Press Release
Western Union Adds New Russian Agent to Global Network; Western Union and Agricultural Bank of Russia to Offer Money Transfer Service
DENVER, Nov. 6, 2001 - As part of its continuing global expansion, Western Union Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC) today announced the addition of Agricultural Bank of Russia to its fast-growing international Agent network.
With more than 100 affiliates and branches in operation today, the Agricultural Bank of Russia has an aggressive growth strategy. The Bank plans to establish a total of approximately 200 affiliates and branches in more than 60 of the country's 89 regions by the end of 2001. Rollout of the Western Union ® Money Transfer service will begin immediately in approximately 10 locations. It is anticipated that the service will be available in the Bank's 200 planned affiliates and branches during the second quarter of 2002. Additional locations will provide Western Union services as the Bank's expansion continues.
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You can request an international money order or a certified check.
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From Wikipedia -
An international money order is very similar in many aspects to a regular money order except that it can be used to make payments abroad. With it, a buyer can easily pay a seller for goods or services if he or she resides in another country. International money orders are often issued by a buyer's bank and bought in the currency that the seller accepts. International money orders are thought to be safer than sending currency through the post because there are various forms of identification required in order to cash an international money order, often including a signature and a form of photo identification.
When purchasing an international money order, it is important to ensure that the specific type of money order is acceptable in the destination country. In particular, several countries are very strict that the money order be on pink paper and include the words "postal money order." In particular, the Japan Post (one of the largest banking institutions in the world) requires these features. Most other countries have taken this as a standard when there is any doubt of a document's authenticity.
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A cashier's check (also known as a bank check, official check, teller's check, bank draft or treasurer's check) is a check guaranteed by a bank. They are usually treated as cash since most banks clear them instantly.
Cashier's checks feature the name of the issuing bank in a prominent location, usually the upper left-hand corner or upper center of the check. In addition, they are generally produced with enhanced security features, including watermarks, security thread, color-shifting ink, and special bond paper. These are designed to decrease the vulnerability to counterfeit items. In order to be recognized as a cashier's check, words to that effect must be included in a prominent place on the front of the item.
The payee's name, the written and numeric dollar amounts, the remitter's information, and other tracking information (such as the branch of issue), are printed on the front of the check. The check is generally signed by one or two bank employees or officers; however, some banks issue cashier's checks featuring a facsimile signature of the bank's chief executive officer or other senior official.
Due to an increase in fraudulent activities in 2006 many banks insist upon waiting for a cashier's check to clear the originating institution. Personal checks will thus have the same utility in such transactions. [1]
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From
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/check_scam.html• Do not assume that the cashier's check has cleared and is not counterfeit even if your bank says that funds are avialable.
• Do not withdraw cash or write checks on any cashier's check until the check has cleared, and there is no risk that you will have to reimburse the bank.
