Western Union is a great way to send funds and family. The money transfer is available usually in minutes, and is picked up instantly in most cases because the receipt needs the funds urgently.
But
What happens if your receiver does not pick up a Western Union?
Is the money lost? Can you claim it back or send it back to the receiver once again?
How to Check if a Western Union has been Pickup Up
If you’re not sure if your funds were picked up already. You can verify the status of your money transfer depending on how the transfer was made.
For Retail (Store) Transfers
If you made the transfer in a Western Union store in cash. The agent at the store should have given you a receipt for the transfer.
You can use that receipt to figure out the MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number).
- Go to Western Union’s Track a Money Transfer Page.
- Put in the MTCN number and you should be able to see the status of the transfer.
For Website or App Transfers
If you made a transfer on the Western Union App or the website.
- Log in to your account on the app or the website
- Click on Menu
- Click on history
- You should be able to see past transfer along with their status
Contact Support
If you don’t consider yourself tech savvy. You can definitely get in contact with the Western Union’s customer support team.
The support numbers vary depending on the country you’re using the services from. To get the relevant support number for your country go to the contact section of WU website and select your country.
How long money transfers are available for pickup?
A money transfer is available for pickup for the receiver within 90 days of sending the money. After that any transfer made using Western Union irrespective of the type of transfer (Retail, Digital or TMT) will be available for the receiver.
What Happens After Receiver Has Not Picked Up Funds After 90 Days?
There could be many reasons why the receiver did not receive the funds. The fault could be at both Western Union’s or the customers side
Whatever the reason, the money does not disappear and can be claimed by you as a refund.
Find Out: Can You Send a Western Union to Yourself?
Will My Money Transfer Automatically Be Refunded if Not Picked Up By Receiver?
No, a money transfer is never automatically refunded by Western Union if your receiver does not pick up the funds. You would have to request the cancellation by getting in contact with the customer support.
Depending on how you made the transfer. The customer support would either send it to the store to get the refund as cash or they would be able to reimburse you on your card if that was digital transfer.
How Can I Get Money Back if the Receiver is not able to Pick Up Funds?
For Retails Transfers
If you made a retail transfer. You need to have the MTCN number for the transfer. Once you call the customer support and request a refund.
They would either issue a new MTCN or process the refund on the same MTCN. This depends on whether you would get the fee back or not.
If you are entitled to a full refund, they will give you a new MTCN. Otherwise, if according to their terms of service the fee is deducted. They would process the refund on the same MTCN.
For Digital Transfers
For transfers made using a debit or credit card. You should be able to get the funds back in your card. The whole process can take 5 to 7 business days for the funds to show up in your card
Will Fee Be Deducted If I Get a Refund?
Western Union classifies refunds in to two types
- Faulty Transfers: Transfers where the receiver was not able to pick up the funds due to service issues. For example: no store was available to pick up funds. A full refund will be provided
- Non-Faulty Transfers: Transfers where the money was not picked up due to the customers fault. For example: the receiver changed his mind and decided not to pickup the funds. In this case, the fee will be deducted.
