Probe on two Western Union agents in JPanganiban

LSG Pawnshop, an agent of Western Union, which was investigated for allegedly collecting unauthorized fees from clients. – Photo supplied

By ALFREDO P HERNANDEZ

TWO Western Union agents in Jose Panganiban, CamNorte are being investigated by the remittance company for their alleged charging of unauthorized fees on unsuspecting clients.

The two agents – LSG Pawnshop and LSP Pawnshop, both operating in the poblacion – have been accused of charging extra fee on the proceeds of a remittance received by the relatives of the money senders.

MWBuzz learned of the problem and alerted Western Union - South and East Asia Operations on the issue.

After receiving the evidence – copies of the ‘Send’ receipt and ‘Receive” receipt -- Western Union conducted an investigation and is now determining what action to take against the two pawnshops.

A source from Western Union Philippine operations said they have “informed LSP and LSG about the complaint”.

“We have already determined the modus employed by the pawnshop location and are just investigating a step further to cover all bases before I revert to you with the action plans,” he told MWBuzz.

“We will surely call the attention of the owner of the pawnshop. Will not need to separate the approach for the two pawnshops.”

LSG Pawnshop and LSP Pawnshop are reportedly operated by businessperson Susan Galleta of Paracale, CamNorte.

MWBuzz has gathered that a remittance beneficiary who is a resident of Jose Panganiban received money from her husband in Australia on Dec 25, 2011, which was less than the amount sent. 

The money sent was Cad$500 with an equivalent amount of PHP21,186.27, as shown by a copy of the “Send” receipt sent from Canada. The peso proceeds was converted from the Canadian dollar rate used by Western Union on December 24,2011.

The beneficiary claimed the money on December 25, but the amount was only PHP20,294, which was PHP892.27 less.

A copy of the receipts showing the actual amount originally sent in Canadian dollar and the amount actually received was furnished MWbuzz.

The recipient alerted the pawnshop staff about the amount, but was allegedly told it could not be changed anymore as “she has written the receipt already”, for their file.

Meanwhile, a drive to boycott the two pawnshops has snowballed on Facebook  account of a group of Mambulao natives who are based overseas.

The issue was first brought to the municipal government early this year, but so far, no action has been taken by the concerned office.

LSP and LSG are two of the five Western Union agents in Mambulao.