Western Union - money tranfer

[ubercal]

Hi

I have a stupid question.Some guy from overseas wants to buy something from me.He mentioned Western Union.Do i give him my normal banking details like a EFT and he transfers the money into my account ?

 

[dj_jyno]

Sounds like a scam. They usually use Moneygram or Western Union.

If it is legitimate, no, the buyer will send you a MTCN (I think that's what it's called) number and security question. He will need your full names and ID number to complete the paperwork on his side, though. Once he's sent you the details, you can go to selected ABSA branches or certain foreign exchange bureaux to withdraw the money.

 

[NullHypothesis]

Hi

I have a stupid question.Some guy from overseas wants to buy something from me.He mentioned Western Union.Do i give him my normal banking details like a EFT and he transfers the money into my account ?

No, you will get a tracking number (money transfer control number) and a security question (default is OK/OK if none is set but required). then once you have your MTCN walk into ABSA. If you don't have a ABSA account then you will need to set up a profile (once-off) which has FICA requirements so you will need ID and proof of address. Contrary to popular belief WU is not just used by scammers I'm assuming you will wait on payment to be in your hands before releasing goods. I have noticed in the rest of Africa it is a popular way to send money. I did business with a guy in Morocco and he paid me this way.

 

[NullHypothesis]

If I remember correctly the bank will also ask you what the money/payment is for (something about reserve bank requirements). I just mention payment for goods/services rendered.

 

[ubercal]

Hi

The guy is based in Botswana , and he wants to buy some things i have up for sale.

 

[NullHypothesis]

Hi

The guy is based in Botswana , and he wants to buy some things i have up for sale.

Yep, wire transfer methods are quite popular in that neck of the woods for cross country transfers and its real simple. Like I said you will get the cash money from the bank and once you have it in your hand, how can you be scammed? Just make sure you charge enough for shipping, I usually use Expedited Mail Service or *gulp* DHL. But that can get expensive for heavy stuff. Not sure how reliable post office is but they were quoting me long delivery times.

 

[Deez007]

Depending where about in SA you are, it would be easier to head over to a Foreign Exchange office like TravelX - better than going to the schlep of opening and ABSA account and all of the FICA issues. Most of my overseas payments are done via Paypal or sometimes Bitcoin bt every now and then I have to facilitate a Westen union payment and I do it with travelx in Musgrave road, Durban...

 

[NullHypothesis]

Depending where about in SA you are, it would be easier to head over to a Foreign Exchange office like TravelX - better than going to the schlep of opening and ABSA account and all of the FICA issues. Most of my overseas payments are done via Paypal or sometimes Bitcoin bt every now and then I have to facilitate a Westen union payment and I do it with travelx in Musgrave road, Durban...

Who said you have to open a ABSA account? It's just a profile, no different if you with a different bank to FNB having to open a FNB profile to use PayPalto receive local deposits. Here in Cape Town ABSA's far outnumber any type of foreign exchange office. From where I am I probably have to drive to V&A Waterfront.

 

[Feugene198]

Can someone pls assist me I received money via western money and; m in south Africa I did receive the MTCN number I did the tracking on the money this morning and it said the money is available so I search for the nearest agent and see tht my nearest agent is absa promenade mall ,first I called in and a lady assisted me were in she required me to come in with my I'd ,proof of address andshe ask me did I receive the MtCN ntnumber I replied yes well off I went at the bank the receptor Oners help my and explained tht they cwill not be able to give me the money today BT tht they can at least open me an account I fully agreed when I got the the consultant who was suppose to hell mW with opening the account my admostly allmy detailshe typed in so he told me to wait tht he will come back when he got back he said that's imposes for then to open and account because it is a scam when igot at home I tried tracking it again it says in progress and imm sopuzzled now pls help