Advice, Western Union Scam

28.12.2007

64c Kempshott Road

Streatham

London

SW16 5LH

*RE: Help, **Western Union** Scam*

To Whom it may concern

I would like to make a complaint against the reliability and security

measures of the money transfer institution, Western Union.

I have lost =A3400 (four hundred pounds) from a fraudulent incident that

happened on 29 November 2007. My friend and I were looking for a room to

rent on www.gumtree.co.uk. We responded to an advert for a flat that was in

the right area and price bracket. In order to prove that we were capable th=

e

woman, who named herself as Helen Coleman, requested proof that we had a

deposit of =A3400 at our disposal for the room. This proof was to come in =

the

form of a receipt from Western Union stating the said transfer from my

friend to myself, and the receipt then being emailed through. The fraudster

then proceeded to pick up the funds using fraudulent identification. No

password or security measures were in place, though in my previous

experience this has always been the case.

This incident has been reported to the police and I have received an

investigation number (if so required, all details have been recorded and ca=

n

be supplied). I have discovered that many similar incidents have occurred

through Western Union. Surely security measures should be tightened? West=

ern

Union made a total of =A332 on this transaction alone! Enough one would

imagine to offer some kind of security. It would seem that these kinds of

incidents in fact work in their favour, and there are no measures in place

to compensate victims of fraud. It is in fact Western Union who has been

defrauded, not ourselves. Therefore I believe that Western Union should

refund the full amount, and take up the matter internally with their own

insurance and legal departments.

What made this experience even worse was the unhelpful, unpleasant attitude

of the staff members of Western Union. They were reluctant to get involved,

saying that this was a matter purely for the police, despite the police

claiming the contrary.

This transaction had been placed in the good faith that Western Union was a

secure and reliable way to transfer money, and that adequate security

measures were in place to protect its customers.

I would really appreciate it if you offer any advice or assistance on this

matter, as I am very disappointed and frustrated with the turn of events,

and I am sure there are many others who would also benefit from this.

Yours Sincerely

Alex Mason (Ms)

075 1414 3968 / Email User

Comment On This

i'm sorry to hear that alex, and i would have to say that the exact same thing happened to me. but, before i send the e-mail with the receipt i have erased the name of the receiver. After numerous calls to the WU offices they told me to go to the police but it's really the WU's problem because they are supposed to keep the personal details safe. no one can get the receivers name of a money transfer except an operator in a western union office.

Comment On This

Why is it people refuse to protect themselves with a simple password? Instead they send the money willy nilly then piss and moan when that money is stolen..I'm sorry, but everytime I and my Partner used WU we instigated the password feature..that way we knew exactly who was receiving our money..they could not get that money unless they knew the secret password..it works everytime!! WU and Money gram are safer to use then Paypal..I have never had a problem with WU or moneygram, but paypal and their buyers have stolen from me many times over in the past. I no longer deal with paypal or paypal only Sellers..I am sorry, but if you didn't instigate a password the theft is on your head, after all WU does offer that feature, YOU are the one who chose not to use it!!