When sending money to family or friends, you have a lot of options. Checks. Money orders. Wire transfers. Electronic money transfer services. The list goes on.
Some methods get your money to the recipient faster than others. Some require more or less effort than others.
But what matters most when choosing how to send cash to someone? That your money gets there securely.
Whether you’re sending cash as a wedding or birthday gift or to support a family member in a time of need, these seven options can help ensure your money reaches its recipient safely.
- Personal check
- Cashier’s check
- Money order
- Wire transfer
- Prepaid debit card
- Mobile wallet
- Money transfer apps
1. Personal check
The tried-and-true personal check is one of the most common methods of sending cash to someone. When you write a check, you promise to pay your recipient from funds in your bank account. They can then cash your check or deposit it into their own account.
A personal check requires you to fill out several fields, including:
- Date: When the check is written or can be cashed
- Payee: The check’s recipient
- Amount: The dollar amount of the payment
- Memo: The purpose of the payment (optional)
- Signature: Used to authorize the check
Personal checks are secure because they require the recipient’s endorsement and you can track them, making them safer than sending paper bills. However, a personal check can still bounce after it’s written if it’s drawn from a bank account without sufficient funds. Plus, a check could potentially be forged if your checkbook is stolen, so it isn’t the most secure method of sending or receiving cash on this list.
| Pros | Cons |
| · Widely accepted
· Convenient · No fees |
· Risk of fraud or theft
· Delay in processing · No instant confirmation |
2. Cashier’s check
A cashier’s check is similar to a personal check but even more secure. It’s a check issued by a bank and drawn from the bank’s own funds. A bank deducts the money from your bank account when the teller issues the check, making it a secure option since it represents “guaranteed” funds. Cashier’s checks are often used to make large payments for things like real estate transactions or sending a big sum of money to a family member.
Here is the step-by-step process of how to send cash to someone using a cashier’s check:
- Visit your local bank or credit union branch.
- Provide the recipient’s name and dollar amount you want to send.
- Show a government-issued photo ID to verify your identity.
- Provide the debit card, bank details, or cash to pay for the cashier’s check. Note that banks often also charge fees for cashier’s checks.
- Verify that the payment details are correct.
- Receive your cashier’s check and send it to your recipient.
To secure your cashier’s check, consider using a delivery service that tracks your mail, requires a signature upon receipt, and confirms delivery once the check arrives.
| Pros | Cons |
| · Funds are guaranteed
· Checks are traceable and secure · Clear quicker than personal checks |
· Can come with fees
· Not issued by all banks or financial institutions · Risk of theft |
3. Money order
A money order is a prepaid financial document issued by a bank, post office, or money transfer provider like Western Union. Unlike a personal check, which can bounce, a money order guarantees the recipient a specific amount of money. Many use money orders to pay bills, send money to friends, or make purchases.
Before sending a money order, you’ll need the following information:
- Recipient’s name
- Recipient’s address
- Your name and address
- Amount of payment
- Cash, credit card, or debit card to pay for the money order
- Memo or note for the payment (optional)
When your recipient gets the money order, they will need to endorse it with their signature and deposit or cash it to get the funds.
| Pros | Cons |
| · Funds are guaranteed
· Can be used for international payments · Recipient doesn’t need a bank account |
· May have transaction limits
· Risk of theft by mail · May be delays in cashing |
4. Wire transfer
If you want to send money from your bank to someone else’s bank, a wire transfer might be your best option. Wire transfers are electronic payments that route directly from one bank account to another, most often through a secure network like the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT).
These networks use the latest encryption and authentication technologies, reducing the risk of fraud or theft. Their security and high transaction limits make wire transfers a great option for funding large transactions like real estate closing costs.
A wire transfer requires more info than other methods of sending money to someone. For domestic wire transfers within the US, this includes the recipient’s contact information and bank account and routing numbers. For international wire transfers, you may need a SWIFT/BIC code and/or international bank account number (IBAN) for the recipient’s bank.
Since wire transfers are irreversible, you likely won’t have recourse if you send money to the wrong account or get scammed. Also, you’ll likely pay a higher fee than other transfer methods.
| Pros | Cons |
| · Can be initiated remotely
· Secure, direct transfer between banks · High transaction limits |
· Usually have high fees
· Cannot be easily reversed or canceled · Only processed during banking hours |
5. Prepaid debit card
A prepaid debit card is a payment card that allows you to load the card with money upfront. Because you can only spend the money that’s loaded onto the card, there is no way to overdraft a prepaid debit card. Prepaid cards are great for those who don’t have access to a traditional bank account.
The easiest method for sending cash online to someone using a prepaid debit card is to reload your recipient’s existing card. With most cards, like the Western Union® Prepaid Visa Card, you can do this easily online using your own debit card, credit card, or bank account as payment.
If your recipient doesn’t already have a prepaid debit card, you can purchase one for them and add cash to the card immediately. However, unless the issuer offers a digital card option, you’ll have to get the recipient the physical card so they can use it to make purchases or withdraw cash. This likely will require mailing the card, which can bring additional risk when sending money.
| Pros | Cons |
| · Convenient, especially if the recipient already has a card
· Multiple payment options · No bank account required |
· Can have fees for reloading
· Risk of theft or lost card · May not be accepted everywhere |
6. Mobile wallet
An increasingly popular method of sending money online in recent years is through a mobile wallet. Mobile wallets allow you to store and manage your financial accounts directly on your smartphone by linking to your bank account, debit card, and other financial information.
Mobile wallets generally incorporate the latest fraud detection features and biometric security measures like facial recognition.
It’s easy to send money via a mobile wallet by adding your payment and recipient information. You can even use money transfer providers like Western Union to send cash to someone’s mobile wallet. Here’s how:
- Register with Western Union online or download the mobile app.
- Provide the transfer amount and the country where you want to send the money.
- Enter your recipient’s phone number and mobile wallet service provider. Check first to see if your recipient’s mobile wallet is a payout option.
- Confirm the details and receive an SMS message and tracking number to trace your transfer.
| Pros | Cons |
| · Near-instant transfers
· Minimal or no transaction fees · Advanced security features |
· Requires an internet connection for sender and recipient
· Potential technical issues · May not be accessible in all countries |
7. Money transfer app
Money transfer apps facilitate the transfer of cash electronically. There are a variety of apps on the market, including the Western Union® money transfer app. Each enables you to send money quickly and easily in the United States and internationally.
You can link your bank account or mobile wallet to a money transfer app and easily initiate payments or transfers. They also allow for a variety of payment options, like bank transfers or peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers. Plus, with low (or sometimes no) fees, money transfer apps can be among the most cost-effective ways to send cash safely.
Many money transfer apps are digital-only. However, the Western Union app not only allows you to send and receive cash but also to instantly pay bills, review exchange rates, and even find the nearest in-person locations.
With the option to send and receive money online or for cash pickup at an agent location, Western Union gives you more ways for your recipient to get their money.
| Pros | Cons |
| · Near-instant transfers
· Little-to-no transaction fees · Widely accessible on most smartphones |
· Sender and recipient must have compatible apps
· Can have low transaction limits · Must be aware of frauds and scams |
Avoid risks when sending cash
If you want to know how to send cash securely and avoid fraud and other related risks, consider following these tips:
- Only send money to people and vendors you know.
- Choose secure payment methods like electronic money transfers, wire transfers, money orders, or cashier’s checks.
- When mailing paper documents, insure your shipment and use secure mailing methods like registered or certified mail.
- Verify your recipient’s bank details and personal information before sending.
- Consider using a trusted intermediary to secure your transaction.
Ready to start sending cash? Join the millions of people worldwide who send money with Western Union. We use advanced encryption technology to keep your personal info safe.
Download the Western Union® app or visit one of our thousands of agent locations to get started.
FAQs
What are the most secure methods for sending cash?
If you can send cash electronically, a wire transfer, mobile wallet, or money transfer app are all considered secure ways to send money due to encryption and other security technologies. Cashier’s checks and money orders, which are traceable and guaranteed, are also secure methods for sending cash to someone.
How can I ensure my cash transfer is protected?
When sending a paper financial document like a cashier’s check or money order, consider insuring the package, requiring a signature upon receipt, and using secure mailing methods like certified or registered mail. For electronic money transfers, use only reputable money transfer services and apps.
