Complaint Review: WESTERN UNION

Saturday, July 11, 2009 I made an attempt to send money via Western Union on line money transfer system. After I had filled out all the necessary information and hit send the website directs me to call 877-989-3268 to complete the transaction. I called, spoke to an agent who explains he has to ask me several "credit based" questions to establish my idenity for security purposes, O.K. After a couple of minutes of silence the agent returns to advise me the process is complete and the money is ready to be picked up in W.V. (that was easy,so I thought.)

A moment later the phone rings, it's my friend calling to say he is trying to pick up the money but his ID was a Federal Document not the required state ID , and they won't release the money. I asked to speak to the agent he was dealing with. As I was speaking with the agent, he exclaimed "the MTCN (money transfer control number) had just disappeared from the screen." No number No Money..

I then called the 877 number I had called earlier and spoke to another agent who informed me that Corporate had canceled the transaction. but I could take cash to a WU office and resend. I asked why, the agent had no answer, but did cop an attitude about the whole thing.

I tried again online sending the same amount to a different person this time, same thing, canceled transaction..I called, new agent, another attitude!! I gave Up! or would but they still have a HOLD on my money! My Bank says I can have my money on the 14th, if they release it, if they don't, I have to file a dispute.. WHAT A LOAD... THANKS WESTERN UNION, (oh by the way, IT's MY Money!!!!!!!).

Ron
Houston, Texas
U.S.A.