Anyone used Western Union before?

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Scarpozzi

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,392
1,780
126
I'm not sure how it works exactly. Do you just go to the post office?

The IRS told me I can avoid having to pay the $200 personal check fee if I use Western Union to pay my balance.

I don't get why they didn't just refund me less money this year.
 
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highland145

highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,973
6,338
136
Check fee...never heard of that. What about a money order?

IIRC, WU is expensive. Grocery stores have them.
 
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Captante

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,353
10,877
136
WU is legit for sending cash to people ... I used it frequently in the days before stuff like Cash-App and Zelle (my current preference) got popular. Fee's are relatively high and customer service is shaky at best if you have a problem.

Thing is that you need to have a bank account or at least something like a Cash-App/Paypal debit-card to easily access your money with app's/Paypal etc where with WU all a person needs is current state-issued ID. Also its possible to use cash to send no CC needed for in-person transactions.

If you decide to use them I suggest using a credit (not debit) card and register on the website so you can send it online. Also note you can often frequently find working promo codes to lower fees.

Scarpozzi said:
I'm not sure how it works exactly. Do you just go to the post office?
Click to expand...

That would be my suggestion ... and while there grab a USPS money-order and a stamp instead of playing games with WU.
 
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ponyo

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
Never heard of $200 personal check fee to pay the IRS. Sounds like a scam if IRS wants you to pay them with WU. Huge red flag imo.

Only time I use Western Union is to send money international. Their international rates are reasonable and the person on the other end can choose to cash out in US dollar. The fees are cheaper than bank wire transfer especially if you're only sending couple thousand dollars.
 
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Captante

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,353
10,877
136
ponyo said:
Never heard of $200 personal check fee to pay the IRS. Sounds like a scam if IRS wants you to pay them with WU. Huge red flag imo.
Click to expand...


One of my first thoughts as well ... another thing about WU which makes it extremely popular with scammers it's that once the receiver has your cash it's gone for good. **Poof**

They offer effectively zero protection. (this is why I suggest using a CC)
 
Scarpozzi

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,392
1,780
126
ponyo said:
Never heard of $200 personal check fee to pay the IRS. Sounds like a scam if IRS wants you to pay them with WU. Huge red flag imo.

Only time I use Western Union is to send money international. Their international rates are reasonable and the person on the other end can choose to cash out in US dollar. The fees are cheaper than bank wire transfer especially if you're only sending couple thousand dollars.
Click to expand...
That's what this is. Due to COVID, the IRS is doing business out of their offices in the Caribbean. It's why they don't accept paper checks (to keep boat traffic down to the island and protect the workers). So I'm going to do my part and help them stay safe I guess. Also save the $200 since that's like 20% of what I owe them.
 
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ponyo

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
Scarpozzi said:
That's what this is. Due to COVID, the IRS is doing business out of their offices in the Caribbean. It's why they don't accept paper checks (to keep boat traffic down to the island and protect the workers). So I'm going to do my part and help them stay safe I guess. Also save the $200 since that's like 20% of what I owe them.
Click to expand...
Maybe my sarcasm meter is broken but why are you wasting your time with this scam?
 
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Captante

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,353
10,877
136
Scarpozzi said:
That's what this is. Due to COVID, the IRS is doing business out of their offices in the Caribbean. It's why they don't accept paper checks (to keep boat traffic down to the island and protect the workers). So I'm going to do my part and help them stay safe I guess. Also save the $200 since that's like 20% of what I owe them.
Click to expand...



I could use some extra cash and frankly sending that money to my Paypal is every bit as likely to result in you owing less to the IRS as what you have in mind!

:p



ponyo said:
Maybe my sarcasm meter is broken
Click to expand...


This is what I'm hoping... pretty sad if not! :oops:
 
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nakedfrog

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
62,947
19,190
136
Sir, I am writing to kindly inform you that this matter was a confidential matter, and due to exposure of it you will need to transfer me an additional $300 fee for this violation, sir.
 
rstrohkirch

rstrohkirch

Platinum Member
May 31, 2005
2,434
367
126
Also while we are at it, I'm a representative from your power company. I regret to inform you if you don't pay me $300 within the next 2 hours your power will be shut off today.
 
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D

dasherHampton

Platinum Member
Jan 19, 2018
2,666
556
136
lol I never read this thread until now. Good stuff.

The guy who claimed to have webcam recordings of my nocturnal activities and threatened to send them to everyone on my email contact list hasn't gotten back to me yet. Maybe I should try to get ahold of him.
 
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