Western Union Scam. They can't verify your phone, but take your money for up to 8 days! Internet, Internet

I learned something today. I will never use Western Union again. I tried to wire $200.00 to a friend in need. Their online form took $222.00 from my credit card but then said I had to call a rep to complete the transaction.

I called and a rep stated they had to verify my identity via my phone #. I gave them my publicly listed Qwest phone # and he said they couldn't verify my identity. I gave him a second phone # publicly listed via Vonage.

Again he stated that their "3rd party" verification company couldn't verify my identity so they could not complete my transaction. He also stated that they will refund the money to my card. In contacting my credit card company they said Western Union could take up to eight days to process the refund.

Since when can a company charge you for services, fail to render those services, and get to keep your money for up to eight days? How many millions of dollars is Western Union ripping consumers off with this scam?

Western Union should be investigated for consumer fraud!