Money was sent to my little brother for his final year project via moneygram. He went to the bank to cash it. His bank had network issues, he had to go to First Bank. He was told that there is no way to get the money without opening account with them. All pleadings fell on deaf ears.
I can recall that in recent past, I have received money transfers with just my ID card without the need for a bank account with that branch. Is this a new policy or just a banking strategy by the branch? Is this peculiar to First Bank or is it CBN directives?

Yes you need to have an account with bank you're receiving MoneyGram/Western Union or you get an account holder of the bank to reference you.

Curiouscity:
Money was sent to my little brother for his final year project via moneygram. He went to the bank to cash it. His bank had network issues, he had to go to First Bank. He was told that there is no way to get the money without opening account with them. All pleadings fell on deaf ears.
I can recall that in recent past, I have received money transfers with just my ID card without the need for a bank account with that branch. Is this a new policy or just a banking strategy by the branch? Is this peculiar to First Bank or is it CBN directives?

madridguy:
Yes you need to have an account with bank you're receiving MoneyGram/Western Union or you get an account holder of the bank to reference you.

Thank you.

What is the essence of such account? I thought the emphasis should be on proper identification. Is our International passport or driver's license not able to properly identify someone?
Why is it the cooperate headquarters of the bank denied such policy being in place?

madridguy:
Yes you need to have an account with bank you're receiving MoneyGram/Western Union or you get an account holder of the bank to reference you.

that's not true, my mum receives WU In any bank with her ID card. Tho I dont know about MG because I dont use it.

Well, I will not argue with you over minor issue cus I dont know where your mum resides. Here in Lagos, Nigeria, you cannot receive WESTERN UNION/ MONEY GRAM from bank you don't have an account with unless with a referee. Go to any bank and confirm that I dont argue without fact.

FreeWorld23:
that's not true, my mum receives WU In any bank with her ID card. Tho I dont know about MG because I dont use it.

Well, the policy is not new though but I think its really help in fighting corruption in Western Union/MoneyGram. Most of bankers steal transaction at times since their belief is that almost everyone using the service is WRONGS guy so they will only tell you there is network and when you leave their counter they will pull down the money, and when you get to other bank you here " Picked up " or money received by the receiver. So, many of this bankers did this with the help of fake ID cards. With this policy, even if fake ID card is produced the owner of the account that referee will be held responsible.

And some cases if the money you're receiving is more than $500 they wont pay you directly, they will pay into your provided account.

Cc: FreeWorld23

Curiouscity:


Thank you.

What is the essence of such account? I thought the emphasis should be on proper identification. Is our International passport or driver's license not able to properly identify someone?
Why is it the cooperate headquarters of the bank denied such policy being in place?

madridguy:
Well, I will not argue with you over minor issue cus I dont know where your mum resides. Here in Lagos, Nigeria, you cannot receive WESTERN UNION/ MONEY GRAM from bank you don't have an account with unless with a referee. Go to any bank and confirm that I dont argue without fact.

she resides In Lagos too. Maybe it depends on area sha or new policy as u stated above.

The policy is more than 2 years. Let her ask her banker when next she go for transaction.

FreeWorld23:
she resides In Lagos too. Maybe it depends on area sha or new policy as u stated above.

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You only need a valid card to receive money

You can learn more about how MoneyGram Works here



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madridguy:
Well, I will not argue with you over minor issue cus I dont know where your mum resides. Here in Lagos, Nigeria, you cannot receive WESTERN UNION/ MONEY GRAM from bank you don't have an account with unless with a referee. Go to any bank and confirm that I dont argue without fact.

Bro I have friends in Lagos that receives money through western union without any account there, just with ID card only.

Back then like a decade ago, ID was not even asked for when you have a referree there.
This is Nigeria.


I believe this is new policy.

Do you check the year of the post? 2016, things are change now. Just BVN now is all you need to receive money.

LogicallySXT:


Bro I have friends in Lagos that receives money through western union without any account there, just with ID card only.

Back then like a decade ago, ID was not even asked for when you have a referree there.
This is Nigeria.


I believe this is new policy.

madridguy:
Do you check the year of the post? 2016, things are change now. Just BVN now is all you need to receive money.

True..

LogicallySXT:


Bro I have friends in Lagos that receives money through western union without any account there, just with ID card only.

Back then like a decade ago, ID was not even asked for when you have a referree there.
This is Nigeria.


I believe this is new policy.

Western Union has much higher fees but can be received everywhere.
Moneygram is cheaper, but you send it to a particular location (bank etc)
None of those require bank accounts. If you have some more questions, moneygram customer service is always here for you https://moneygram.pissedconsumer.com/customer-service.html. Good luck!

HappyMangle:


Western Union has much higher fees but can be received everywhere.
Moneygram is cheaper, but you send it to a particular location (bank etc)
None of those require bank accounts.

Exactly what I was trying to say.