Frequently Asked Questions

Sending large transfers

What is the limit of the amount that I can transfer through Western Union?

We need to confirm your identity before your first money transfer. Once we have confirmed your ID, you’ll be able to send up to 50,000 AUD using Australian issued Debit card, PayID & PayTo and 9,000 AUD using Australian issued Credit Card, Apple Pay or Google Pay online.

You can find the send limit for a specific receive country on the Send money page.

The limit may not be available for all receiver countries and is subject to restrictions based on various factors.

However, some agent locations and/or countries might have certain restrictions. They vary depending on the payment method, sending and receiving countries, and other factors.

Are there limits to sending multiple large amount money transfers in a short period?

There are no limits to sending multiple large amount money transfers over any time frame. However, Western Union policy defines certain thresholds to monitor the customer’s total money transfer activity during a respective period. If a customer exceeds these thresholds, we may ask for additional information to comply with internal policies and regulations. These thresholds may vary depending on the sending customer’s country of residence and the country where the money is sent.

How to send a large amount money transfer, and do I need to provide any additional documents?

You can send and receive large amount money transfers online on wu.com or the Western Union app at your convenience 24/7.

To send a large amount money transfer, simply follow the steps to fill in the required money transfer details, such as destination country, your receiver’s name, send amount, and select the payment method.

To meet our regulatory and compliance obligations, we may sometimes collect additional information and/or documents: which will include documents to validate your occupation and the source of funds.

What are the fees to send a large amount money transfer?

To find out the estimated fee and currency exchange rates for your online money transfers, click Estimate Price and fill in the required fields, such as your receiver’s country and send amount.

When is the money taken from my bank account?

The money is deducted from your bank account once you submit and authorize the money transfer.

Does it take longer to complete a large amount money transfer?

The delivery time varies, depending on the sending and receiving countries, payment, and payout methods selected.

To create a better service for you while complying with local and international regulations, each money transfer goes through different layers of security, and you may receive a call from us requesting further information and/or documentation.

You can refer to our Terms and Conditions for more information.

 

Is my large amount money transfer secure?

Western Union uses the latest technology to ensure reliable online money transfers. We work according to local and international regulations and compliance programs to protect our customers. To ensure the best experience when using Western Union, we recommend you keep your contact information up to date on your online banking and Western Union profile.

Do I need to get my identity verified to send a large amount money transfer? What are the acceptable verification documents?

You can only send a large amount money transfer if your identity has already been verified by Western Union. To learn more about the acceptable documents, please refer to verification requirements for Australia

Why do I have to send my source of funds documentation?

At certain threshold, before you can send a large amount of money transfer, we need to request additional documentation to verify the source of your funds. It is required to meet our regulatory obligations and internal policies, which allow us to serve you better, speed up the transfer process and protect your money.

Where do I need to send the additional documents?

You don’t need to send any documents in advance. If Western Union asks you to provide any additional documents (such as proof of source of your funds), you will be provided with directions at that time.

Any tips I need to know about before sending the documents?

Please make sure the documents aren’t damaged, illegible or expired. Letters, numbers, signs and security features must be clear and not blurry or too faint. When taking a digital photo of your document, all four corners should be visible with appropriate lighting, without any glare or other obstruction.

How many documents do I need to provide to validate the source of my funds?

We will let you know which documents need to be provided to prove the source of your funds and validate its legitimacy.   Once Western Union asks you for specific documents during a call or via email, please make sure to provide the required document(s) only.   Providing accurate documents that validate the legitimacy of the funds you intend to transfer in a timely manner helps us to speed up the verification process.

What happens if some of my documents are not accepted?

We will send you an email requesting additional documents and directions on how to send them. You need to provide the correct documentation within the stipulated time, or your money transfer will be cancelled.

Is my information secure?

We use organizational, technical, and administrative safeguards to secure your personal information. All information sent to us via email or uploaded online is stored electronically and password-protected and is only accessible by authorized personnel.

Can I cancel my money transfer? When will I receive a refund?

Yes, you can cancel your money transfer if it hasn’t been deposited. It may take up to 7 business days from the day the refund was issued for the funds to show in your account, depending on your bank’s refund-processing practice.

Who can I contact about my large amount money transfer?

For general information, get in touch with us through the Contact us section at westernunion.com.

When will I receive a call/an email from Western Union?

You can expect a call or an email from Western Union within 30 minutes of initiating a large amount money transfer.

Do I need to get my documents translated?

You don’t need to get your documents translated. You can send them to us in the original language.

How long does it take to verify my documents?

Once we receive the required documents from you, they will be processed within 30 minutes.

What are the reasons my large amount money transfer is declined?

Unfortunately, sometimes we may not be able to approve a large amount money transfer you intended to send.

These situations may include, but are not limited to, the below reasons:

  • We are not able to validate that your source of funds supports your money transfer activity.
  • The provided documents do not contain the required information.
  • We couldn’t verify the authenticity of the documentation provided.
  • The provided documents were illegible, blurry, obscured, expired, or not recent.
  • We couldn’t establish you have sufficient funds to send a large amount money transfer.

If the documents provided are incomplete and/or rejected, you will receive an email notification. You will need to provide the correct documentation, or your money transfer will be canceled.

When will I receive a call or an email from Western Union?

You can expect a call or an email from us within 30 minutes of initiating a large amount money transfer.

Who can I contact regarding a large amount money transfer?

For general information, get in touch with us through the Contact us section

If I can’t pick up my money transfer, what will happen to my money?

Your transfer will be available for 30 days. After this time, your sender will have to contact our Customer Care to restart the transfer or cancel the transfer for refund.

Can I authorize someone to pick up money for me if I can’t leave my home?

For security reasons, only the designated receiver can pick up a transfer. However, you can ask your sender to contact our Customer Care to cancel that transfer and start a new one. Your sender can then transfer money online directly to a bank account or a mobile wallet, if available.

What can I do to protect myself from fraud?

Please be aware of the risk of fraud and phishing, especially during this time, and take extra caution when sending money:

  • Don’t send money for loan or credit card fees, customs, or shipping fees.
  • Don’t send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
  • Be suspicious of businesses without a verified street address.
  • Don’t pay for an item or service with a money transfer to an individual.
  • Be suspicious about transferring money for charity and ask a representative for an ID.
  • Think twice before sharing your financial information.

Please visit our Fraud awareness page to learn more