I could go into great deal about how my experience with Western Union's call center almost drove me to beat my head against a concrete wall, but it's actually irrelevant to the complaint.

The situation is as follows:
The product seems convenient and simple enough. I needed to send money to someone an hour away from my location at the time, so that she could meet me at said location. Through a series of faulty solutions, I was guided (albeit "misguided") to Western Union. I filled out the online form and was then informed that, in order to complete the process, I would have to give them a call. I did. I answered a series of personal questions, which I find comforting. Very comforting, even though it's basic protocol. I was THEN informed that they would be contacting a credit agency and ask me another series of questions. I found that a little off-putting considering the transfer was for a meager twenty dollars. I agreed, of course. First question was simple. Second question...the second question is what stumped me. You see, my ex-wife bought a car in my name back in 2007. Since then, she has almost consecutively missed payments. They asked which bank the loan was through. I wasn't 100% sure, so I answered to the best of my ability. I was then informed that if I do not answer the questions, there would be NO way for them to complete the process. The next question...how many months was the loan taken out for?...I reiterrated, "There is no way that I can answer this question. It is impossible for me to answer." That was followed up with, "well, I'm sorry sir, but there is nothing I can do". Of course, from there, I wanted nothing more than to get a few questions answered and to hopefully speak with someone who knew of an alternative. That brought me nowhere...but I should have seen that one coming.
They've completely lost a potential customer, and I was even willing to pay the flat rate of $5 for $20 transfer (yes, that's a fee of 25%). This company wasn't willing to find an alternative what-so-ever, even though their process was ultimately unfair. I hope, although this complaint may be light in it's nature, that those whom have read it will consider finding other means of sending money.

Thanks for taking the time.

ATTENTION: JESSIE MARSH, FROM OFFICE OF THE WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.‏
From: Western Union Office Western Union Office ([email protected])
Sent: Thursday, 10 December 2009 9:04:27 p.m.
To: [email protected]


Welcome to Western Union

Send Money Worldwide
Office Line : +229 93 867 144
E-mail : [email protected]
FROM OFFICE OF THE WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS 455 AGBOKOU, ANKPA
ROAD OPPOSITE TUNDE MOTORS COTONOU.
WEBSITE.www.westernunion.com http://site.www.westernunion.com/
MOBILE PHONE:+229-93-867-144/ +229-97-345-082.

ATTENTION: JESSIE MARSH,

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY MY SEE MY NAME IN SCAMMER LIST? PLEASE CAN YOU FORWARD THE SITE TO US NOW? AS YOU CAN SEE HAVE TRIED OUR BEST TO TRANSFER YOUR FUNDS TO YOU, THEREFORE IF YOU REALLY WANT TO LOSE YOUR FUNDS LET US KNOW NOW, SO THAT WE WILL REFUND YOUR TOTAL FUNDS BACK TO MR. UCHE EZE BECAUSE WE TOLD YOU THE REASON WHY WE DID NOT DEDUCT THE FEE FROM YOUR TOTAL FUND, DUE TO WE TRIED TO DEDUCT THE FEE BUT THE MINISTER ADMINISTRATOR TRUST FUND OF BENIN REPUBLIC TOLD US THAT NO ONE HAS ACCESS OVER YOUR FUND AS IT HAVE BEEN SIGNED AND STAMPED THAT NO MONEY SHOULD BE DEDUCTED UNTIL IT GETS TO YOU TO AVOID ANY MISUNDERSTANDING BECAUSE IF ANY ONE HAS ACCESS TO THAT IT WILL INVOLVE YOU LOOSING YOUR FUNDS, SO THAT WAS WHY WE DID NOT DEDUCT THE FEE OUT FROM YOUR TOTAL FUND AND IF IS POSSIBLE FOR US TO DEDUCT THE FEE WE WOULD HAVE DONE THAT SINCE FOR YOU.


WE ARE WAITING FOR YOUR URGENT RESPONSE.

BEST REGARDS,

BARR. KENNETH LIEN.
FORIGN OPERATION MANAGER
WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC
THIS IS OUR CONDUCT CODE ( 303).

- Dear, Friend,

How are you today? I write to inform you that we have already sent you USD5000.00 dollars through Western union as we have been given the mandate to transfer your full compensation payment total sum of USD800, 000.00 via western union by this governemnt.

I was calling your telephone number to give you the information through phone but you did not pick up my calls throughout that yesterday even this morning.Now,

I decided to email you the MTCN and sender name so that you will pick up this USD6000.00 to enable us send another USD5000.00 today as you know we will be sending you only USD5000.00 per day.

Please pick up this information and run to western union to pick up the USD6000.00 and call me back to send you another payment today, Contact person:(Mr.Tony Uba).TEL:+229-98226826 E-mail:([email protected]) pick the $5, 000.00 USD6000.00 today.

Here is the western union information to pick up the USD6000.00;MTCN:070-812-9431 Text Question:HONEST Answer:TRUST Amount:USD5000.00 I am waiting for your call once you pick up this USD6000.00,

Please email me your direct telephone number because I need to be calling you once we send any payment for the informations.

Thanks Mr, Jude Ede,

i have 3 other emails regarding this from the same guy but with different details, i have tolda him (i know this is a scam) that i dont do western union transfer and would like to do it through paypal(then i can track his isp), his reply to that was : I was able to see mail, but it did not clarify what my mail was about. The money is for you, and it is ready for you. I do not see any reason why you should not look out for small money just to respect the requirement and get the 5000 USD.
I am sure, in life there is always sacrifices to be made, if you need to succeed.
PayPal does not work here in Benin Republic, West Africa; you can also use money gram if it works there to send the money in question or Money Express.
I thank you so much for you understanding and do try to send me your correct Phone number.


Tony Uba
Tel:00229-97061703

They say a sucker is born every day and this guy doesnt realise what other people are involved, unfortantly people do fall for things like this and they need to be stopped.

I used Western Union to transfer the amount of @1500 as loan to a friend in a matter of urgency. I filled in her details and the location where the transaction would take place as London UK and paid the necessary fee. The agent advised that, in order for the person to withsraw the amount, she must present a valid form of photo ID, namely passport or driver's licence.

My friend advised me that the money owed to her had now reached her account and would therefore not need a loan and kindly asked me to cancel the transaction and withdraw the amount using my passport.

I managed to do this the following day to hear to my dismay the amount had been withdrawn! I immediately wanted to know who by and where the transaction tok place to be only advised that I should call 0800 7314814 and find out for myself. As soon as I entered the tracking numberm the automated machine responded that the money which had been deposited on february 24th 2009 at 14:57 was withdrawn on febryary 24th 2009 at 11:25am!

This can only mean two things:

1. The times do not stack up = Western Union are lying and stole the money.

or

2. The only way for a past GMT time to reccur in the future is when one travels west, meaning that the money could have been paid out in a location further west than the UK = Western Union is in breech of their contractual obligation to carry out the contract according to the terms specified in the form: pay the amount to the person named on the contract and only them, in the location specified in the contract and after all necessary security checks had been passed.

I further tried to obtain more information about the transaction and, as advised by the Western Union telephone customer service, asked the agents to provide me with a receipt of the final transaction showing the paying-out agent's details and address as well as a scanned image of the ID that was used for the transaction. The agents refused me this service and referred me back to the automated machine operated telephone line, which obviously would not be able to provide me with this information.

Therefore I wish to file a complaint and a claim against the aforementioned company and if a settlemet is not reached take further legal action.

ONLY ONE PERSON FROM CHINA HAVE GOT HIS MONEY BACK WITHIN 2 MONTH. I CALLED HIM JUST NOW. WE HOPE WE CAN UNITE TOGETHER GET YOUR MONEY BACK!!!