Don't feel dumb at all, Atwhatcost.
You asked perfectly reasonable questions and different places have many different requirements. Many places don't require a test question. It may have changed, but in some places, you can pick up the money without an ID as long as you can answer the test question correctly. But in other places, it will require both.
For example, I know that "back in my day", Arizona was seen as a "high risk" state for drug-related transactions, so sending or receiving money to or from AZ had all kinds of additional requirements that were not necessary for other locations.
So, it's actually always best to check beforehand so that you'll know what you need for the transaction--and what your recipient will need as well.
P.S. It's pretty amazing that you were able to get your money back in most cases of being scammed. I can't think of anyone in all the time I worked with Western Union transfers who was so lucky.
You asked perfectly reasonable questions and different places have many different requirements. Many places don't require a test question. It may have changed, but in some places, you can pick up the money without an ID as long as you can answer the test question correctly. But in other places, it will require both.
For example, I know that "back in my day", Arizona was seen as a "high risk" state for drug-related transactions, so sending or receiving money to or from AZ had all kinds of additional requirements that were not necessary for other locations.
So, it's actually always best to check beforehand so that you'll know what you need for the transaction--and what your recipient will need as well.
P.S. It's pretty amazing that you were able to get your money back in most cases of being scammed. I can't think of anyone in all the time I worked with Western Union transfers who was so lucky.
