Western Union data heist: 'Human error'

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Western Union Scam

Here?s my experience with Western Union:

I'd sent money to a recipient in Russia via Western Union. I?d sent money to Russia via Western Union before, to different recipient, without a problem.

Western Union phoned me 5 (yes FIVE) days later to inform me they could not deliver the money.

The reason they gave was that my recipient has a 'suspicious' name.

The reason they gave for the five day delay was that they had to ?conduct an investigation' in the words of their extremely rude employees.

They also said I had to provide an address for the recipient.

There was no space for recipients address on the form I had to fill out when I sent the money originally. The agent that took the money to be sent, including a substantial Western Union fee never asked me for an address, or informed me that such a problem might arise.

What irked me most was firstly the FIVE DAY delay (yes, FIVE DAYS for something billed as an 'instant' service to tell you they decided not to put it through, but to run an 'investigation' instead) and secondly how their agents who phoned me and the supervisor I managed to talk to made it out to be normal and somehow MY fault for not providing the address. I repeat, there is no space for recipients address on 'send money' form, nor was I informed by the agent that such information even MIGHT be necessary. I would have happily provided the address.

As for a suspicious name, my recipient has one of the most common names in Russia, not that it should be in any way relevant.

So it seems the whole Western Union company is a scam. Beware

Now a little girls birthday has passed, I am embarrassed to the nth degree, all because Western Union decided it was somehow their function to hold MY MONEY for FIVE DAYS and to ?run an investigation? (in the words of their extremely rude employees) instead of either sending my money ?in minutes? as promised in their advertisements or at least phoning me the next day, maybe two days after to tell me they had a problem with providing the service they already CHARGED THEIR FEE FOR.

Posted by: Timmy76   Posted on: 05/11/08 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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