Don’t fall for this Western Union scam

Suppose you receive an email from an unknown sender telling you an outrageously huge amount of cash is waiting to be picked up by you in Western Union, what do you do?

a. Pray and thank God for this windfall gain
b. Rush to a Western Union branch to pick up your money
c. Delete the email

If you answered letter c, congratulations! You won’t be victimized by these Western Union scammers.

Here’s a copy of the email I received yesterday about this Western Union scam, a variation of the infamous 419 or Nigerian scam.

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Search for Western Union branches in the Philippines

Those looking for Western Union branches seem to arrive at our site because of our article Western Union branches have varying exchange rates.

A list of Western Union (WU) branches is not mentioned in the article but since you’re here, we are providing a link below so you can search for a local WU agent.

We would have listed down all Western Union branches in the Philippines but since they number in the thousands, it would be easier if you simply search for the agent nearest you.

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How to send and receive money via Western Union

Here’s some useful information regarding how to send and receive money through Western Union. Transferring money via Western Union is convenient and easy because once the transaction is approved, the receiver can pick up the money right away (depending on the hours the Agent is open).

In order to facilitate a money transfer or funds pick up, you first need to visit a Western Union agent. Agent locations may be in supermarkets, grocery stores, check cashers, mailbox centers, drug stores, travel agencies, depots, and other retailers. In some countries, they may be in banks, travel agencies, post offices, airports, train, and bus stations, and currency exchange offices.

To search for a Western Union agent in the Philippines and worldwide, click here.

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0.15% Documentary Stamp Tax in Western Union

I went to Western Union today and I was told by the staff that the 0.15% tax on all incoming remittances sent from abroad will be levied “sometime this June 2008.”

Overseas Filipino Workers and their families will surely be affected by this.

Read it here: Western Union to charge 0.15% tax on remittances soon

Western Union Gold Card — Benefits and perks

Here’s one more reason to use Western Union especially if you are a Google Adsense publisher: the Western Union Gold Card rewards program.

The Western Union Gold Card is simply a loyalty card very similar to SM’s Advantage Card or National Book Store’s Laking National Card. Presentation of the Card entitles the holder automatic discounts and privileges at partner establishments. Read more

Xoom to BPI money transfer now only takes hours

Money transfer Xoom.com recently announced that they partnered with one of the Philippines’ largest banking institutions to deliver fund transfers in just a few hours, as opposed to days which is the usual case.

In an email to all users, Xoom explained that:

Bank deposits to the Bank of the Phillipine Islands (BPI) will now be available in your recipient’s account in just hours — instead of the next day!

This direct partnership with BPI will make bank deposit money transfers to your recipient’s BPI account much faster than before.

I have personally used Xoom to transfer funds to my local bank accounts and it usually takes 2-3 days before transactions are completed. This change is definitely a nice Christmas gift to all Xoom and BPI account holders because they can get their money faster.

Now if only Xoom can address users’ common problems of cancelled transactions without explanation, rejected transfers, and sucky customer service…