That’s one of the television ads in the Philippines of Western Union, the giant international money transfer facility that many people have learned to trust in sending money to their loved ones and one that is also being used by many individuals all over the world for their money transfer transactions.
The Western Union Mission Statement says: “We do business each day with absolute integrity, honesty and passion, partnering as a team to meet our consumers’ needs.“
So, is your money safe with Western Union? Are you sure it is a reliable money transfer facility? Please read on.
My daughters have received wedding cash gifts from friends and relatives in other countries using the Western Union money transfer facility, and because of that, I have so much trust in the facility. What’s more, I also heard about people receiving remittances through this facility and they have expressed their satisfaction.
But more than three months ago, something very devastating happened that resulted in the erosion of my trust in Western Union. My eldest daughter was cheated out of her payout which she used to receive regularly through this facility. My daughter is a work from home mom and she earns by working using the internet. Every month, she would receive a notice from Google Adsense informing her that her payout was already sent to Western Union, and she then would go straight to the facility to claim the exact amount without any problem.
But three months ago, when Google sent her payout through Western Union, my daughter was out of the country (March 26-April 3, 2012). The amount of US$6,267.97 was sent to her through Western Union on March 27, 2012, and it would be available for pick up on March 28, 2012. So hours after she returned to the Philippines on April 3, 2012, she went straight to Western Union to pick up her money, but to her dismay, she was told by the teller that someone picked it up on March 30, 2012. She was in Cambodia on that day and there was no way that she could have claimed the payment.
Google uses a security feature that when my daughter would access her account, a security code is sent to her mobile device and that security code should be entered for access to be allowed. She would need to enter her security code whenever she logged in to her account. Having received no security code all the time that she was overseas because her phone was on roaming mode, it was not possible that her account was hacked. So it is a big possibility that there was some kind of an inside job within the Western Union branch here in the Philippines that apparently released her payout.
Even the Western Union representatives were convinced that my daughter was the rightful recipient because of all her proofs. But they insisted that that they could not give her the money because they are only answerable to Google because of the privity of contract issue.
Western Union representatives did not act immediately after my daughter told them about her case, but after she told them that she would make it her advocacy to reveal to the public her issue with them, it was only then that they promised to make an investigation.
Later, after a thorough investigation, Western Union admitted that they made a mistake in releasing the money to someone who was not the real Jennifer Aspacio, and that they had already returned the money to Google, and that my daughter should communicate with Google to resend the payout to her.
My daughter asked Western Union to provide her with a proof that they really returned the money to Google, but Western Union refused to give a proof, claiming that it was against their policy. My daughter has suffered much inconvenience, damage and prejudice, apart from mental anguish and serious anxiety. The amount that she was supposed to receive was not all for her indulgence. Much of that amount would go to pay for advertising campaign expenses as an internet marketer.
My daughter is the one who is supposed to write this blog, but she told me that she does not want to go through the mental anguish that she had gone through three months ago that resulted in many sleepless nights for her, and so I am compelled to do this for her.
The refusal of Western Union to give the money to my daughter in spite of the fact that it was already established that my daughter is the true legitimate recipient is an IMMORAL ACT. Why did they have to return the money to Google, when they could just simply give it to my daughter, and that would solve the problem? And what’s more, Western Union refuses to give a proof that they indeed had returned the money to Google.
My daughter is a hard-working wife and mother, wanting only the best for her family. She doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment from a giant company like Western Union.
I think you should consider consulting a lawyer about what happened.
I agree.
Here is a blog post I wrote about this last April – Inside Job In Western Union: Are They Really As Secure As They Say They Are?
Same thing happened to my sister in early 2000. Western Union said they gave my sister’s money to someone who has a slightly different name. We all know that two valid IDs are needed before claiming the money, or in your case, a security code. So we were really surprised that someone else withdrew the money which she needed to fix her requirements for her migration in US. It was really devastating for her because it she really needed that money from her husband. It took her a long time before she was able to retrieve her money but thankfully she did. Since then we don’t trust really trust Western Union and we are extra cautious in sending money through money transfer.
I really hope your case will have a good ending too and thank you for sharing this to warn other people as well. If possible, maybe you can really consult a knowledgeable lawyer about this.
Hi, Antonette, we did have a good ending. After my daughter went to media, Western Union released the money to her. The end of the mental anguish and anxiety. I hope that this will be the last case of Inside Job in Western Union. I hope they employ trustworthy employees, or I hope the branch owners/managers themselves are men of integrity.
Shared to my wall and friends…
I hope this issue will not be left in cold ears. I will do what I can to share this to my friends. But honestly, I prefer Xoom
Yes, I agree with Deli. This has to be consulted with a lawyer. US$6,267.97 is not a big joke.
Wow this is scary. I’ve received payments via WU for a hundred times or so and haven’t encountered any problems, but the amounts were nowhere near your daughter’s payout so I guess the temptation for anyone to steal them was low. It sucks that WU is not being cooperative and won’t even give proof. It’s also frustrating that Google disabled her account and is ignoring her.
i hope things will get settled soonest, shared it to my wall and friends.
Nangyari na rin sa akin ito few years ago. I sent money to my sister in Pinas and the teller said, they can’t find my sister’s name in the computer daw. It turns out, may nag claimed na pala sa ibang location (Jagna, Bohol) while my sister lives in Batuan, Bohol. Ang layo kaya ng Jagna sa Batuan.
When I heard the news, I went to the WU right away. I asked them kung sino ang nag claimed at kung bakit nangyari yun. Di ba, pag nag claim ka ng money, need ng identification, signature, etc. I told my sister to ask the name of the person na nag claimed ng money and guess what? They told her na di daw pede. But my sister insisted na she won’t give up until they give the money. Or else, she will tell the media about their modus operandi. Few minutes later, lumabas yung manager at tsaka lang binigay ang pera sa kapatid ko. Ang kapal talaga ng mukha! Ang mahal ng bayad pag nagpadala sa Pinas, tapos ganun lang pala ang mangyayari? Ano sila, sinuswerte? Kainis talaga!
“they made a mistake in releasing the money to someone who was not the real Jennifer Aspacio”
“that they had already returned the money to Google”
They released the money? And they also returned it to Google? Or they didn’t release it?
Will share about this in my fb wall too
I also go to Western Union to receive Google payment and other stuff. Wahh! Sana ma-solve ito. Will share it in FB. Good luck Jennifer!
I doubt that WU sent the money back to Google. They must have just said that so they won’t have to pay her out. I’ve heard of WU inside jobs from other moms too who send money to their families here. In total, I think this is the 3rd or 4th time I’ve heard this happen. I do hope your daughter gets what she rightfully deserves. WU is the one in the wrong here so they SHOULD pay her out and THEN discuss whatever refund they need with Google because it was ALL THEIR FAULT anyway. They should leave your daughter out of their dispute with Google and just give her her money.
This is just too much! Not only was your money stolen, your ability to make money through Google was also taken away. I know this is devastating but keep on trusting the Lord to provide the Light in this dark moment of your life. I pray Rom. 8:28 for you, dear sister in Christ. Take care. I will definitely share this on my FB.
Thanks for your comment and your encouragement, Michelle. Finally, my daughter was able to get her money after going on air to report what WU did to her.
I highly doubt WU’s excuses of returning the money to Google, why would return in the first place? I advised you consult a lawyer and reprimand WU, there’s been cases reported that WU have access to manipulate transaction. Will share this to all my pages and friends.
This is disheartening to read but is needed to spread news. I can’t even imagine how devastating this was to someone who waited for what’s rightfully due her for all her hardwork. I hope Western Union will get their act together and resolve this in your daughter’s favor.
dapat, pinaiimbestigahan to para di na mangyari pa sa iba…
Praying for favorable results in your side Jen. Shared this on FB and Twitter.
western union is piece of shit they treat their employees like damn slaves too, use other transfer services like moneygram. those branches you see everywhere in philippines will steal your money fuck WU!
OMG! What a nightmare! I hope your daughter is okay now and I hope that everything gets fixed. I am pissed at Western Union for you! I shall retweet and share this on all my social networks so that everyone will know!
I really hope she gets her money, I know how hard it is to earn it from Google, so I really do hope she gets it.. Hoping for the best!
Ano ba yan, pati ba naman pinahihirapan ng tao kinukuha pa nila. I guess inside job yan at walang alam ang Google or Western Union dyan..
Better sue western union and contact google to resend the money , of course this time not thru W.U
Another person convinced he lost his money because of this inside job within Western Union — http://authentium.blogspot.com/2007/01/western-union-lost-my-money.html
grabe nmn yan, this is not the first time I heard about the same news.. most probably it’s an inside job nga and WU should investigate their employees.. sharing… mas maganda n talaga bank transfer mas safe.
Sorry but unless you are the Sender we cannot provide you with any documents. Our contract is with the Sender of the Money transfer. The best you can do is to ask the sender to file or lodge a complaint/investigation.
Sorry, your excuse is not good enough. Regardless of that contract, it is your responsibility to release the money to the rightful recipient. Because of your negligence, my daughter still does not have the money that is rightfully hers.
You make it sound so simple. But, because of the deliberate error of one of your agents my wife did not receive the money on the day she claimed it. THAT IS YOUR FAULT AND RESPONSIBILITY and the action you are taking is unacceptable.
Hi, WU, haven’t you heard about Customer Service? Do you know that customers hate hearing these words? “I’m sorry but it’s against our company policy!”
Do you know that the best reply to a complaining customer is “I apologize for our mistake. Let me make it right.”?
WU, it is your job to help your customers solve the problem, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CUSTOMER UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED, ESPECIALLY SO BECAUSE THE PROBLEM AROSE AS A RESULT OF YOUR BLUNDER.
This is for you Western Union. I hope you will learn a lesson from your negligence. Your first offense is giving the money to somebody else and not to the rightful owner and you did not realize the anguish, anxieties and inconveniences that the rightful owner suffered from your mistake. Your second offense is insulting people’s intelligence because after you discovered your blunder because of your apparently flawed system, you returned the money to Google and not to the rightful owner and you want us to believe your words that you indeed returned the money without giving the rightful owner a proof of your self-redemption. Will your world collapse if you give the rightful owner the proof that she is asking? You actually added insult to injury or better yet, you put citric acid to the wound of your client. Ouch. Do what is the right thing to do or else get out of the business and join the underworld business because your business is only good for the monkeys.
shared it to my pages and friends walls and group.
This got me really worried. We’ve recently used the services of WU to send $xxxx dollars to my kuya who was in Houston last month. And shortly after, they were able to receive the money, that’s why we were all praises for their service. But upon reading this, I immediately felt a deep concern for everyone else, most especially for your daughter. Good companies should be able to find ways for their clients, no matter how grave the circumstances are. This is a serious matter — one that needs legal actions.
I have read a blogpost of Mr Sustines Laplana at his blog about the incident. And for him, he was not sure if the thief is one of the employees of Western Union.
And by the way, I really wonder why Google disabled her Google Adsense. Did she employ blackhat technique in the promotion of her blogs?
@Fred: My wife and I do not employ blackhat techniques. We have been receiving monthly income from adsense for more than two years and haven’t had any problems. We employ sound website marketing techniques for our sites.
shared on my FB wall… it’s the least I can do to help.
OMG! that amount is no excuse for them to patch stories up…. And then they use whatever blah blah policies they have so they could keep the money for themselves or to avoid them being double charge… I agree this should go to court kawawa naman yung mga taong nagtatrabaho para lang ipamigay sa iba and they use lame excuses.
Hi. This case should not happen to anyone. They said that the money was resent to Google, was she able to receive it then?
Naku po. I think ito mangyayari kung ikaw ay regular na magclaim ng money sa isang WU branch. There are banks na pede kau mag Payout you can try sa kanila and do the payout regularly so when something happens to your WU money, secured ka kasi pede sila lang ang paghinalaang na nagwithdraw ng money. Kaya lang mas mababa ang rate ng banks compared to other WUs.
Grabe marami pa din talagang mga tao na pinagpapalit ang dangal at prinsipyo sa pera. Di bale Ate, digital na ang karma sa panahon ngayon.
Cheer up!
Update:
http://www.marriageandbeyond.com/2012/07/27/inside-job-in-western-union-reported-to-aksyon-oro-mismo-with-gani-oro/
This is a lesson for you, WU. If something of this sort happens again, you know what you should do in order for you to have a good image. Exert all efforts to remedy the situation. Don’t leave your complaining customer hanging. Solve the problem because the problem existed because of your negligence. That way, the customer will not expose your very poor customer service. And one more thing, you need to change your system so that nobody even in your office could access the secret code that is supposed to be confidential between the sender and the final recipient. You are just the agent.
Hi, i would like to know what happened to the case of your daughter? Did Western Union make further action on this matter? What did you do, did you consult a lawyer?
I’m also an earning blogger and been claiming my Adsense earnings in Western Union. I always get nervous every time I withdraw my earnings because of what you’re daughter experienced.
Hi, thanks for your comments. Finally my daughter was able to get her money after going on air to report what WU did to her. Yes, we consulted a lawyer right after finding out that her money was released to a fictitious claimant. But the lawyer was not able to have the complaint/demand letter acknowledged because WU stated that they did not have a local office, which is really a blatant lie. Please read the blog of my daughter here:
http://www.marriageandbeyond.com/2012/07/27/inside-job-in-western-union-reported-to-aksyon-oro-mismo-with-gani-oro/#more-9094
Since Western Union seemed not to make any action to resolve my daughter’s complaint, my daughter went to media (a radio station) and reported what Western Union did to her. The radio station contacted Western Union but Western Union refused to go on air.
Yes, we consulted a lawyer, but since Western Union said that it has no local office, the lawyer could not have the complaint/demand letter acknowledged.
Please read the following:
http://www.marriageandbeyond.com/2012/07/27/inside-job-in-western-union-reported-to-aksyon-oro-mismo-with-gani-oro/
Two weeks after that, my daughter received an email from Google, informing her that they have resent her payout, and my daughter went to claim it. That payment came four months late (and the exchange rate at that time was very low as compared to the time when she first went to claim it on April 3). We are thinking that it was only when Western Union was contacted by the radio station that they (WU) made a follow up of my daughter’s claim.
Ako mismo biktima rin nila na withdraw ang humigit kumulang kong $17000 us dollar yung araw na matanggap ako ng MTCN galing kay goolge… nang withdrawin ko na ang sabi sa akin nawithraw na raw mga 3hrs na raw ang nakakalipas Ganun kabilis naiwidraw ang pera sa ganung halaga sa oras n un mismo March 29, 2012. Pag naalala ko labis tlga akong nanghihina.
hanggan ngaun di ko pa rin alam ang gagawin ko kung paano ko makukuha ang pero kong ninakaw sa akin sana matulungan ninyo ako. SALAMAT & GOD BLESS
I thought this was an isolated case… so, didn’t pay attention. We are also a victim of this, most recently. My wife’s adsense was pick up by someone else in western union manila, we live in the province. I am communicating with wu support, if nothing happens i will also go to the same route as yours — going to media. We’ve also change our mode of payment to secured check. I have absolutely lost trust with Western Union. For all those fellows out there who still receive their earnings via wu, I urge you to switch to secured check. With WU, it is like beating the robber to get to wu agent first to get your money every time you have a payment because they have your MTCN too! I believe they have a way to retrieve mtcn and they are particularly targeting those with large amount of remittance.