Frequently Asked Questions

• Yes, the Western Union direct to bank account service is an easy and convenient way to send funds directly to your receiver’s bank account in selected countries.

You can use our country list to find out in which countries this service is available. You’ll also find all the necessary information to complete a transfer directly to a bank account.

Simply select the direct to bank account service when sending money online or at an agent location. What you need to provide when selecting this service changes from country to country, but usually includes:

• The receiver’s bank name and code.
• The receiver’s bank account name and number.

To find out which countries are available for the direct to bank service, please check our country list.

A bank code is a series of numbers used to identify banks around the world. They can have between 3 and 23 digits depending on the bank and the country.

A bank code could be called:

• BSB
• SWIFT Code
• BIC (Bank Identification Code)
• CHIPS (Clearing House Inter-bank Payment System) – US and Canada only
• NCC (National Clearing Code)
• BSC (Bank Sort Code)
• IFSC (Indian Financial System Code)

For some countries you may need an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) in addition to the bank code.

Ask your receiver for the bank code and IBAN (if applicable). You can refer to our direct to bank account country list to find out more.

A Bank Identification Code (BIC) is used to identify banks worldwide. BIC is the same as a SWIFT code, and it can be between 8 and 11 digits long.

Ask your receiver if a BIC is required in their country, you can also check our country list for more details.

An International Bank Account Number (IBAN) is a code used in some countries to identify a customer’s bank account. The IBAN has a letter to identify the country followed by 2 digits, and then up to 35 characters for the bank account number.

You can check our country list to see what details are needed for each country. Ask your receiver for the IBAN if its required.

Direct to bank account money transfers can change from country to country and can take up to five days*. For more details, please refer to our direct to bank country list

*Funds may be delayed or services unavailable based on certain transfer conditions, including amount sent, destination country, currency availability, regulatory and foreign exchange issues, required receiver action(s), identification requirements, Agent location hours, differences in time zones, or selection of delayed options. Additional restrictions may apply. See Terms and Conditions for details.

Western Union services are for anyone who needs to quickly send or receive money. From travelers and people supporting friends or relatives abroad, to business people who need to make fast international money transfers.

You can easily find a nearby Western Union agent by using our agent locator tool.

Sending money in person is easy, simply follow these steps:

• Locate a nearby agent using our agent locator tool.
• Provide the agent with your government-issued ID or passport.
• Provide the agent your receiver’s information.
• Confirm the country you are sending to.

After presenting this information you can give the agent the total amount you want to send, including the applicable transfer fees. Remember to get the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) from your receipt and share it only with your receiver, they will need it to pick up the cash.

To send money at a Western Union agent location you will need to present a valid version of one of the following: a passport, national identification card, international passport for non-residents, identification cards issued in European Union countries and Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo. Please note acceptable IDs are subject to the banking laws and regulations of Albania.

You can check your transfer status online. All you need is the sender’s or the receiver’s name and the tracking number (MTCN – Money Transfer Control Number) on the receipt.

Each Western Union agent location determines its own hours of operation. Some have extended hours and even open during weekends. Find a nearby Western Union agent location with our agent locator.

You’ll need to present a valid version of one of the following: a passport, national identification card, international passport for non-residents, identification cards issued in European Union countries and Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo., to pick up money at a Western Union agent location. Please note acceptable IDs are subject to the Banking laws and regulations of Albania.

You can go to Track a transfer at wu.com. There you can type in the sender’s name and the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) and you’ll get an update on the latest status of your money transfer.
You can also call Western Union Customer Care center toll free on 0800 44 55 from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekdays and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturdays and holidays or email westernunion@uft.al. Support is available in Albanian and English

Money transfers will generally be paid in cash. Other restrictions may apply.
For more information, please visit a nearby Western Union agent location.

All applicable transfer fees are paid by the sender. The receiver pays no transfer fees.

No, it’s free to register for online on wu.com in Albania.

Anyone who meets the following criteria can use our online money transfer service.

• Must have a valid government issued ID, including a passport, national identification card, international passport for non-residents, identification cards issued in European Union countries and Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must accept the Terms and Conditions of Online Profile Registration and Online Privacy Statement for using our online services.
• Albania citizens should have a personal identification number.
• Must have a bank account issued in Albania.
• Must have a valid mobile phone number issued in Albania.

Registration with a valid ID and a phone number is possible only once.

You can change or update your Western Union profile information from the “Profile” tab after you log in. If you want to change your personal information, go to your online profile and select “Edit profile” from the right-hand menu. If you have any questions about your profile, please contact Western Union Customer Care center toll free on 0800 44 55 from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekdays and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturdays and holidays or email westernunion@uft.al. Support is available in Albanian and English

Once you’re logged in you can easily change or update your Western Union profile by selecting the “Profile” tab, then select “Edit profile” from the menu on the right-hand side and change your password. For online registration, you can use only one phone number. If your phone number has changed, then the only way to get access to your profile is by calling the Western Union Customer Care center.
If you have any questions, please contact Western Union Customer Care center toll free on 0800 44 55 from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekdays and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturdays and holidays or email westernunion@uft.al. Support is available in Albanian and English

You can delete your online profile by contacting Western Union Customer Care center toll free on 0800 44 55 from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekdays and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturdays and holidays or email westernunion@uft.al. Support is available in Albanian and English

Yes, before making your first online transfer, you will need to verify your profile in person. Once you have successfully registered online, please visit one of the Unioni Financiar Tirana (UFT) locations for a one time in-person verification. Once your profile is verified, you will be able to send money online.

After you present a valid government-issued ID at one of the Unioni Financiar Tirana (UFT) locations you will receive a confirmation via SMS.

If you are a resident in Albania, then the following identification is accepted:
– Identity card issued by the Republic of Albania;
– Passport issued for Albanian citizens. If you are a European Union resident, or a resident of Macedonia, Montenegro or Kosovo the following identification is accepted:
– Identity card issued in European Union, or respectively in Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo. If you are a non-resident, then the following identification documents are accepted:
– International passport of the foreign citizen. Identification documents should have your full name, ID details, citizenship and date of birth.
Please make sure to bring the same identification document to the verification location that you have used for your online profile.

Search for a Union Financial Tiran (UTF) location near to you. All locations on the list will verify your online profile.

Western Union values its business and takes pride in delivering your funds in the quickest and most reliable way possible. However, it is important that you protect yourself from fraudsters who are out to get your money. Below are some frequently asked questions about fraud. For more information, please visit the Fraud Awareness section here.

Yes. Only use Western Union to send money to friends and family. Never send money to someone you have not met in person. Scammers sometimes encourage people to transfer money. Do not transfer money to anyone who asks you to send them money:

• For an emergency situation you haven’t confirmed
• For an online purchase
• For anti‐virus protection
• For a deposit or payment on a rental property
• To claim lottery or prize winnings
• To pay taxes
• For a donation to charity
• For a mystery shopping assignment
• For a job opportunity
• For a credit card or loan fee
• To resolve an immigration matter

After the money is paid, Western Union may not be able to give you a refund, even if you are the victim of fraud, except under limited circumstances.

If you receive an email from anyone claiming to be from Western Union and you are unsure about it, do not click on any links in the email. This may be a “phishing” attempt to acquire sensitive information from you. Instead, immediately contact Western Union Customer Care center toll free on 0800 44 55 from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekdays and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturdays and holidays or email westernunion@uft.al. Support is available in Albanian and English or visit any Western union agent location near you.

Please note Western Union WILL NEVER send you e-mails to ask for your user ID, password, or credit card details.

In some countries, senders are asked to provide a Test Question and its answer when they initiate the transfer. In cases where a Test Question was provided by the sender, the receiver may be required to give the answer when picking up the funds. The Test Question feature is designed for emergency situations where the receiver still needs to provide proper identification. It should never be used as additional security or to delay payment. In many places, we’ll pay the receiver whenever the receiver shows proper identification, even if he/she does not know the answer to the question. Test question is not available for payout in Albania.

The Test Question feature is designed for emergency situations where the receiver still needs to provide proper identification. It should never be used as additional security or to delay payment. In many places, we’ll pay the receiver whenever the receiver shows proper identification, even if he/she does not know the answer to the question. Test question is not available for payout in Albania.

• Always make sure you know who you are sending money to.
• Discontinue a call if a caller coaches you to respond to questions asked by Western Union.
• Security is everyone’s responsibility. Stay informed. Keep abreast of new fraud trends.
• Remember, if it seems too-good-to-be-true, it probably is.
• Get more information about how to protect yourself from fraud.

To protect our customers, we review every money transfer to make sure it’s safe. For a variety of reasons, we may ask you to provide us with more information before we can allow you to continue using our services.

We need additional information to understand why you use Western Union and the relationship between you and the person or entities you’re transacting with. The more information you provide, the quicker we’ll be able to complete your request.

To have access to our services again, follow the steps below:

1. Gather the required documents. Please note that these will vary depending on your reason for using Western Union and your relationship to the person or entities you’re transacting with. At minimum you must be prepared with your government-issued photo ID, documents that relate to your purpose for using Western Union, proof of the source of the funds, and any additional documents that may provide support for the answers provided on the questionnaire. For more information, go to Help section at westernunion.com.
2. Go to westernunion.com/gcr and start the customer questionnaire.
3. Complete the customer questionnaire:

• Personal information:
  – Provide your first, middle (optional) and last names as they appear on your ID.
  – Share your current email, physical address and mobile number. Please make sure you provide an active email address for communication purposes.
  – Specify your country of birth.- Select your occupation and provide additional clarification if needed.
  – Enter a recent tracking number (MTCN) if available.
  – Upload a copy of your valid government-issued photo ID.

• Relationships:
  – List people or entities you’ve transacted with using Western Union.
  – For each person or entity, enter the full name, relationship, purpose of transaction and upload supporting documents.
• Source of funds:
  – Choose the source of funds from the drop-down list and upload supporting documents.

• Third party details (if you are transacting on behalf of someone else) (if applicable):
  – Explain the purpose of transaction(s) and your relationship to the third party.
  – Provide the details related to the third party.
• Fraud (if applicable):
  – Indicate if you’ve been a victim of fraud or
  – If yes, share a brief description of what happened.

4. Review the accuracy of the information you provided.
5. Select Submit questionnaire to complete the process.

a. Valid government-issued photo ID is needed to verify your identity.

• Examples: passport, driver’s license, national ID.

b. Source of funds is needed to make sure that the money transfers are not related to illegal acts and correspond to the nature of your activity.

• Examples: at least the latest 3 months of bank statements, at least the latest 3 months of pay slips, employment contract with salary, loan papers, sale agreement, winning receipt, tax return statement, etc.

c. Purpose of money transfer or intended use of money is needed to understand the basis for making the payment and the type of relations between the sender and the payee.

• Examples:
  • Personal remittance/family support – the following documents are suitable to prove relationship: pictures with persons you transacted with, marriage certificate, counterparty’s birth certificate, counterparty’s government issued ID, etc.
  • Business remittance/payment for goods/services – bills, receipts, sale or purchase agreements, etc.
  • Education – evidence of tuition fees, etc.
  • Medical expenses – hospital bills, pharmacy receipts, health insurance premiums, etc.
  • Charity support – written acknowledgment from the charity, etc.
  • Purchase home – purchase agreement, mortgage documents, etc.
  • Gift – receipts, etc.
  • Travel expenses – travel tickets, hotel bookings, etc.

d. Third party activity (sending or receiving money on behalf of individual or business) information is needed to understand the purpose and nature of your relationship with Western Union.

• Examples: business registration documents, letter of authorization by the company or notary, bank statement showing access to third party funds, etc.

After we’ve received your completed questionnaire and required documentation, we’ll email you a response within 3 business days.

In case we have additional questions, we may contact you via the email address provided in the questionnaire.

We’re committed to the security of your personal information. We use organizational, technical and administrative safeguards that comply with applicable government laws and regulations to secure your personal information. We also restrict access to the personal information that we process to only our employees, agents and representatives that have a business need to know it. For more information, read our Terms and Conditions and Online Privacy Statement.