California will not wire money to Brazil

[t0+ 1]

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.

You know the news, they always say there a Bazilion illegals in California. The feds got confused and locked out Brazilian in the computer system.

[Six-Twelve 0]

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.

Thanks for the reply. The main issue here though, is that unless you can make a money transaction here in California, you're going to have to travel to a neighboring state and in my case, it was Nevada. However the problem still exist that we are prohibited from wiring money from any of these services including a mainstream bank unless the reciever (your fiance) who's located in "Brazil" has a traditional bank account, where the funds can be transfered from bank to bank.

[Teacher Mark 53]

Thanks for the reply. The main issue here though, is that unless you can make a money transaction here in California, you're going to have to travel to a neighboring state and in my case, it was Nevada. However the problem still exist that we are prohibited from wiring money from any of these services including a mainstream bank unless the reciever (your fiance) who's located in "Brazil" has a traditional bank account, where the funds can be transfered from bank to bank.

I understand the original topic, but am unable to find out why. I haven't found anything online about it. My point with the W/U information is that if it were me, and I had to drive to Nevada, I would save $3.50 per $300.00 using Direct Connect -vs- MoneyGram.

Good luck!

[Six-Twelve 0]

Thanks for the reply. The main issue here though, is that unless you can make a money transaction here in California, you're going to have to travel to a neighboring state and in my case, it was Nevada. However the problem still exist that we are prohibited from wiring money from any of these services including a mainstream bank unless the reciever (your fiance) who's located in "Brazil" has a traditional bank account, where the funds can be transfered from bank to bank.

I understand the original topic, but am unable to find out why. I haven't found anything online about it. My point with the W/U information is that if it were me, and I had to drive to Nevada, I would save $3.50 per $300.00 using Direct Connect -vs- MoneyGram.

Good luck!

I'll look into it, if it'll help to get around the legal red tape, it may well be worth it. All banks and wire services seem to know about the restrictions, except no one will tell me specifically what the reason for it is. Theres been a lot of head scratching and so on. A US bank teller called the company's main office for me, and was told that there was a federal block on that country, but they did not give him a clear reason why. He just said Ok into the phone, hung up and told me that he couldn't do it.

Edited November 19, 2008 by Six-Twelve

[Teacher Mark 53]

Thanks for the reply. The main issue here though, is that unless you can make a money transaction here in California, you're going to have to travel to a neighboring state and in my case, it was Nevada. However the problem still exist that we are prohibited from wiring money from any of these services including a mainstream bank unless the reciever (your fiance) who's located in "Brazil" has a traditional bank account, where the funds can be transfered from bank to bank.

I understand the original topic, but am unable to find out why. I haven't found anything online about it. My point with the W/U information is that if it were me, and I had to drive to Nevada, I would save $3.50 per $300.00 using Direct Connect -vs- MoneyGram.

Good luck!

I'll look into it, if it'll help to get around the legal red tape, it may well be worth it. All banks and wire services seem to know about the restrictions, except I know one will tell me specifically what the reason for it is. Theres been a lot of head scratching and so on. A US bank teller called the company's main office for me, and was told that there was a federal block on that country, but they did not give him a clear reason why. He just said Ok into the phone, hung up and told me that he couldn't do it.

It's weird, that's for sure. Maybe drug cartels? It seems like Columbia would be restricted as well if that were the case. Maybe it is. I've spent 10 minutes researching it and have came up with nothing.

[Six-Twelve 0]

Thanks for the reply. The main issue here though, is that unless you can make a money transaction here in California, you're going to have to travel to a neighboring state and in my case, it was Nevada. However the problem still exist that we are prohibited from wiring money from any of these services including a mainstream bank unless the reciever (your fiance) who's located in "Brazil" has a traditional bank account, where the funds can be transfered from bank to bank.

I understand the original topic, but am unable to find out why. I haven't found anything online about it. My point with the W/U information is that if it were me, and I had to drive to Nevada, I would save $3.50 per $300.00 using Direct Connect -vs- MoneyGram.

Good luck!

I'll look into it, if it'll help to get around the legal red tape, it may well be worth it. All banks and wire services seem to know about the restrictions, except I know one will tell me specifically what the reason for it is. Theres been a lot of head scratching and so on. A US bank teller called the company's main office for me, and was told that there was a federal block on that country, but they did not give him a clear reason why. He just said Ok into the phone, hung up and told me that he couldn't do it.

It's weird, that's for sure. Maybe drug cartels? It seems like Columbia would be restricted as well if that were the case. Maybe it is. I've spent 10 minutes researching it and have came up with nothing.

That's true, but out of this topic I think something valuable has been brought to light. If you're filing papers to bring someone to the US, and your fiance does not have the financial resources that would afford them a bank account in their country, then you should be looking into alternative methods for sending or transfering money. If you're not certain of the country's banking relationship with the U.S. and if any restrictions apply, start "Googling" for answers. Do not wait until the last minute (like I did), assuming that you can simply send money anywhere in the world from your PC, only to discover that you have embassy, medical appointments and other related financial needs, that only your finace can handle from his or her country. Avoid having to scramble around to find a solution for sending the necessary funds via money wiring. If your not sure, research money transfers at the same time you start the Visajourney just to cover your butt. It's stressfull enough going though the K-1 or other type of visa process without having this added to it.

Edited November 19, 2008 by Six-Twelve

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

was this something that was voted on in the recent elections?

[1HappyGuy 45]

I contacted Western Union to ask about sending money to Brazil from California. They told me that bank transfers are temporary not available, but didn't know why. You can still send money with their regular service to an individual in Brazil without any problems. I have started using the 48 hour service that WU has and it's a lot cheaper. It saves me a bunch of money that way and my wife's friend hasn't had any problems picking up money for my mother in law.

It's better to send money to my mother in law, than have her living with us.

If anyone finds out what the banking problem is, please post it.

[Teacher Mark 53]

I contacted Western Union to ask about sending money to Brazil from California. They told me that bank transfers are temporary not available, but didn't know why. You can still send money with their regular service to an individual in Brazil without any problems. I have started using the 48 hour service that WU has and it's a lot cheaper. It saves me a bunch of money that way and my wife's friend hasn't had any problems picking up money for my mother in law.

It's better to send money to my mother in law, than have her living with us.

If anyone finds out what the banking problem is, please post it.

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

I contacted Western Union to ask about sending money to Brazil from California. They told me that bank transfers are temporary not available, but didn't know why. You can still send money with their regular service to an individual in Brazil without any problems. I have started using the 48 hour service that WU has and it's a lot cheaper. It saves me a bunch of money that way and my wife's friend hasn't had any problems picking up money for my mother in law.

It's better to send money to my mother in law, than have her living with us.

If anyone finds out what the banking problem is, please post it.

i wonder if it has anything to do with the currency fluxuations with the real?

link

[Dan J 277]

I contacted Western Union to ask about sending money to Brazil from California. They told me that bank transfers are temporary not available, but didn't know why. You can still send money with their regular service to an individual in Brazil without any problems. I have started using the 48 hour service that WU has and it's a lot cheaper. It saves me a bunch of money that way and my wife's friend hasn't had any problems picking up money for my mother in law.

It's better to send money to my mother in law, than have her living with us.

If anyone finds out what the banking problem is, please post it.

i wonder if it has anything to do with the currency fluxuations with the real?

link

That's not the only country that has seen a huge fluctuation in exchange rates in the last couple months.

[William33 110]

I contacted Western Union to ask about sending money to Brazil from California. They told me that bank transfers are temporary not available, but didn't know why. You can still send money with their regular service to an individual in Brazil without any problems. I have started using the 48 hour service that WU has and it's a lot cheaper. It saves me a bunch of money that way and my wife's friend hasn't had any problems picking up money for my mother in law.

It's better to send money to my mother in law, than have her living with us.

If anyone finds out what the banking problem is, please post it.

i wonder if it has anything to do with the currency fluxuations with the real?

link

That's not the only country that has seen a huge fluctuation in exchange rates in the last couple months.

Indeed. as an example, the Indonesian Rupiah is exchanging @ 11,500 = $1

Haven't seen that rate in many years.

Edit to add: Correction RP 12,000 =$1.00

Edited November 20, 2008 by William33

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Send cash or gold coins.

[Six-Twelve 0]

I contacted Western Union to ask about sending money to Brazil from California. They told me that bank transfers are temporary not available, but didn't know why. You can still send money with their regular service to an individual in Brazil without any problems. I have started using the 48 hour service that WU has and it's a lot cheaper. It saves me a bunch of money that way and my wife's friend hasn't had any problems picking up money for my mother in law.

It's better to send money to my mother in law, than have her living with us.

If anyone finds out what the banking problem is, please post it.

I walked into a (several) Western Union counter located throughout and outside of the city I live in, and I even called Western Union. I was told that I could not wire cash to Brazil let alone transfer funds from my bank account. They started the process, but when they searched for Brazil on the computer, it was either posted not available for transaction to that country or Brazil simply wasn't on the list of countries to send to. That was with every wire transfer company that I checked in person and online including my own bank...Wellsfargo. And to take it a step further, while on-line with these companies I called and spoke with a customer service person to comfirm, hoping they'd bend the rules just a bit for me.

Edited November 20, 2008 by Six-Twelve

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

I contacted Western Union to ask about sending money to Brazil from California. They told me that bank transfers are temporary not available, but didn't know why. You can still send money with their regular service to an individual in Brazil without any problems. I have started using the 48 hour service that WU has and it's a lot cheaper. It saves me a bunch of money that way and my wife's friend hasn't had any problems picking up money for my mother in law.

It's better to send money to my mother in law, than have her living with us.

If anyone finds out what the banking problem is, please post it.

I walked into a (several) Western Union counter located throughout and outside of the city I live in, and I even called Western Union. I was told that I could not wire cash to Brazil let alone transfer funds from my bank account. They started the process, but when they searched for Brazil on the computer, it was either posted not available for transaction to that country or Brazil simply wasn't on the list of countries to send to. That was with every wire transfer company that I checked in person and online including my own bank...Wellsfargo. And to take it a step further, while on-line with these companies I called and spoke with a customer service person to comfirm, hoping they'd bend the rules just a bit for me.

ah....i wonder if the banks are still on strike down there! they were when nessa and i was there about a month ago.

Edited November 20, 2008 by charles!