MoneyGram - please leave in MENA

[caybee 21]

Part of this post is Morocco-specific. We use MoneyGram periodically to send money to my husband's family. Several months ago, we started using our credit union account to do this online since it's fast and convenient and we have a good record of the transactions. I also don't have to worry that the clerk will send the money to the wrong country (had that happen once -- big hassle to get it back). We sent something a couple of weeks ago. Last night, we tried to send something, and the transaction wouldn't go through. When I called my credit union today, they told me MoneyGram had been placed on their fraud list as of yesterday and we were no longer able to transfer money directly from our bank account. This means we have to hit the ATM for cash and then go to Wal-Mart to do this. From what the CSR told me, it is the same for Western Union. I am very much aware of the international money transfer fraud that goes on, and I'm grateful to the bank for looking out for us, but I'm frustrated that this process has had to become more time-consuming. We'll deal with it though.

We were planning to reevaluate MoneyGram anyway since their income comes from tweaking the exchange rate as well as from the transfer fee. I assume Western Union is the same. I remember someone saying something about a sort of ATM/debit card that can be sent to the family and reloaded periodically, but I don't remember the name of it. Those of you who send money to Morocco, do you have a favorite method, preferably a transaction that can be handled online (I know, I'm spoiled by technology ). We do have a PayPal account, although it's linked to our checking account, so I'm very cautious about using it.

Thank you!

[Carolyn 1]

We use Western Union--it is a rip-off. And we haven't been able to send it online for close to a year, I think. Yes, it's an expensive hassle. It doesn't help that the dollar is so weak, either.

The fees for Western Union are small--I think it's $10.50 for up to maybe $500, but the exchange rate is bad.

I would also be interested in finding some sort of a reloadable card (I assume the exchange rate would be much better), although there is the additional issue that my husband's family would need some education in how to use a credit card/cash card!

[*JG* 2]

Interesting cause I just said this in the Yardie thread..........

Money Gram is going to make my freakin' blood boil. I gave in last paycheck and sent MIL $100. That was Aug. 27th. The exchange rate at the time was 70.624500. You pay that $8 fee in advance, so my receipt said she was getting the full $100. She picked it up today and the guy only gave her 6,062JA. He said that was the breaks of sending through Money Gram.

I just fired them a scathing e-mail. Someone better fix something. I look like Cruella De Ville right now. My hair is standing on end and I feel like kicking some puppies.

[Tunisia216 2]

It's been a few months but I agree Money Gram did suck..... Jihed would send me money often but you can't send out of Tunisia, so his cousin lives in Holland and he would give the money to his Aunt (cousin's mother) and then his cousin would send money from Holland to the USA through Money gram and it was never the right amount... I just got frustrated and told him not to worry about it... I'm going to ask around in my friend circle and find out what the best way to send money is from the USA to MENA countries.... I'll be back with answers

[desert_fox 32]

Any commercial bank (like B of A) can make an international money transfer, account to account for a fixed charge ($40 at Wells Fargo) thru the international system. 3 days for money to arrive.

[Staashi 371]

We set up a checking account with my MIL when she was here 2 years ago. It is in her and my name with BofA. We deposit into it when we have money to send to her. She can go to the ATM in Argentina and take out the money without worrying about exchange rates, whatever. I also recently set up my direct deposit to this account so we won't be charged a fee for maintaining the account. It has worked for us. We've never used WU or MG.

[morocco4ever 63]

We just sent $$$ to Morocco via Western Union last week. It went through without a hitch, BUT the said the fee was 10.50, but it turned out to be 27.00.

[MrsAmera 41]

Has anyone gotten the prepaid Visa's or Mastercards? I've been wondering how that option would work...

[*JG* 2]

Has anyone gotten the prepaid Visa's or Mastercards? I've been wondering how that option would work...

My only issues with those are the hidden fees they all seem to charge.

[LRA 0]

Any commercial bank (like B of A) can make an international money transfer, account to account for a fixed charge ($40 at Wells Fargo) thru the international system. 3 days for money to arrive.

Definitely worth it (safety and traceable)...but they might have to pay the same amount on their end as well (incoming wire transfer fee).

Has anyone gotten the prepaid Visa's or Mastercards? I've been wondering how that option would work...

My only issues with those are the hidden fees they all seem to charge.

Those crazy ATM fees get me everytime.

[Sandrila 1]

I use Western Union Alot

at least 10.00 fee up to 500.00

i have to go in person..i dont trust using my credit card/debit numbers online anymore!

I have a dozen places around here for western union, it has worked nice

BUT

the exchange rate is no good..for sure but then again our dollar isnt worth #### right now

isnt there any other way to get money there?

i never did money gram thing and with that door closed, what else is good?

I use Western Union Alot

at least 10.00 fee up to 500.00

i have to go in person..i dont trust using my credit card/debit numbers online anymore!

I have a dozen places around here for western union, it has worked nice

BUT

the exchange rate is no good..for sure but then again our dollar isnt worth #### right now

isnt there any other way to get money there?

i never did money gram thing and with that door closed, what else is good?

[tom&tata 2]

Our ATM is fee free in US & 1% abroad (I think it is a visa). If you do frequent but smaller amount, it might be worth it.

But if it is less frequent & bigger lump sump about, probably better off with bank transfer.

[*Maureen* 0]

Has anyone gotten the prepaid Visa's or Mastercards? I've been wondering how that option would work...

My only issues with those are the hidden fees they all seem to charge.

that would seem to be pretty good but i would be a little concerned with mailing a prepaid card in the mail.

[caybee 21]

Thank you for the good ideas. We do tend to send smaller amounts more frequently, so the bank transfer wouldn't be ideal. The fee wasn't very high when I used my ATM over there (what killed me was the fee for checking my balance with the card, OMG!) so we may look into opening a second account here and sending them the ATM card. For now, I guess we'll do MoneyGram in person. It's not as easy as a 30-second Internet transaction at 3 am, but it's not that big a hassle.

Thank you for the good ideas. We do tend to send smaller amounts more frequently, so the bank transfer wouldn't be ideal. The fee wasn't very high when I used my ATM over there (what killed me was the fee for checking my balance with the card, OMG!) so we may look into opening a second account here and sending them the ATM card. For now, I guess we'll do MoneyGram in person. It's not as easy as a 30-second Internet transaction at 3 am, but it's not that big a hassle.

Hmm, I guess iKobo is the debit card I had heard about before. I'm going to do some more research...

[RAKASA 0]

Thank you for the good ideas. We do tend to send smaller amounts more frequently, so the bank transfer wouldn't be ideal. The fee wasn't very high when I used my ATM over there (what killed me was the fee for checking my balance with the card, OMG!) so we may look into opening a second account here and sending them the ATM card. For now, I guess we'll do MoneyGram in person. It's not as easy as a 30-second Internet transaction at 3 am, but it's not that big a hassle.

This is what we have just done, but not put into action yet. My husband will bring the ATM card w/ him when he visits in a couple of weeks and we'll see how it goes.