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Western Union "Interview"
 

So like a lot of sellers, I have a trusted supplier and I send my payments to them using Western Union.

Today I sent a transfer and it was frozen. Supplier was unable to pick it up.

I called Western Union and they said I need to call this number:
1-800-773-7948 and do an interview before they can unfreeze the funds.

Sketchy.

Anyone else experience this? I just don't want to lose this money....


Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

I used to use Western Union all the time.
And then they decided that they dont want my business one day. I couldn't pick up any payment that was sent to me - no matter who the sender was or what the amount.
No amount of calling or interviews made any difference.
Been working with Moneygram for the last couple of years and NEVER had a single problem with them. I find their service much easier and smoother to work with and will never even look at Western Union again who come across as very amateur in the way they do things compared to moneygram.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Wow interesting. Okay.

Looks like I'll be doing this stupid interview tomorrow in hopes that it will go through, and then quickly taking my business to MoneyGram.

What are the fees like with MoneyGram?

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

https://secure.moneygram.com

Not too bad.

:peace:


Keep in mind, the supplier might have triggered your problems too.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

It's possible. But it is likely me. I've been sending to multiple suppliers from my name for a few years now. Always around the same (pretty large) amount as well.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Nice to know that WU does this stupid thing...

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Yeah it's annoying.

I'm wondering if I should make something up, or if I should tell them that I am buying product to sell.

I'm glad I have the night to sleep on this.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

The fees with moneygram are pretty much the same. just much easier to deal with overall I find.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

they will ask for proof of income and what you're doing, etc. just tell them you want your money back and they will return it. then go to MG.

nothing to freak out about

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

How large was the amount sent OP? Just wondering

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Not that large, this time was just under 1k.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Just under 1k IS a large amount actually.
Cant imagine how large the really 'large' amounts are then.
Surprised you didn't attract attention prior to this.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Welp, just got off the phone.

Made up a good story, but in the end, BLACKLISTED.

Good riddance as far as I'm concerned.

So, who's got MoneyGram tips for me? :)

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Not surprised.
Moneygram might work although with the kind of money youre trying to move ill be surprised if it goes over smoothly as well.
If the amounts are that high you might want to consider just doing direct wire transfers.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Okay, thank you for the input slokor!

I could just lower the amounts, and order less at one time.

What do you think?

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Might work. Might not.
Its risky when youre sending payments that way.
Why not use another, more reliable method? surely your supplier accepts other forms of payment?

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

I have had a similar experience. It is not the payment size. It is the amount of payments you have sent over this year. When you call, they will ask for DOB and SSN. It will most likely be someone who sounds Indian who is not in the US. I do not know if it will go away after new calendar year starts or not, but I was not comfortable answering those questions to someone calling me from different country.

You may want to start seeing if you have any buddies, parents, significant others that are willing to help you with these transfers so it is spread out and not all just on your name.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Have had similar issues with WU as well, where they asked for my SSN, haven't had any issues with MG

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

bahh, i saw a roi.ded out guy in front of me once send $3k to europe. obviously for more ro.ids, especially since that is the hub of ill.egal ro.id supplements.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

First off, thank you so much to everyone for your input and posts!

The amount of responses is truly awesome!


For the MoneyGram users:
What is your fee usually like?
How much do you send?
Do you do it from home or in a store?

All and any help is great!!

Thanks guys!

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

I never send. I always receive.
From what I understand though the fees are pretty much the same.
Go on their website - Im sure youll be able to find out more.
Again I ask though - doesnt your supplier accept any other forms of payment? even Bitcoin? might make more sense to get things done that way and avoid the hassle.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

They do not accept Bitcoin.

Maybe PayPal? Would it be safe to pay with PayPal?

I feel like the PayPal would raise all kinds of flags.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

I would not get paypal involved given the amounts youre planning on sending.
Cant believe theyre not using Bitcoin. Strange.
Guess you need to look into direct wire transfers.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Agree with Slokor. If you are sending money to a place that sells less than legit merchandise, Paypal will most likely limit your account. I would not risk it

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

I agree with you guys. PayPal is a NO-GO.

I work too hard to stay in the good graces of PayPal, lol.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Stealf is always the answer :coffee:

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Huh?
I dont understand the relevance of your comment...

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

it doesnt get any easier

https://www.moneygram.com/wps/portal...home/estimator

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Yep, since I wrote that, I've checked it all out!:coffee:

It's literally identical to WU. Lol.



Edit: unknown5454, do you use MoneyGram to buy product?

If so, do you go in-store or online?

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

WU has been fine for me. i go in store. i tried online once and ran into issues.

both work the same. but it's good to get some anecdotal experience here with others saying they haven't had issues with getting payments frozen through MG. i honestly was not aware. it is well known WU does it all the time.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Getting Interviewed or Blacklisted from Western Union happens from sending to much money at once, Sending to much within a certain amount of time, or sending to multiple countries or a certain country like Costa Rica or Puerto Rico because they get suspicious that your playing with illegal online sportsbooks.

I have been using Western Union since 2010 with no problems being cautious of how much I'm sending to how many transfers I'm doing and most importantly using other alternatives such as Bank Wire, MoneyGram, and Bitcoin.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Yeah I wish I would have known about WU blacklisting people.

I would have went a little slower and alternated between WU and MoneyGram.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

I got blacklisted by Western Union without ever sending any payments.
I was receiving them only.
And eh total amount received over the course of 12 months was under $5k.
Im not impressed with WU at all.
been using Moneygram for the last 2 years and received larger amounts and never had an issue.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Wow, that is bizarre. Maybe they thought you were scamming?

Over the past year I've sent around $30k with WU, and bang, blacklisted. :attention:

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Yeah I believe I got blacklisted for sending too much within a certain time.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Again - if youre sending those amount I believe youll run into issues with Moneygram as well. It just doesnt look good.
You really need to consider alternate payment form. See if they'll accept Bitcoin or direct wire transfers or you might end up without options should something happen to prevent you from using moneygram.

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Yes I completely agree with you. I will look into it.

I can always have people send for me with WU as well. =}

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Try to avoid involving "people".

I prefer to keep control of my money as best as I can. I try to avoid issues with people who are after their piece of my cake....

;)

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

Oh yes GreenBean I understand where you're coming from.

I just mean having a very close friend or a family member walk in and do the transaction (I'll be with them) with my cash.:spy:

Re: Western Union "Interview"
 

You need to be thinking long term. Long term means not relying on anyone and thinking about how to keep your business going without having to rely on anyone else.