Money makes the world go round, but finance is becoming increasingly digitised. When everything is online, cash users can feel old-fashioned or outdated. It can sometimes be difficult to move money if you don’t have a bank account, and although it is becoming less common, there are still people who have no relationship with banks at all. For them, sending and receiving money becomes an ordeal.
So, let’s take a look at ways to send money without a bank account, so you can send transfers to loved ones, help friends and make important payments when you don’t have a bank account.
How to send money without a bank account
At Western Union, we have two ways to send money without using a bank account transfer.
By card
The first way to send money without a bank account is to use a card that is not linked to a bank account, either a prepaid card, or a credit card that is not directly linked to a specific bank. You can use one of these cards to transfer money to a loved one and have it collected by that person in cash or, depending on the destination country, received in a mobile wallet.
Cash
The other way to send money to a person without a bank account is to do it in person. In our shops you can make transfers using cash, so a bank account would not be necessary. You can even initiate a transfer on our website or app and complete the transaction in person using cash. To do this, please follow the steps below:
- Open our website or download our mobile app and register or log in.
- Start the money transfer in the app or on the web.
- Pay at a Western Union shop in cash within 24 hours taking into account what you have set up when scheduling the transfer.
- Make sure you have identification on hand to make the whole process easier.
How to receive money without a bank account
With Western Union, there are also different ways to receive money without a bank account depending on your country of residence. You can also send money to a person without a bank account.
Cash collection
In Spain and in the vast majority of countries, your loved ones will be able to pick up the money you send them in cash through one of the Western Union establishments or agents. In this way, they will be able to receive the money even if they do not have a bank account. However, when collecting cash, the following will be necessary:
- Full name and country of residence of the person who sent the money
- Full name and country of residence of the person sending the money
- The amount of money to be received
- A valid identification document
- The transfer control number (MTCN)
The MTCN is a 10-digit code that the sender of a transfer will receive once the transfer order is approved. You can share it – securely – with your loved one, so you can both keep track of where the transfer is in the process.
By postal order
In the world of sending money by post, money orders are used as a safer alternative to sending cash or personal cheques. Money orders can be purchased at certain shops, post offices, and some banks and credit institutions, and allow you to send and receive money without a bank account.
International money orders are accepted in many countries and can be exchanged into local currency in most countries. However, there may be exceptions, so it is advisable to check this information before sending money using this method.
Mobile wallet1
Western Union allows you to send money directly to a friend or loved one’s mobile phone through a mobile wallet1. When you send a mobile transfer, the money goes to the mobile wallet account1 that is only linked to the phone number without the need for a bank account.
If your loved one lives in one of the countries where we offer this service, you can send money directly to their mobile phone. To ensure that the money is transferred to the recipient, enter the mobile phone number and also make sure that the person receiving the transfer has an activated mobile wallet with one of our partner mobile operators in their country of residence.
Once the transfer has been made, you will receive a confirmation with the tracking number (MTCN). Both the person making the transfer and the recipient can use this tracking number to follow the transfer. In addition, once the transfer has been made, we will confirm that the money has arrived correctly. All this in order to be able to receive money without a bank account.
How to choose the right method to send money without a bank account
Choosing how to send money without a bank account depends on a number of factors that need to be taken into account:
Depending on how much you want to send, certain methods may be better than others. For example, a money transfer service can send larger amounts on average, in one transaction, than a money order.
Speed is also a consideration: money orders can take a few days and depend on the postal service as well as the recipient to claim them, while transfers between virtual wallets can be made almost instantaneously. Similarly, cash transfers from money transfer services can be available for purchase immediately but require the recipient to pick them up in person.
Depending on the country in which you are receiving the transfer, you may not be able to use one of the ways of sending money without a bank account that we have explained. It is therefore always advisable to find out how you can receive money without a bank account in the destination country.
Send money to your loved ones on all special occasions
No matter what your loved ones are celebrating, whether it’s a birthday, a wedding, a new business opportunity or they just need a little help, we can help you send money to your loved ones without a bank account quickly and reliably.
1 Funds 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. For mobile transactions funds will be paid to receiver’s mWallet account provider for credit to account tied to receiver’s mobile number. Additional third-party charges may apply, including SMS and account over-limit and cash-out fees. See the transfer form for restrictions.
2 If you’re using a credit card, a card-issuer cash advance fee and associated interest charges may apply. To avoid these fees or for reduced fees, use a debit card or check other payment methods.
