How to send money to someone without a bank account

Are you fretting about sending money to someone without a bank account and can't find a workaround? Don't worry. You are not alone. As per the World Bank (2018), over 30%1 of the world population doesn't have a bank account.

In fact, in many countries, no more than 15% of the locals2 have a bank account, and in the United States, 5.4% of the households3 are underbanked.

There can be several reasons why a person chooses to manage their transactions without a bank. It could have to do with a lack of banking services, doubts about the integrity of financial services, and refusal to meet balance requirements and associated costs, etc.

So what are the alternatives when you must transfer money to them even though they can't give you an account number?

Fortunately, there are several secure and affordable ways to send money to them.

Here is a round-up of the most efficient ways of sending money without using a bank account, so your loved ones receive the funds safely and securely.

Money orders

Money orders are a popular way to transfer money to someone without a bank account. This method uses the postal service to send the money. A money order mimics and is somewhat similar to checks. The main difference is that it doesn't necessitate a bank account for the receiving party.

You need to visit your nearest post office, complete a money order form, record, and punch in your recipient's details like their address and name. It may incur standard post office charges, which are generally nominal.

In the United States, when you send the money, the recipient needs to visit the post office to get the cash. The recipients are required to show the money order and validate their identity. Then the office sends the verified money order to your recipient, and they can use it to collect their money in cash.

In addition to postal service offices, some retail outlets and even gas stations may also help you send money orders. The process is simple – the sender needs to pay the money with the standard charges accordingly at the office. They hand you over the money order. The recipient can get the money order cashed once they have it.

Using money orders for transferring cash is easy. You can do it at the local post offices, gas stations, pharmacies, grocery stores, and leading retailers like Walmart. And the receiving party doesn’t need a bank account to cash one.

To prepare a money order and send it, visit the nearest retailer or post office and purchase a money order for the amount you want to transfer, using debit, cash, or a traveler's check. Show your ID proof and fill out the necessary form for the money order. You can then mail the money order to your beneficiary.

There are different limits on the amount of money order you can prepare and purchase in a day. Your recipient can get the money order at banks, credit unions, banks, and other stores. They will need to verify their identity, sign the received money order and cash it at the counter.

Following is the fee structure when it comes to sending money orders.

• Sender’s cost. $1 - $2
• Recipient's cost. A certain percentage of the transferred fund or a few dollars
• Amount limit. Usually, it is $1,000 for every money order in the U.S. and $700 for every international transfer

Prepaid cards

Prepaid cards are another common and efficient instrument that helps you send money to family and friends without bank accounts. You can get these cards from financial institutions and banks without requiring an account.

Instead, these cards are preloaded with money, and the recipient can use them like a debit card. You can find prepaid cards at several retail outlets or even purchase them online.

Essentially, the costs to get a prepaid card and transfer money can vary depending on your chosen seller. It may incur you a few dollars, or it may be for free. Also, you can reload the card for a preset balance and fee limits at the time of purchase.

Furthermore, the charges also depend on the currency you transfer from and into and the service provider you select as your operator. Sending money through prepaid card services usually takes around a day or two for issuance. Once you have the balance on your card, you can load money instantaneously.

Leveraging prepaid cards for sending money is the most accessible alternative. You simply pay for the amount you want inside the card, enabling you to transfer funds. Load the funds, and once you have them in your prepaid card, your recipient can easily withdraw cash. For the next transaction, you can top up your account balance.

The prepaid card can be used to transfer funds and establish direct deposits. It's possible to manage the account balance via a mobile application – you can do all this without having a bank account.

The usual balance and fees limits associated with prepaid cards are as follows:

• Sender's cost. $0 - $5
• Recipient's cost. Withdrawal or monthly fees
• Balance limit. Around $2,500 - $20,000

Money transfer agents

Another great alternative to transfer funds without a bank account is doing it through a money transfer agent. If you want to send money, a credible agent can help you with it. The receiver can retrieve the cash in person from specific collection points.

However, you need to make sure that your transaction is as secure and safe as possible to avoid scams. Some agents provide you a pin code that you need to share with your recipient, so they are easily able to get it from their nearest local outlet pick-up point, depending on their location.

Fees associated with the money transferring agents depend on the provider you opt for and their conduct.

Many people go with money transferring agents when it comes to sending money without bank accounts. You create transactions, and the receiver can collect from physical branches all over the world. Funds transferred through an agent are an easy, affordable, and convenient option.

Dependable and trusted BOSS Revolution agents operate in more than 25 states to help your recipients effortlessly collect the money in cash. After all, it is imperative to make sure that your transactions are secured, especially when dealing with large amounts of money.

With BOSS Revolution, you can use their store locator to find the nearest branch and agents to transfer money in a feasible way.

Sending money from the United States to your family and friends overseas is simple than ever with Boss Revolution. Your recipients can collect money without having a bank account, and the funds are available to them within minutes.

Digital wallet

Creating an e-wallet is by far the cheapest and convenient option to transfer funds. This method doesn't require the sender to have a bank account which comes in handy to send money anywhere across the globe.

An E-Wallet or digital wallet enables you to send money efficiently and allows your recipient to access it immediately. They can withdraw and spend that money instantaneously. Leveraging a digital wallet is quick and free. You can top up your account offline and online through a trusted application or via a bank.

Usually, this method is for free. However, it highly depends on your chosen provider and the account type that you open with them. To carry out a free transaction, it is vital for both the parties, i.e., the beneficiary and the sender, to have an active e-wallet account by the same provider.

Various companies offer apps to facilitate digital wallet money transfers, including Venmo, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, Stripe, WePay, and many more.

Even though digital wallets are generally free to use, additional charges may apply when leveraging value-added features like paying via credit cards or expedited transfers. So, the pricing structure for mobile wallets differs from provider to provider and their offerings.

Transferring money to a receiver who has an account with a different provider will most likely incur additional charges. You can send money without a bank account in multiple currencies, but there is a foreign exchange rate fee if the money is not in the same currency as yours.

Applications

Money transfer applications are mobile-powered apps that enable you to transfer funds seamlessly. These online money-sending mobile applications don't require a bank account and make it incredibly easy to share, send and access money at all times.

Due to their convenience, transparency, and security, people have embraced money transfer applications, especially if they want to conduct money transactions without a bank account.

Mobile applications for transferring cash can help you carry out transactions securely and promptly. It significantly simplifies payments and withdrawals by providing a digital avenue. The process of sending money through online funds transferring applications is pretty basic.

All you need to do is download the app, link your card or bank details, and you can transfer the money with just a few taps. However, before you download any online money transfer app and link your confidential information, it is crucial to research and ensure its authenticity and safety.

Your recipients often need to install the application to collect money in cash, mainly in international dealings and transfers. The best money transferring apps have an intuitive and user-friendly interface that effectively guides the user to perform a successful transaction.

Your final decision will eventually depend on your preferences and goals. For instance, if you want additional features such as bitcoin transactions, Cash App may make sense as it offers that too along with easy transfers.

Numerous well-known service providers offer money transfer mobile apps, including Azimo, Western Union, BOSS Revolution, WorldRemit, Facebook Pay, and more.

However, for an all-encompassing money transfer application, you cannot go wrong with BOSS Revolution, which offers a suite of money transfer options and a proven track record with its protection, safety features, and handy tools to streamline the process.

Send money internationally without a bank account

Money transfer apps offer users the ability to transfer money worldwide using multiple currencies in an easy, simple, and hassle-free way.

An authorized and feature-rich money transfer app like BOSS Revolution facilitates you to send money to your loved ones, friends, acquaintances, etc. Without needing you to have a bank account from the United States to more than 50 countries internationally.

With the BOSS Revolution mobile app, you can effortlessly transfer funds anywhere, anytime, with a few clicks, ensuring your confidentiality. Not just that, you can also securely top-up from your smartphone to family and friends anytime.

Furthermore, you can keep a close track of all your transactions with the detailed history of your money transfer payments.

All in all, security continues to be a key concern when it comes to money transfer apps, and BOSS Revolution makes sure that your transactions are secured and protected using a combination of technologies.

Wrapping up

When selecting the most efficient transfer method, consider your recipient's location, the amount you want to transfer, applicable cashing and transfer fees, and how fast you want them to receive cash.

The task of sending money overseas to individuals without a bank account doesn't have to be a daunting one. And thanks to the ever-evolving developments in fintech, users have endless possibilities.

Get familiar with the international money transfer options detailed above. These solutions can make it easier than ever for you to send money to your recipients even if they don't have valid bank accounts within the U.S. or abroad. Some providers also offer door-to-door delivery of cash right at your beneficiary's doorstep.

Sources: all third party information obtained from applicable website as of June 3, 2021

1. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/630671538158537244/pdf/The-World-Bank-Annual-Report-2018.pdf

2. https://www.businessinsider.com/the-worlds-unbanked-population-in-6-charts-2017-8#finally-the-most-common-reason-people-cited-for-not-having-a-bank-account-was-they-did-not-have-enough-money-with-only-4-of-people-saying-the-only-reason-they-ddnt-have-one-was-because-they-didnt-need-one-6

3. https://www.fdic.gov/analysis/household-survey/

This article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to address every aspect of the matters discussed herein. The information in this article is not intended as specific personal advice. The information in this article does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory or other professional advice from IDT Payment Services, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “IDT”), and should not be taken or used as such by any individual. IDT makes no representation, warranty or guaranty, whether express or implied, that the content in this article is current, accurate, or complete. You should obtain professional or other substantive advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the information in this article.