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Western Union

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Hi guys,

Basically, I recently applied for a credit card to get me through financial emergencies, but unfortunately the card got sent to my term-time address, which is not where I am for the next few weeks. Luckily my housemate is still there, and he was able to let me know the card details, and will be mailing the card onto me. Unfortunately, I am really in need of cash tomorrow, but without the card I've been told it's just not possible to get cash out. It's really frustrating- I know all the relevant details to buy stuff online but can't access cash which I should be able to! Anyway, according to my bank the minimum amount you can transfer from credit cards to other accounts is £250, which is more than I have available at the moment.

So, my question is this- if someone really needs to, is it legal and advisable to send yourself money via Western Union? Or is this considered some form of money laundering? I really need to get at my cash and this is the only way I can think of doing it at short notice (and I'm willing, albeit unhappy, to pay the fee). I don't want to end up wiring the cash only to be denied it when i try to collect it.

Sorry for the essay, and I hope this is in the right forum. Thanks for reading, and any advice will be greatly appreciated :-)
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Comments

  • omen666
    omen666 Posts: 2,206 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    No reason why you cannot. Only transactioons above 10k will be highlighted for money laundering
  • CLAPTON
    CLAPTON Posts: 41,865 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I don't understand your post.

    From what a/c and to where are you trying to transfer money via western union?

    And, just to say, if you are a student then its best to only use your home address on anything financial as there is a real possibility of things going to your term time address long after you have left it. Also means your credit record isn't cluttered with lots of addresses.
  • misc.
    misc. Posts: 5 Forumite
    Sorry, what I meant was I wanted to transfer money from my credit card via western union, and pick up the cash myself.
  • Jemma-T
    Jemma-T Posts: 1,546 Forumite
    Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Just take plenty of ID and if the teller has queries just answer honestly.
  • Heyman_2
    Heyman_2 Posts: 1,819 Forumite
    Does Western Union allow you to access the cash immediately after sending via a Credit Card? Just wondering if you might be better off doing a Balance Transfer to one of your other cards (if you have one) or Bank account????
  • nickmack
    nickmack Posts: 4,435 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Heyman wrote: »
    Just wondering if you might be better off doing a Balance Transfer to one of your other cards (if you have one) or Bank account????

    A balance transfer would take a minimum of several days, it looks as if the OP wants the money tomorrow.
  • misc.
    misc. Posts: 5 Forumite
    Heyman wrote: »
    Does Western Union allow you to access the cash immediately after sending via a Credit Card? Just wondering if you might be better off doing a Balance Transfer to one of your other cards (if you have one) or Bank account????

    Yeah, I understand that if I send it via Western Union I can then go to my nearest Western Union agent and pick up the cash a few minutes later basically, is this correct? Balance transfer would have been perfect but for some reason Natwest said it has to be at least £250, which I don't have.

    Think I'm just gona go for Western Union, am I correct in thinking it woulnd't take more than an hour or so?

    Thanks for the help guys
  • misc.
    misc. Posts: 5 Forumite
    Turns out for some reason the transaction cannot be processed, and I can't do it over the phone because you have to call from the landline at the biling address of the card (my term-time address). Is there no other way of getting to the money on my credit card??
  • naijapower
    naijapower Posts: 1,393 Forumite
    edited 17 April 2009 at 2:33PM
    misc. wrote: »
    Turns out for some reason the transaction cannot be processed, and I can't do it over the phone because you have to call from the landline at the biling address of the card (my term-time address). Is there no other way of getting to the money on my credit card??
    Very correct. For credit card WU transfer, they call landline of billing address. The reason for this is that they were hit big time by fraudsters when they began the concept of credit card transfer 10 yrs ago. Don't think they have recovered from this as it was quite rampant and thieves took advantage. This was the era of pre chip and pin. Fraudsters simply picked up receipts from the floor which at the time contained all digits of credt card numbers and used it for WU transfers. No checks were made and the money went thru.
    Back to your query, can you not get a sub from somewhere until your mate post the card to you?
    Also, if you mate has the card and has opened it with your consent. Can you not authorise him/her to take out cash from ATM and pay then pay into your account?
  • nomoneytoday
    nomoneytoday Posts: 4,871 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    WU transaction costs plus card withdrawal fees will cost a fortune...

    £100 for example will cost you around £17 (£14 from WU + £3 CC), and then possibly start accruing at 30% APR !

    I would wait a day or 2 for your mate to send you the card, then at least it will be £3 cash withdrawal (for x% APR interest)
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