RUNNING out of money while on holiday or working abroad is a very common occurrence with the causes ranging from theft, serious car trouble, an accident or illness or even simple overspending.
Getting money transferred quickly is best done via electronic transfer and one of the most efficient ways is via the Western Union, which now operates out of 250 outlets in Ireland (mainly building societies, bureaux de change, hotels, etc.) and 30 000 worldwide in 125 countries.
If you need to send money urgently to someone abroad, you simply walk into any Western Union outlet, (you don't require a credit card or bank account) fill out a form, hand over your cash and within 15-30 minutes the person at the other end will be paid the equivalent sum in the currency of that country.
The service charge depends on the amount being sent. For example, a £500 transaction to anywhere in the world will cost £31, or about 6 per cent, but this includes any foreign commission or fees that will be charged at the other end.
The higher the amount the lower the percentage charge.
Western Union has produced an excellent travel guide complete with a checklist of things to do before you go (such as photocopying important documents like passports and visas) and a number of money tips. It includes a credit card size card with key Western Union numbers in Europe and the US.
The Western Union free phone line in Ireland is 1 800 395 395. Credit card money transfers can also be arranged using this number.
