in her checking account. She called them and talked to a "technical" person to get the hold removed. This so called "technical persone" could do no more than read from a script. Needless to say we're now using Walmarts moneygrams.

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Rudy O
, US
Mar 28, 2010 12:07 pm EDT

Just last night. I myself has been a customer for a few years, sending money from the same house, phone, recipient, etc. I gave them five phone numbers, no make that six including my work number, home and four other cell numbers that I know are all registered to me. They hung up on me the first time and when I called again and spoke to probably the same lady Joyce was talking about. She insisted that all of them are unlisted and one is not in my name and address. I responded with the same "RIDICULOUS." She did not like that at all.

I see that my bank approved the transfer and I hope they don't charge my account for it and get the same run around other people complained about. Fingers crossed.

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hzzzzz
New York, US
Feb 27, 2010 3:54 pm EST

me too. asked me to call them back to confirm my identity and then asked if i had a job, my cell phone #, work phone #, and then said they couldn't confirm my identity with these #s! whats more, i checked my account and found they withdrew the amount i was attempting to transfer already. called them back and they said it would be credited back into my account after a period that they don't know for sure ("it depends on which bank you are using"!) really pissed off

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Joyce Thomas
Okemah, OK, US
Feb 04, 2010 3:11 pm EST

Western Union has made some really good money off of me in the past. Not anymore. After waiting and waiting and waiting for a very online slow system to transfer the much needed money back home, (I work out of state).
I finally am able to say 'YES!", it's working!
Only to get an online message which prompts me to fill out a questionnaire to verify who I am. I do this (my patience is wearing thin, I am at work.) After I have completed the questionnaire, provided by Western Union, I am then told I am required to call a toll free number (HELLO! I am at work!), to confirm who I am.
Then, I am connected to some ‘chick’ in the Philippines and this 'chick' tells me that she needs to call me back, I am required to give her a phone number (you have my personal phone number and work phone number on file!). I'm told it's "NO GOOD" What?
I give this ‘chick’, 3 (THREE) phone numbers to call me at. I am then TOLD, my transfer cannot be completed because she cannot confirm my PHONE NUMBERS?
What?
I SUPPLIED THE PHONE NUMBERS AS REQUESTED, AND SHE REFUSED TO CALL ME? WHAT? MY TRANSFER WAS DENIED? Cannot verify my phone number?
Western Union has my account info, my address, my phone number, and MY TRANSFER history (WHICH THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $25.00 FOR EACH TRANACTION TO CONFIRM),
BUT MY TRANSFER WAS DENIED?
So much for Western Union! Are you all from a foreign country?