How to send a wire transfer

Sending money to people at home and abroad isn’t always as simple as writing a check or using a credit card. No matter your circumstances, you can get your money where it needs to go safely, securely and quickly with a wire transfer.

How can I send a wire transfer?

Depending on what kind of wire transfer you need, sending a wire transfer involves:

1. Gathering the information you need.
2. Choosing your preferred wire transfer option and applying.
3. Tracking your transfer to confirm it is received.

What do I need to send a wire transfer?

Before you can send a wire transfer, you will need to know:

What are my wire transfer options?

You have a few options for conducting a wire transfer: bank-to-bank, in a money services office, or online.

Bank-to-bank wire transfers

A bank-to-bank wire transfer sends money directly from your bank account to another bank account, usually by filling out a form with the contact and account details for the recipient.

In-office wire transfer

In-office wire transfer companies like Western Union offer quick transfers and are located worldwide.

To make the transfer, complete a form with you and your recipient’s information, including the location of the office your recipient will pick up the money. Confirm your exchange rate if you’re making an international transfers, and save your tracking number to be notified that the money has arrive safely.

Online transfers

Online services like PayPal, OFX and WorldRemit have become popular because of lower fees and ease of sending money worldwide. You’ll have to create an account and attach your bank account or credit card to make a transfer. Once your financial details are saved, you can make future transfers more easily.

What happens next?

After you receive confirmation that your wire transfer is successfully sent, use your tracking number to confirm that it gets to your recipient and they’ve received the money.

If there is any trouble with the wire transfer, you can contact the money transfer service you used — whether a bank, in-office service or online. Many banks and services offering international wire transfers have 24-hour customer service lines to assist with questions or concerns.

Whether needed often or occasionally, wire transfers are a dependable option to send money internationally — especially when it needs to get there quickly. And when it comes to your money, that’s just the peace of mind you deserve.

Learn how to receive a wire transfer from someone else

Frequently asked questions about wire transfers

• What's the difference between a telegraphic transfer, wire transfer and bank transfer?

  Nothing. When you send an international bank transfer, your bank is sending your money as a telegraphic transfer. Wire transfer is the name used most often in the US, whereas telegraphic transfer is more often used in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

• How safe is a money transfer?

  When processed through a reputable bank or company, your funds are safely tracked until in the hands of your recipient. And if you’re sending money internationally, federal protections are in place that require banks, credit unions and money transfer companies to, for example, disclose all fees upfront and give you 30 minutes to cancel a transfer, assuming it hasn’t yet been picked up or deposited.

• Can I receive money through a wire transfer?

  Yes. Your sender would initiate the transaction for deposit or pickup on your end.

• What happens if my recipient doesn't pick up the money?

  This is a good question to ask your specific bank or wire transfer company, because the process may differ slightly among them. Generally, your money is held for a period of time before released back to your account.

• I was just notified that I won a prize, but that I need to wire a small fee in order to receive it. Should I wire money to somebody that I do not know?

  No. You should never wire money to somebody that you don’t know, or you could fall prey to a wire transfer scam. Often for these scams, you are notified that you’ve won a prize or the lottery, but that you need to first pay a fee to receive it. They can also involve an email from “friends,” often ones traveling abroad, who find themselves in trouble and need money wired immediately. When in doubt, research online to see if others have received such an offer. If you confirm a scam, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 877-382-4357 or ftc.gov/complaint.