Sending money to relatives

[CyberSamurai013 69]

So I tried to setup my bank account here, with associated ATM card, so that I can mail the card to Olga's mom for easy usage. The bank clerk told me that due to OFAC regulations you cannot legally access or use US bank accounts or ATM cards in Russia. I used mine from another Credit Union while there but he said they will not even work there from my bank. Anyone dealt with this?

[1HappyGuy 45]

Sorry, I don't use ATM machines. I do however send money to Ukraine regularly and use Western Union. If you use the delayed service (48 hours) it is pretty cheap. You can easily send up to $1,000 without a problem. The sites for WU are everywhere and you just need to send the control number to whomever you are sending the money. It works pretty good.

[MishaMoose 2]

So I tried to setup my bank account here, with associated ATM card, so that I can mail the card to Olga's mom for easy usage. The bank clerk told me that due to OFAC regulations you cannot legally access or use US bank accounts or ATM cards in Russia. I used mine from another Credit Union while there but he said they will not even work there from my bank. Anyone dealt with this?

I was in Crimea in April and had no problems using my debit cards from 2 different Banks. All it took was a phone call for the newer one. The older account was still good from my trip 2 years ago. I am not aware that there is any difference between Russian and Ukraine from a bank's perspective. But I am not a banker.

[eekee 182]

I use my bank account/ATM card all the time in Russia, no problem. I have no idea what BS your bank was telling you. I have Wells Fargo.

Oh, they would put a flag on my account when I'd withdraw large sums of money for rent etc, but I'd just call and they'd remove the flag.

Edited June 10, 2011 by eekee

[Codeblue009 3]

So I tried to setup my bank account here, with associated ATM card, so that I can mail the card to Olga's mom for easy usage. The bank clerk told me that due to OFAC regulations you cannot legally access or use US bank accounts or ATM cards in Russia. I used mine from another Credit Union while there but he said they will not even work there from my bank. Anyone dealt with this?

I am a USAA member like yourself. I used my Credit/Debit card with no problems in Ukraine and Russia. All you have to do is tell them the period of time you will be in the country (I know it is not you who will use the card) and they will approve all transaction. I was in Ekaterinburg twice the last 4 months and told USAA to leave it open for 4 months and they had no problem doing this. Olya and I are talking about doing the same for her mother. Ohhh...you will have to pay a foreign exchange charge. It is pretty small, so it is no big deal. Good Luck to you!!!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So I tried to setup my bank account here, with associated ATM card, so that I can mail the card to Olga's mom for easy usage. The bank clerk told me that due to OFAC regulations you cannot legally access or use US bank accounts or ATM cards in Russia. I used mine from another Credit Union while there but he said they will not even work there from my bank. Anyone dealt with this?

Not true. We use our ATM and debit cards all the time when visiting. Our son goes to school in Moscow and we deposit money to his account here and he withdraws it with his debit card there.

We DO have to notify the bank that we are going to be in Russia or Ukraine and give them times when we will leave and come back. We use cards from both a bank and a credit union.

what we discovered was that anyone on the account MUST be in person and present ID when opening the account or adding them to an account. Our son opened his own account when he was home for the summer. He has his green card and a Vermont drivers lisence and SSN so it was no problem to open the account.