Sending money to FSU

[wilmc]

For those of us who have established long term trusting relationships in the FSU and wish to and can afford to help our friends with some cash, what is the best, least costly method.

Western Union is very costly.

Recently I read a posting about a prepaid credit/debit card that allowed use for friends.  Unfortunately, the ones I could find have an upfront charge that is substantial.  It would have to be paid every time the balance was refreshed.

During my visits I have found that my USAA VISA credit card worked just fine in Moscow.  I only used them in ATM's that were located in banks and had no problems.  The exchange rate was the best I could find as well.  

My thought is to get a credit card in my name with a very low credit limit, say $1,000.00, secure a PIN number and let my friend use it for ATM cash advances.  If I am careful and keep an adequate credit balance I should avoid any large finance charges.  Therefore, the only charge might be the transaction fee and some cards, USAA included, do not charge them.

My question for the forum, is what potential risks may I have failed to consider?

[romachko]

... in response to Sending money to FSU, posted by wilmc on Jul 23, 2003

I frequently send money to my fiance in Ukraine directly from my bank to her account in Ukraine. My bank withdraws money from my account and electronically deposit it in her account over night. The fee is $60 regardless of the amount to be sent. I usually send $3000 at a time; so, the handling fee is equivalent to 2%. Western Union is not only expensive but simply turned me down because my town has no branch. They insisted that I go to Chicago (150 miles from here) to bring in cash! Very customer friendly advice?!?

[petem]

... in response to Re: Sending money to FSU, posted by romachko on Jul 24, 2003

I am impressed, I have been to 36 countries, but am 42.
How old is your lady?
your profile says you've been engaged since 1999, when are u getting married, when your 60?

[romachko]

... in response to Re: Re: Sending money to FSU, posted by petem on Jul 24, 2003

The first time I had correspondence with women of FSU was 1999 but I met the current one in August, 2001, through olenka-club (Olga and Eugene), which some of the members of this forum seem to be familiar with. I was with Yulia for 20 days at that time. Since then I met her three times more, for 20 days each, including pre-marital honeymoon (?) in Istanbul twice for 10 days each. We have been engaged with blessing of her mother and divorced father but most of her friends and relatives are against our marriage because of our age difference. She is 26 and I am 68. Practically all of my friends believe that she is a scam. If so, either she must be a world-class actress or I must be a world-class sucker, or both of the above. Sure I gave her money, lots of them indeed, but I know where they went. To tell the truth, I am happy to be a sugar daddy as long as she is not cheating me. Some of my friends suggest me to hire a private investigator. But I don’t know how. Does anyone know a reliable private investigator in Simferopol? I would appreciate to know. I recently filed petition for her K1. Her documents are consistent with what she told me so far. My skeptical friends suspect that the police and city office in Simferopol are all part of the ring to deceive me as well as many Americans, and the U.S. government is stupid enough to miss the con job. They remind me of the fact that one of the 9-11 terrorists received his visa extension from the INS months after they smashed the airplane. They have some point. Any good suggestion will be more than appreciated.

Tetem, you seem to be interested in the fact that I have been in so many countries. Just for your information I’ll show the places I visited. Most of my traveling was done when I was in 20’s-30’s. Here they are. USA (all states and most of big cities including Hawaii-both Oahu and Big Island and fly over all other islands. Alaska-only airport), Canada (many provinces),  Brazil (Brasilia, Rio, Sao Paulo, Iguasu), Argentina (Buenos Aires), Chile (Santiago), Peru (Lima, Cusco, Machu Pichu), Panama, Mexico, Paraguay (airport only), Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti, New Zeeland, Australia (Melbourne, Sidney), Japan (extensive), Korea (extensive), China (Dalien, Beijing, SeeAn, Dunhuang-west end of China), Hong Kong (under UK), Macao (under Portugal), Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand (Bangkok), Cambodia (Punon Pen, Angkor), India (New Delhi, Agra), Pakistan (Karachi), Iran (Tehran), Iraq (Baghdad-one year before Sadam), Egypt (Cairo, Giza,  Alexandria, Luxor), Lebanon (everywhere), Syria, Turkey (Ankara, Istanbul), Greece (Athens),  Russia (Moskva, Leningrad-St.Peterburg) , Poland (Warsaw), Czechoslovakia (Praha),  Hungary (Budapest), Romania (Bucharest). Bulgaria (Sophia), Yugoslavia (Belgrade), Ukraine (Kiev, Crimea-extensive), Iceland (airport only), Finland (most of large cities), Sweden (Stockholm and small cities), Norway (Oslo, Bergen, Narvik-north end of the railway in Europe), Denmark (Copenhagen, small cities), Germany (quite extensive), Switzerland (extensive), Austria (extensive), Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg, Italy (very extensive), France (Paris), Spain (Madrid, Barcelona), Portugal (Lisbon, Sintra, west end of Europe –I got a certificate for it!), Great Britain (London and surrounding towns), Ireland (most of large cities and places of tourist attraction). I have had a lot of unusual experience, some of which could have turned life threatening. But most of my traveling was exciting and I never regretted to be wherever I went. I have never made reservation of hotels except in Russia (advanced payment was prerequisite for visa) and Ukraine. The first thing I usually do upon arrival at a new city is to find a cheap hotel. Usually, but not always, you can find it. You could get totally stuck in a totally unfamiliar place. Some of my near disastrous situations: At Brasilia, the capital of Brazil in the middle of jungle, I had to chase the jet which was leaving, carrying my luggage in it; I had to negotiate with police in the jungle town of Iguasu because I illegally crossed the border between Brazil and Paraguay (I think) back and forth. They wanted to jail me only 30 minutes my plane would leave; The jet almost failed above the Andes-very scary experience; I was arrested in Cairo for filming the military facility but I talked out of it; In Rome I was almost ripped off by mafia. I argued with them for an hour and finally got out by paying $20! In many countries you have to negotiate with the taxi driver before entering the car. Often they don’t have a meter or don’t use it, if they have. Before going to the Arabic world you need to know at least how to write and read Arabic numerals – not the same as Romanized Arabic numerals which we use. And the most important expression to know in every language: “Where is toilette?”

[wilmc]

... in response to Re: Sending money to FSU, posted by romachko on Jul 24, 2003

Thank you for the suggestion.

I am surprised that you had trouble with Western Union.
I do not like their charges but I found the service to be acceptable.  I did have problems with their online service but the telephone service was quick and easy.  They let me use a credit card to charge the cash transfer.  I anticipated the transaction and had a credit balance on my VISA account.  Since my bank does not charge for cash advance transactions I paid nothing extra, except for some "time value of money."

[romachko]

... in response to Re: Re: Sending money to FSU, posted by wilmc on Jul 24, 2003

Your good experience with Western Union surprises me. I would like to try myself. Would you please tell me exactly how to proceed step by step? Where to call? How much do they charge per transaction/amount of money? Etc. If the cost is the same as the bank transaction, I would prefer WU-credit card transaction because the credit card gives me frequent flyer mileage.

[wilmc]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Sending money to FSU, posted by romachko on Jul 24, 2003

First on went to the Western Union Home Page on the Web.
There I registered and received a 9 digit "prefered customer number."  I don't know what they call it, but it does expedite the process.

Then I call 1 800 225 5227 and follow the menu.

They quote a service charge of 9 or 10%.  The actual charge was always less than 9% but varied.  It seemed the more the amount sent the lower the % was.  I usually sent between 3 and 500 dollars per month.

I believe there is a limit to the amount you can send to the FSU per month.

My USAA VISA card gave me frequent flyer miles.

Hope this helps.

[cherokee]

... in response to Sending money to FSU, posted by wilmc on Jul 23, 2003

send them the debit card. you can track the transactions online. I also thought about the visa gift card, works like a debit card/gift certificate, but haven't needed to do it since we use the separate bank account.

[Richard]

... in response to just open a separate bank account for th..., posted by cherokee on Jul 23, 2003

When I set an atm card up for my ex fiancee, I had the bank explicitly set the overdraft limit to zero. Other banks may set it up differently.

[wilmc]

... in response to just open a separate bank account for th..., posted by cherokee on Jul 23, 2003

Details please.  Did you send her a debit card with just your name on the account?  Did you set up a joint US bank account with her name on the account?  For her alone?  Did you use her FSU address?  Didn't she have to sign the application, signature card?  What about SS#?

Appreciate you repies.

[cherokee]

... in response to Re: just open a separate bank account fo..., posted by wilmc on Jul 23, 2003

i just opened the account in my name and sent the debit card (by postmail hidden amongst pictures) to our in-laws. they just go to the bank and use at the atm machine. they charge $1.50 for the transaction! beats the hell outa western onion. And we can manage the account online and they can also check the balance there.

[Griffin redux]

... in response to Re: Re: just open a separate bank accoun..., posted by cherokee on Jul 23, 2003

[Zink]

... in response to Re: Re: just open a separate bank accoun..., posted by cherokee on Jul 23, 2003

Did the same thing except for I hand delivered the card. The ATMs I used in Vladivostok charged $2.00 for the transactions. Still beats Western Union by a long ways. And you don't need to worry about the hassles they get when trying to pick up wired money. Just don't tell your bank what you did. They get a little excited about giving out bank cards and passwords.

[Georgina]

... in response to Re: Re: just open a separate bank accoun..., posted by cherokee on Jul 23, 2003

I do the same to send money to mother in South America. Works fine. $2 per withdrawn. Open separate account under your name. Sing up for a password online and you will be able to see and control when and how much is withdrawn from the account.

[Cold Warrior]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: just open a separate bank ac..., posted by Georgina on Jul 23, 2003

Una de mis primeros amores fue una peruana que conocí en Caracas. Después me averigüe que ella era miembro del Sendero con el apodo de Comandante Ana y que estaba exiliada en Caracas. Lastima, era muy bella pero tuve miedo de ella después.