posted on March 1, 2007 08:28:05 AM new
Have never done this before but.... a buyer wants to pay with a Western Union Money Order from Greece. He wants my full name and phone number. I use a business name for payments. Is this usual? Is there anything else I should know?
posted on March 1, 2007 08:58:08 AM new
When you go to the Western Union branch ,you need to produce some ID such as driver license and a code which your Greek buyer will give you after he completed his Western Union transaction.
If you give him your business name,how do you plan to identify yourself at the Western Union location?
The phone number may just be for the local clerk to call you .
posted on March 1, 2007 10:07:19 AM new
Stop,
You are way off base. The person wants to send a western union MONEY ORDER. That is much different than a western union money transfer.
maybedee,
Did you send your name and address when you sent the orginal WBN? If so, then it's a scam and you don't want anything to do with it. If you didn't send your address, you should have. One thing that is somewhat suspious is the fact that they want your phone number. This info is NOT needed to process an actual western union money order. It does sound like a scammer trying to steal your personal info.
posted on March 1, 2007 12:39:06 PM new
Do yourself a favor and go to www.WesternUnion.com and see what is required when someone is sending you money.
We paid a freelancer in India for work they did and the detail required is pretty extensive. Also, as part of their security measures, I had to call Western Union and provide details to validate that it was indeed a valid transaction and that the services I was purchasing had already been delivered.
Making that payment (while different than receiving one, obviously) was helpful to provide experience so that I know what's involved from the other end.
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
posted on March 1, 2007 12:43:17 PM new
I don't think they need your phone number for either a transfer or a money order. But he can get it from ebay in 10 seconds (if he is the buyer) so why not just give it to him.
Tell him you prefer a transfer. Then you can go to most of your local grocery stores or even some gas stations and pick up the money. I've done this many times at my local Winn Dixie. I have them cash the money order before I ever leave the store. There is no way this can back fire on you.
posted on March 1, 2007 01:07:15 PM new
I'd confirm with your Greek buyer whether they are sending you a printed WU Money Order through the mail, or a WU Money Transfer?
Both are safe for sellers; with Money Orders simply check for watermarks and the usual security measures or call the 1-800 hotline to verify it's authenticity and validity.
posted on March 1, 2007 01:20:25 PM new
Stone,
You are right,the Greek is planning to send money order,not money transfer.
Familybiz,
India has restrictions of fund flow,too many Indian merchants are sending their money overseas so the govt wants to make sure they can prove they have shipped the goods or perform the service as agreed .
If you are buying from an Indian company,you must wire the payment to an Indian bank and after the fund has arrived ,then the merchant can ship the goods.
This is to avoid situation that the Indian will ship you the goods and ask you to deposit the payment in their overseas account,if this trend continues,then Indian economy will weaken-goods leave the country and no money comes in.
Of course,these days the Indian economy is doing well,Indian merchants are more willing to keep their fund in their own country.
This is common practice among less devleoped countries where the political or economical situation is having problem and their currency is worth less and less everyday
