How to Transfer Money and Send Online Payments

I'm a freelance Web designer based in the Philippines, and most of my clients are abroad or foreign, and all transactions are conducted online - from submitting designs to receiving payments.

One of the most commonly asked questions by many of my new clients is how to send payments, and another question commonly asked of me is, "Do you accept PayPal?"

PayPal unfortunately does not include the Philippines in its list of countries. So, as much as we want to use PayPal, we can't. But you can help bring PayPal here to the Philippines by supporting this online petition, PaypalNow.

When asked, "How do I send payments?" the answers I give are through Western Union and through XOOM

Western Union (WU) is the most popular Money Transfer service provider here in the Philippines and I guess around the world as well. Money sent to you through WU can be claimed immediately at any WU Agent/Center in your area. To claim money sent to you through WU you must visit a WU Agent/Center and you will need the following information; Sender's Name, Sender's Address, Sender's Phone, Amount sent to you, MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number).

Actually you only need the MTCN but many WU Agents/Centers requires you those mentioned information. You will also be asked to present proper identification like your driver's license, passport, SSS card, etc.

Advantages that I see in using WU are WU is safe and secure, WU is fast and reliable, WU is known worldwide.

One main disadvantage of WU is the high money transfer fees.