Latest Western Union debacle. License and SS Card needed for ANY amount of $ sent

[Wizzah20]

Hello,

I just went to my local large chain Western Union deposit location and found some rather disturbing news.. I filled out my green sheet like always, went to hand it to the lady and she asked if I had a license and social security card...I had my license , but no SS card...I knew where this was going so I said I'll be back and went to a different location...SAME THING....So I went to a third place and they did not ask any of this...3 different chain stores..2 of them said that they needed the above due to the "Patriot Act"..They said it was a Western Union thing and they would be fined $1000.00 if they processed a sheet without it and got caught.

The adventure continues

 

[TTinCO]

Disturbing, but not surprising.


Hey Dante, what was it-2 weeks ago?

 

[ballsofblue]

every place you go asks for different things. i know windixie asks for all of my info and if i go to a check cashing store they don't ask for any id

 

[PO69]

I deposited today and they dont even ask for a drivers license.

You NEVER need to bring your social security card to anywhere except Potential employment. And even then only when they OFFICIALLY hire you!

Just use ANY social security number if you are worried

 

[Wizzah20]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>

You NEVER need to bring your social security card to anywhere except Potential employment. And even then only when they OFFICIALLY hire you!

Just use ANY social security number if you are worried<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Please note:
I deposited at this place well over 100 times.
This is the FIRST TIME they have asked for such info.
It was NOT merely asking for a SSN...they WANTED the SOCIAL SECURITY CARD .

 

[ChuckSims]

You deposited over 100 times at the same place? DUMB. Why dont you just wear a shirt that says "I launder money" or "I gamble illegally off-shore".

 

[HacheMan]

Chuck, it makes no difference if he made 100 money transfers via Western Union at the same store, or 100 diffferent locations, in the end, Western Union still has all details on every transfer, regardless of where they were made, and the info they hold is what we all will probably have to worry about one day. The grocery , convenience stores, etc. could care less what we're doing with that money.

 

[ChuckSims]

Hatche Man, Individual WU outlets are to report suspicious activity. If someone sends cash over 100 times at the same place, it may raise a red flag at that particular store. How else can you explain the request for a S.S. card and drivers license? He goes to a different WU and no ID is asked.

 

[lander]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chuck Sims:
You deposited over 100 times at the same place? DUMB. Why dont you just wear a shirt that says "I launder money" or "I gamble illegally off-shore".<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

lol .. Chuck has a point here.
Unless you're buddies with the owner always switch it up when possible.

 

[castaway]

I sent $1100 to a book last Friday and they needed my DL but didnt ask for a SS card or number. It says right on the form that all transfers for $1000 or more require ID. Just sent $950 or less if you don't want to produce ID.

 

[Phaedrus]

I spent some time on the phone with WU customer service about this. According to the rep with whom I spoke, their own guidelines are the minimum requirements that a merchant must follow -- individual merchants might have stricter guidelines that they follow, and WU has no official opinion on the matter.

Simple answers -- don't use WU, or keep it under $ 1,000.00


Phaedrus

 

[Wizzah20]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chuck Sims:
Hatche Man, Individual WU outlets are to report suspicious activity. If someone sends cash over 100 times at the same place, it may raise a red flag at that particular store. How else can you explain the request for a S.S. card and drivers license? He goes to a different WU and no ID is asked.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This statement was making a point. If you read my posts I went to (2) different outlets BOTH mentioned the "Patriot Act". They said it started September 1st. I do not use the same person each time I go, and I do not go back to back to back to back days people....

 

[PanchoSanza]

It's always been that way in Canada.

Last time I used WU to send offshore was about 2 years ago and anything over $1000 CDN they required photo ID.

 

[Wizzah20]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Phaedrus:
I spent some time on the phone with WU customer service about this. According to the rep with whom I spoke, their own guidelines are the _minimum_ requirements that a merchant must follow -- individual merchants might have stricter guidelines that they follow, and WU has no official opinion on the matter.

Phaedrus<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was sending $300....Both people stated that it would be the same rules if I were sending $1 to the next state over.

 

[lander]

Wiz,
Good info. I haven't WU'd this month, so thanks for the heads up.

Which state are you in?

 

[TTinCO]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chuck Sims:
You deposited over 100 times at the same place? DUMB. Why dont you just wear a shirt that says "I launder money" or "I gamble illegally off-shore".<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm still laughing at this comment.......

How about "FUKK, I lost again!"

 

[Wizzah20]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lander:
Wiz,
Good info. I haven't WU'd this month, so thanks for the heads up.

Which state are you in?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sunshine State