I have used Western Union multiple times in the last 2-3 months. A couple of times my request went through; every other time, I had to call a number for confirmation/verification or jump through other hoops.
Yesterday, I tried to send money for quite some time (one credit card was over its cash limit, so I had switched to another credit card). I could not log in to the website to my account for one reason or another - sometimes it just said "Unable to login..." other times I got the "security code" wrong (that is the box with the squiggly numbers and letters) - I find it almost impossible to distinguish some of the figures - is it a "B" or an "8"? - and cannot usually tell if a letter is a lower case or capital. So after multiple tries I decided to do this over the phone. Big mistake.
I had to key in multiple pieces of information, listen to lengthy messages about security, etc. Etc., and was finally able to talk to a customer service rep. She asked me for all of the same information and more. Then she said I was denied. I asked why. She said she could not tell me. I asked why she could not tell a customer why they were denied. She said she could not tell me.
I then asked if she knew what the problem was and could not tell me or if she was not allowed. She said she was not allowed. So I have no idea if this can be fixed, if they have wrong information, if my ID has been stolen and I am wanted in three states, whatever. She asked if I would like to talk to a supervisor. I said yes. Same response, same answers, except he gave me the address (PO Box) of someone I could write to ask what the problem was. He suggested I go to a local agent location with cash, but by this time they were all closed.
Not only this, but their online list of locations is out of date, and not all locations will just send the money — at some you have to fill out a small form and call a number to get authorization, then they will give you the money. This is for a cash transaction.
I was glad to know that I was not the only one with a problem. I am looking for alternative services.
How are they not allowed to tell me what the problem with MY account is?
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