California will not wire money to Brazil

[Six-Twelve 0]

Hi,

Thank God, we're almost done! We were almost forced to reschedule with the embassy in Rio due to a new law in California, prohibiting the wiring of money thru electronic transfere from: Western Union, Moneygram, and a host of other money transfer services, to Brazil. Providing your fiance has a bank account in that country you're pretty much screwed. If your fiance or spouse have a regular bank account, then your bank can simply transfer the funds to her own Brazilian bank. None of the money wiring services could tell me why, except that when they try to process the transaction, a federal warning pops up denying them access to continue further. I was told by Moneygram (which is the cheapest with a fee of $9.99 vs. $43 or more from their competition), that I had to go out of the state to send money...so I did. I had to drive 4 hours to Las Vegas Nevada last night to find a store with either a US Bank or any other store such as CVS drugs, that is sponsored by Moneygram.

Moneygram was great, I was able to talk with an agent on the phone at: 1800Moneygram, as I arrived to Vegas (Thank God for cell phones, I'll worry about the cancer scares later), and get locations and times that the services will be open and when they'll close. Also it might be a good idea if you know you'll have to drive to Nevada, to go on-line with Moneygram and print out a list of stores and US bank locations to have with you. I was lucky enough to find a store that was scheduled to close it's Moneygram window at 9:00pm according to the agent on the phone, but had already closed at 8:30pm. After I told them that I was on the phone with Moneygram, they opend up for me and processed my wire transfer to my fiance in Brazil.

I hope the information that I provided is helpful to those of you that may face this same situation with just days to complete the K-1 process and may have to get money to a loved one within short notice.

Don

Edited November 19, 2008 by Six-Twelve

[Teacher Mark 53]

Why Brazil?

[peejay 327]

Why Brazil?

Why California?

[Teacher Mark 53]

Why Brazil?

Why California?

Why me?

[peejay 327]

Why Brazil?

Why California?

Why me?

Wino?

[William33 110]

Why Brazil?

Why California?

Why me?

Wino?

Whiner!!

[dillon 6]

couldn't you just do it online?

[Teacher Mark 53]

Why Brazil?

Why California?

Why me?

Wino?

Whiner!!

I'm on Duke's campus now. I should plaster pics of that kid all over my truck.

[Six-Twelve 0]

couldn't you just do it online?

You're only allowed to transfer up to $300.00 on-line (thru Moneygram), up to a couple of thousand with Western Union, but because the transfer is coming from California...my CA bank account, the restrictions kicked in. Belive me I tried everything and everyone, even tried a wire service on the internet called "Xoom" who sends to Brazil, but the restrictions in CA still applied. As long as you can get to a neighboring state outside of California you'll be fine, knowing what you know now. Luckily Nevada was close enough to tolerate the last minute decision to drive out there, plus I got some great night life photos before heading back home this morning. My fiance was shocked that I went to Vegas without her...oh well! it's not like I was having a ball.

Don

Edited November 19, 2008 by Six-Twelve

[dillon 6]

wow that is just so crazy. i have made that drive before and it really isn't a bad one. too bad they didn't have a moneygram or western union right there in Primm.

[peejay 327]

Aside from the joking further back in the thread, I can't see any reason for the restrictions. Why California and why Brazil? There is a reason for most everything and this one just doesn't add up. Enquiring minds want to know. So...what's up with this?

[Six-Twelve 0]

wow that is just so crazy. i have made that drive before and it really isn't a bad one. too bad they didn't have a moneygram or western union right there in Primm.

The Moneygram agent did not mention that location, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were one there in Primm, and as you remember, Moneygram was significantly cheaper...because it's based on the amount that you send. So the fees would've increased with Western Union.

Edited November 19, 2008 by Six-Twelve

[Six-Twelve 0]

Aside from the joking further back in the thread, I can't see any reason for the restrictions. Why California and why Brazil? There is a reason for most everything and this one just doesn't add up. Enquiring minds want to know. So...what's up with this?

I haven't researched the reason yet, but even my own bank...Wellsfargo would not do a wire transfer, citing the federal restriction. We'll have to ask Arnold the "Govenator" about that!

Edited November 19, 2008 by Six-Twelve

[Nessa 23]

that's weird. I don't understand why Brazil, it's not like there's a lot of immigrants sending money from the States to their family in brazil, like glitter lovers for example do.

[Teacher Mark 53]

The closest MoneyGram from Primm is in Pahrump, NV. You might as well drive to Vegas. At Exit 33 there is a T/A Truck Stop. They have a service called Western Union Direct Connect. It is actually cheaper than MG, or even the typical Western Union agent. Here's the information:

The thing that I did not understand (and some of their agents AND employees don't know this) is that they have a service called Western Union Direct Connect (Pilot may be the only place to do this type of transaction). Call 877.984.0473 and they will ask you for the information. They will then assign you a Money Transfer Control Number. You then take the control number to the desk and give them the money. YOU CANNOT DO THIS AT ANY W/U. They must be a direct connect agent. It is only $6 to send up to $300.00? to Viet Nam. I used the regular service once and it was a little more. The reason was that it was not direct connect. What amazes me is that it is actually much cheaper to send money there that it is to send it to the other side of the world! I am sure that they make a little on the exchange rate but it is nominal. You can also opt to have your loved one receive U.S. currency. I was also amazed to find out that they wanted $20.00 for an online transaction (once again why more?). You can also sign up for a preferred customer card and get a free transaction occasionally plus phone card minutes. I think they may have made changes to that program though. The thing I like about the card is that I only have to give them the information once. In my subsequent transactions I provide the Customer number and they have the information from the previous transaction already. Which brings me to another problem I ran into with them once. It was the formatting of the name for the receiver. This was a Viet Nam specific problem (Last, First, SPACE Middle). We had an instance were my fiancee' was unable to get he money (temporarily) once because of this. I was actually the one to blame there. I took it upon myself to format the name properly. They switched it automatically and things got all screwed up. You should give them the information in your local format and they will change it automatically. If you run into a problem call the International Desk (make sure and ask them if it is the I/D at the beginning of the conversation as sometimes their lines get crossed) at 800.752.6077. They resolved my problem quickly (on a Friday night/Saturday morning). I now make sure and check my receipt to make sure everything is correct. The only other problem I have experienced is the outsourcing problem that has permeated customer service in America. I mean no offense to anyone but sometimes it is hard to understand their agents (I think they are in Mexico).

I don't want to sound like a Western Union pitch man here but this has been my experience. They pissed me off on more than one occasion because their agents seemed inept. I threatened never to use them again and found myself right back there the next month because of convenience and safety. Sprint customer service has hardened me to the point that Western Union is like a walk in the park! The fees that they charge are very reasonable considering the time and distance involved. I am sure that every country has different fees. Check the exchange rate and make sure they are not taking advantage. I hope this information can help somebody. I had to learn through trial and error!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/lofivers...hp/t104634.html

I've found out since then that most Travel Centers of America also have Western Union Direct Connect available.