Recent experiences with moneygram to bitcoin

[teamhugs]

I've been buying $50-$200 of bitcoins via moneygram because there is no one else around me (according to localbitcoins and well, the meetup threads on this forum). Intersango doesn't take US dollars anymore, and I don't like mtgox. Dwolla scares the crap out of me. My bank charges $25 in wire transfer fees, so bitinstant is pretty much the cheapest option for me.

Every week, I stop at my local CVS to use the moneygram service. The clerks are getting used to me showing up and doing the transaction. I'm the only patron of the store who uses the moneygram service, at all. I know their system inside and out, to the point where I can tell a new clerk how to do the transfers. The ladybytes video, http://vimeo.com/44849463,  is pretty accurate. If she wasn't half-naked, I'd recommend it to more people.

The past two transactions are different. When entering the info into the dialpad of the red moneygram phone, as soon as you punch in 9611 for zipzap, the automated system transfers you to a human. In the past, this wasn't the case. The human requires a name, address, and phone number. They will not continue the transaction without this info. The name/address must match their database of valid name/address combinations. I've tried to give a post office box in the style of an apartment or office suite (like 123 main street #4839), and they say "that is a po box, we need a real address sir".  I bought a pre-paid phone with cash and use a friend's work address with permission.  

The rest of the moneygram phone call completes and I'm told to go to the cashier.

At the cashier, regardless of transfer amount, I'm asked for photo ID. They will not continue unless I give an ID.  The ID doesn't have to match the transfer detail. They do compare it to the transfer details, but don't scan it, don't write anything down, and don't seem to care. The system prompts them for an ID, so they ask for an ID. My photo ID doesn't match the transfer details. Once I had to explain that I'm sending it to work to help out a friend (which is 90% true). I leave out "help out a friend get bitcoins."

After I show ID, I pay the cash, get a receipt and confirmation from moneygram, and all is done. Minutes later my mobile wallet bings with bitcoins.

The process works, and bitinstant does its job well. The demand for ID and wasting time talking to the moneygram people are getting old and disturbing.

Granted, two is not a trend yet (three is a trend), but I suspect next week will be the same.

[Stephen Gornick]

If she wasn't half-naked, I'd recommend it to more people.

I've been reluctant to direct others to that video as well.   I just shrugged innocently when I was asked about that spiral mask thingy she wears.

At the cashier, regardless of transfer amount, I'm asked for photo ID. They will not continue unless I give an ID.

That's bogus!

Here's what the AML Compliance Guide from Moneygram says:

Before completing a Send and / or Receive of $900 or more, you must obtain and record the customer’s government issued photo ID.

So if your transfer was under $900, they weren't required by Moneygram to check your ID.

You might print out pages 1 and 7 of the guide to show them.  Maybe that will help the clerk "remember" instances where they don't need to collect ID.

 - http://www.moneygram.com/WCM/groups/mgicorp_content/documents/content/mgicorp_moneylegal_region1_209.pdf

[freeAgent]

At the cashier, regardless of transfer amount, I'm asked for photo ID. They will not continue unless I give an ID.

That's bogus!

Here's what the AML Compliance Guide from Moneygram says:

Before completing a Send and / or Receive of $900 or more, you must obtain and record the customer’s government issued photo ID.

So if your transfer was under $900, they weren't required by Moneygram to check your ID.

You might print out pages 1 and 7 of the guide to show them.  Maybe that will help the clerk "remember" instances where they don't need to collect ID.

 - http://www.moneygram.com/WCM/groups/mgicorp_content/documents/content/mgicorp_moneylegal_region1_209.pdf

Yeah, that's definitely bogus.  I've used Moneygram at Wal-Mart and they didn't need my ID.

[teamhugs]

That's bogus!

Here's what the AML Compliance Guide from Moneygram says:

Before completing a Send and / or Receive of $900 or more, you must obtain and record the customer’s government issued photo ID.

So if your transfer was under $900, they weren't required by Moneygram to check your ID.

You might print out pages 1 and 7 of the guide to show them.  Maybe that will help the clerk "remember" instances where they don't need to collect ID.

 - http://www.moneygram.com/WCM/groups/mgicorp_content/documents/content/mgicorp_moneylegal_region1_209.pdf

I believe it's bogus. However, the clerk/cashier gets a prompt on the screen for "ID required" and will not let them continue until they either hit "ok" or actually view the ID and then hit OK. As they are on camera, they ask for an ID. I guess they don't want to risk their job for some moneygram customer.

[Stephen Gornick]

I believe it's bogus. However, the clerk/cashier gets a prompt on the screen for "ID required" and will not let them continue until they either hit "ok" or actually view the ID and then hit OK. As they are on camera, they ask for an ID. I guess they don't want to risk their job for some moneygram customer.

I'ld be curious to know if being shown page 7 of the guide (which only requires ID for $900 or more) would cause them to make a phone call.  If the software is in error, they won't change it until it is easier for them to change it than to continuously have to field questions as to why they are requiring ID on transfers under $900.

[Yankee (BitInstant)]

At the cashier, regardless of transfer amount, I'm asked for photo ID. They will not continue unless I give an ID.  The ID doesn't have to match the transfer detail. They do compare it to the transfer details, but don't scan it, don't write anything down, and don't seem to care. The system prompts them for an ID, so they ask for an ID. My photo ID doesn't match the transfer details. Once I had to explain that I'm sending it to work to help out a friend (which is 90% true). I leave out "help out a friend get bitcoins."

After I show ID, I pay the cash, get a receipt and confirmation from moneygram, and all is done. Minutes later my mobile wallet bings with bitcoins.

The process works, and bitinstant does its job well. The demand for ID and wasting time talking to the moneygram people are getting old and disturbing.

Hi,

I has wished you email or call us before making more transfers.

You are not required to show ID at the Moneygram location.

Please call us next time you are at the location and they are giving you a hard time. 1-716-718-4846

I repeat: You are not required to show ID at the Moneygram location.

Call us

-Charlie

[teamhugs]

I has wished you email or call us before making more transfers.

You are not required to show ID at the Moneygram location.

Please call us next time you are at the location and they are giving you a hard time. 1-716-718-4846

I repeat: You are not required to show ID at the Moneygram location.

I felt the problem is with moneygram and CVS, not bitinstant. I purposely avoided putting your name in the post until I had to do so.

CVS requires the ID, moneygram does not. Moneygram does not require the ID, but leaves it optional for the vendor to require an ID, according to Moneygram customer service. Technically, Moneygram is not requiring ID, but CVS does. I'm unable to get either Moneygram or CVS to commit to something in writing (email).

[teamhugs]

CVS requires the ID, moneygram does not. Moneygram does not require the ID, but leaves it optional for the vendor to require an ID, according to Moneygram customer service. Technically, Moneygram is not requiring ID, but CVS does. I'm unable to get either Moneygram or CVS to commit to something in writing (email).

For what it is worth, I have emailed MoneyGram customer support, provided the details of the transaction, including their kiosk ID. I'll post something if/when I receive a response.

[Yankee (BitInstant)]

I has wished you email or call us before making more transfers.

You are not required to show ID at the Moneygram location.

Please call us next time you are at the location and they are giving you a hard time. 1-716-718-4846

I repeat: You are not required to show ID at the Moneygram location.

I felt the problem is with moneygram and CVS, not bitinstant. I purposely avoided putting your name in the post until I had to do so.

CVS requires the ID, moneygram does not. Moneygram does not require the ID, but leaves it optional for the vendor to require an ID, according to Moneygram customer service. Technically, Moneygram is not requiring ID, but CVS does. I'm unable to get either Moneygram or CVS to commit to something in writing (email).

Got it, I appreciate your sensitivity and knowledge of this matter 

Moneygram told us that while they don't require it, some agent locations can ask for it...there is no way for Moneygram to enforce it.

[teamhugs]

For what it is worth, I have emailed MoneyGram customer support, provided the details of the transaction, including their kiosk ID. I'll post something if/when I receive a response.

And here is MoneyGram's official response:

Dear Customer,

Thank you for contacting MoneyGram International.

While sending a MoneyGram transaction from a CVS location, sender's ID information is required regardless of the transaction amount. We apologize if this may have caused any inconvenience to you.

Regards,

Specialist, Global Complaints
MoneyGram International

[teamhugs]

Moneygram told us that while they don't require it, some agent locations can ask for it...there is no way for Moneygram to enforce it.

Maybe it's time to build a verified list of locations which require ID or not.

[thebaron]

Go to Walmart and fill out the blue form. Faster then using that damned phone, them wanting my ID, and dealing with clueless clerks.

[J.Socal]

Or trade in cash..