Western Union offers aid to Katrina's victims

DENVER - Western Union Financial Services Inc., a subsidiary of First Data Corp., announced in a Sept. 1 news release that it is taking an active role in providing immediate relief to the people most affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Effective Sept. 2 and extending through Sept. 30, Western Union is reducing its current service fees by 50 percent on Western Union Money In Minutes transactions sent from within the U.S. to Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama.

Western Union also has established a special, no-transfer fee service for U.S. consumers who wish to help by sending donations directly to the American Red Cross.

Just as other individuals and businesses have been impacted by the hurricane, several Western Union Agent locations have also experienced damage. In some cases, locations may be temporarily closed. In these instances, Western Union is working diligently to restore service to agents in areas affected by Katrina.