Did you know that it is possible to send money without having a bank account? The lack of access to financial services is a problem that impacts the quality of life of thousands of immigrant workers in the United States.
According to a recent survey, the rate of the Latino community in the United States without a bank account dropped from 15% to 10% in the last two years. However, it remains elevated compared to the national average of 4.5%.
Although having a bank account makes it easier to carry out financial transactions, such as transfers, payments in physical stores and online purchases, today there are alternatives that allow you to access banking services without an account.
Below, you will discover how to transfer money from one card to another without an app or bank account, as well as the safest and easiest methods at your disposal.
Send money online
The lack of a U.S. bank account is not an obstacle to sending money in and out of the country, as there are widely popular methods for immigrant workers to send remittances and make other transactions through prepaid cards and cash payments.
International money transfer providers
It is one of the most popular ways to send money without a bank account, due to the accessibility and variety of payment methods and the wide coverage that is usually offered.
International money transfer providers are companies that specialize in facilitating the transfer of money from one country to another. The most important features of these services are:
- Specialization in international money transfers, unlike traditional banks, which have limitations: high commissions, unfavorable exchange rates, long delivery times and involvement of intermediaries that increase costs.
- More affordable rates
- Various shipping methods
- Multiple money transfer locations
How to send money without a bank account through an international remittance platform?
Comun allows you to send money to your loved ones for a low transfer fee of $2.99 USD up to the applicable limits. It's very easy, just follow the steps below:
- Open your Comun account, it only takes a few minutes!
- Choose the most convenient delivery method for your recipient, such as cash pickup at a physical store like Oxxo, Grupo Elektra, 7 Eleven and more.
- You can also send the money directly to a bank and pick it up at one of its branches.
- Track delivery directly in your Comun mobile application
Comun is an excellent option for our community because it provides service in Spanish, which is highly valued by the immigrant community. Open your account today and start sending money without hassle.
What information do you need to send money without a bank account?
To send money without a bank account, you only need the following information from your recipient:
- Recipient's full name, as it appears on the recipient's official identification card
- Recipient's telephone number
In case of sending to a bank account, you will also need:
- Address of your recipient
- Bank account number, depending on the receiving country
P2P Services
P2P(peer to peer ) services allow you to send money immediately from one individual to another without the need for intermediaries. These options facilitate everyday needs, such as paying rent or other shared services, sharing transportation expenses, and also sending money to family members in the U.S. or internationally.
How to send money without a card through P2P services?
- Choose a reliable provider, such as Cash App or Venmo.
- Enter the recipient's phone number in the mobile application
- Confirm the transaction and follow up
Send money by mail
There are other alternatives that involve sending a cashier's check, certified check or money order through the postal service.
Cashier's Check
This is a type of check that is issued with funds from the bank. The customer must pay in cash or directly from his account and the check is made payable to the recipient.
Certified Check
The check is issued with customer funds. The sender must have a bank account in order for the bank to perform a funds verification. The recipient can withdraw the cash directly at a bank branch.
Money order
Another alternative to send money without a bank account is to make a money order, which is a kind of prepaid money order. To do this, all you need is:
- Go to an authorized post office or store, such as USPS or Walmart, to purchase a money order.
- Write the name of the payee in the "pay payable to" section of the document.
- Write your name in the "buyer" section.
- Sign in the space designated for the buyer, generally on the front of the document.
- Save the receipt with the serial number
- Pay the amount to be shipped plus the applicable commission
- Send the money order by regular or certified mail.
- Write the addressee's address in the center of the envelope and the sender's address in the upper left corner.
- Buy a stamp at a post office and affix it to the envelope.
- Depositing the envelope at the post office
The recipient may cash the money order at an authorized branch with his or her personal identification.
The disadvantage of this alternative is that it takes longer to arrive, because it uses a traditional shipping method.
Send money with balance surcharge
There are other options available to send money without a bank account, such as prepaid cards and mobile applications.
Reloadable Prepaid Cards
Reloadable prepaid cards work similar to a debit card, except that they are not linked to a bank account. In addition, they allow you to pay for services and make online purchases.
To send money through a prepaid card, you only need:
- Know an international prepaid card shipping service, such as Western Union or Money Gram.
- Select the provider of your choice and choose the prepaid card option through their website.
- Enter the recipient's data, first make sure that they are compatible with the selected platform.
- Accept shipment and make the payment plus commission
That's it! The recipient will receive the money on the prepaid card as if it were a bank transfer.
Mobile Wallets/Applications (Mobile Wallets)
Finally, you can opt for wallets or mobile appswith a money sending option. Some examples are Cash App, Venmo and Remitly, which give you access to a mobile app that you can use to send money to other users and also to receive it.
In addition to not requiring a bank account, these applications have the benefit of being easy to use. Some also provide physical cards that work similar to debit cards.
7 essential tips for sending money without a bank account
1. Verify the identity and data of the recipient.
Make sure you enter the correct information for the person you want to send the money to, whether it is name, account number or phone number. If there are any discrepancies, your recipient may have trouble collecting the cash.
2. Compare rates and exchange rates
Each provider has its own fees, depending on the receiving country, amount and exchange rate. Remember that with Comun you do not have to pay excessive commissions, and you ensure that your family receives more for less.
3. Know the shipping limits
There are platforms that have sending limits, so you should take them into account before choosing an option. For example, Western Union has a limit of 7,499 USD per day, while Cash App allows up to 7,500 per week for verified accounts.
4. Keep all receipts and reference numbers.
Although all of these methods are secure, it is important that you keep your receipts and reference numbers in case a clarification is needed or a mishap occurs.
5. Use reputable and secure services
It is very important that you make sure you use a reliable service. For this you can check online reviews and make sure they have a website and/or physical offices.
6. Be wary of scams.
Unfortunately, scams are common around financial services. Remember that no serious institution will ask you for passwords or verification data. Make sure you always log on to official sites. If in doubt, go to an authorized branch.
7. Consider the delivery time
Most options will allow you to complete your shipments in a matter of minutes, but sometimes it can take several days. Keep this in mind before shipping with your preferred service.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to send money without a bank account?
Of course, Comun is backed by leading financial institutions to protect your money up to the applicable limits. In addition, you can track your shipment directly in Comun's mobile app.
How much does it cost to send money without a bank account?
Comun offers you a flat rate of 2.99 USD, regardless of the amount you send up to the applicable limits, and your first shipment is commission-free!
How long does it take for the money to arrive?
Cash takes approximately 1 hour to arrive at the selected store or bank branch.
What documents do I need to send/receive money without an account?
You need your recipient's full name and he/she must present an official identification.
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