How to transfer money to someone

United Kingdom By Steve Wong April 28, 2022

Learn the different ways to transfer money to someone

Whether supporting a relative or treating a friend, transferring money to your nearest and dearest can show just how much you care. But money transfers don’t have to start and end there – you can also pay tradesmen and women, businesses and other people you owe.

The good news is that it’s quick and easy to get set up. In fact, there are many ways to transfer money to someone, whether that’s to another bank account, a mobile wallet or sending money for cash pickup.

This guide will help you find your most convenient option and outline the steps you need to take when sending money within the UK, or to more than 200 other countries around the world.

Never miss a payment with the Western Union® app or website – a fast and reliable way to transfer money to your loved ones while on the move. Or visit one of more than 4,400¹ agent locations, and we’ll take care of your money transfer needs.

Read on to discover how to transfer money to someone else with Western Union.

^{1Agent location count valid as of September 30th 2021.}

How to transfer money to someone online

There are plenty of reasons to send money to someone online, with supporting family and friends a key motivation. United Nations research has even shown that by 2019, around one in nine people around the world were supported by money sent by loved ones who had migrated.

It’s easy to transfer money to someone online, regardless of whether they’re based in the UK or abroad. You can also use Western Union’s services to switch funds from one of your bank accounts to another.

All you’ll need to do is follow these simple steps to ensure your online money transfer gets to the people that matter the most to you.

1. Get started online

Register for a new profile with Western Union or log in with your existing details. Then click ‘Send money’. Choose your receiver’s country to see the types of services available and select the amount you would like to send. At this point you’ll also need to select the way your loved one wants to receive their money and the chosen method of payment. Then click ‘Continue’.

2. Complete your transfer

The next step in how to transfer money to someone is to either select a previous receiver or enter the relevant details for someone new. At this stage you will need their personal information, purpose of transaction and source of funds. If you’re sending money to their bank account, you’ll also need their account information. Once you have entered all of their information accurately, you can now make your payment using your debit/credit² card.

²^{Some card issuers may charge additional fees for using our services. Please contact your card issuer for more information.}

3. Track your transfer

Once you have successfully completed your transfer online, you will receive an email receipt with your tracking number (MTCN). Both yourself and your receiver can then use this number to track your transfer using our online tool, ensuring you can both monitor its progress in real time.

How to send money to someone in person

Sometimes you may prefer the personal touch when sending money to someone else. Or you might need to pay for your money transfer with cash. Whatever the reason, transferring funds in person shouldn’t be a problem.

It’s fast and straightforward to transfer money to someone else’s bank account or mobile wallet from a Western Union agent location. You can also send cash from one agent location to another, which could be ready for your family and friends to pick up in minutes³.

Simply search online for an agent location near you, then follow these quick steps to transfer money to a loved one.

^{3Funds may be delayed or services unavailable based on certain transaction conditions, including amount sent, destination country, currency availability, regulatory issues, identification requirements, Agent location hours, differences in time zones, or selection of delayed options. Additional Restrictions may apply. See terms for details.}

1. Begin the transfer

Provide the details of your money transfer to an agent and show them a form of valid government-issued ID. If you’re sending money to their bank account, you will need to ensure you have your receiver’s account details ready. You may also need to provide proof of funds at this stage. To help with this, you can take a bank statement, tax return or payslip with you.

2. Complete the payment

Pay for your transfer and any additional transfer fees ⁴ using cash or a debit/credit² card.

3. Alert your receiver

Share your tracking number (MTCN) with your receiver so you can both track your transfer.

Another option is to start a transfer online, before paying with cash in-store. The benefit of doing this is that you can lock in the exchange rate and transfer fees⁴ by setting up your transfer online first. Make sure you then pay at an agent location within 24 hours and bring your photo ID.

⁴^{Western Union also makes money from currency exchange. When choosing a money transmitter, carefully compare both transfer fees and exchange rates. Fees, foreign exchange rates and taxes may vary by brand, channel, and location based on a number of factors. Fees and rates subject to change without notice.}

How to transfer money to someone via our app

Financial and payment apps continue to rise in popularity, with 54% of people in the UK making use of mobile banking services during 2020.

You can use the Western Union® app for fast and reliable money transfers to your family and other people. Choose to transfer money to someone’s bank account, mobile wallet or an agent location for a cash pickup in minutes³.

1. Download the Western Union® app

Get the Western Union® app from the Apple App Store for iOS or Google Play if you have an Android device. Register a new profile, or log in to an existing one, to get your money transfer started. You’ll need your driver’s license, passport or government-issued ID to verify your profile.

2. Begin your money transfer

Select the destination for your transfer and how much you would like to send. Choose to send to a bank account, an agent location, or a mobile wallet (if valid in the receiver’s country) and enter the details.

3. Make your payment

Pay for your money transfer with a debit/credit² card or with your bank account. If you would like to pay in cash, you can start your transfer on the Western Union® app before visiting one of more than 4,400^[1] agent locations to complete the transfer in person.

4. Share your MTCN

Keep your unique tracking number (MTCN) and share it with your receiver so you can both watch the progress of the transfer.

What do you need to send money to someone?

To give everyone peace of mind, you’ll need to provide a few details when making a money transfer to someone, whether they’re just around the corner, based in another UK city or live overseas.

When you’re looking into how to transfer money to someone, it’s important to remember that the method and target destination of the transfer can affect what information you need to provide.

For all transfers, whether online, in person or via the Western Union® app, you may need:

accurate details of the receiver.
adequate funds to cover the transfer and any necessary transfer fees⁴.
a valid form of government-issued ID.
the purpose of transaction.
a source of funds.

When sending from an agent location a suitable ID can include a current passport, driving licence, residency or national identity card, or emergency travel documents.

What else do you need to send money to a bank account?

Bank account details – these can include the receiver’s name, sort code and account number.
Bank code – this is used to identify different global banks and may be known as a BSB, BIC, Swift Code, CHIPS, NCC or IFSC.
IBAN – some countries may also require an International Bank Account Number.

What else do you need to send money for a cash pickup?

Receiver name and address. Ensure the information matches their official ID.

FAQs and guides

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