The 702 SW 8th St charge is from a Western Union location in Portland, Oregon

If you see a charge from 702 SW 8th St on your credit card statement, it came from a Western Union office at that address in downtown Portland. Western Union is a money transfer service — the charge means either you sent money through that location, or someone used your card details to do so without your permission.

The amount and date on your statement will tell you which. If you recognise the transaction, you can ignore it. If you don't, you have a fraud claim to make with your card issuer, and the steps are straightforward.

Key Takeaways

  • 702 SW 8th St is a Western Union location in Portland, Oregon, so the charge is a money transfer sent from that office.
  • If you didn't authorise the transfer, contact your credit card company within 60 days to report it as fraud.
  • Your card issuer will reverse the charge while they investigate, usually within two billing cycles.
  • Western Union can also help trace the transfer if you report it to them directly, though your card company's dispute process is faster.
  • Changing your card number and reviewing your credit report for other fraudulent activity protects you while the dispute is open.

How to report the charge as fraud to your card issuer

Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card. Tell them the date and amount of the 702 SW 8th St charge and that you did not authorise it. They will ask whether you recognise the merchant (Western Union) and whether your card was lost or stolen. Answer honestly — if your card is still in your possession, they may ask whether anyone else had access to it.

The card company will open a dispute and issue you a temporary credit while they investigate. This usually takes 5 to 10 business days. You do not need to pay the disputed amount while the investigation is open. Keep the case number they give you and write down the name of the representative you spoke to.

The full investigation typically closes within 60 days. If the card company finds the charge was fraudulent, the temporary credit becomes permanent and your account is closed. If they find you authorised it, the charge stays and you owe it.

What happens if someone used your card to send money

Western Union transfers are difficult to reverse once the money has been picked up. If the recipient has already collected the funds, your card company cannot recover them — they can only reverse the charge to your account. This is why reporting fraud quickly matters: Western Union can sometimes stop a transfer before pickup if you contact them within hours.

If you report the fraud to Western Union directly (by calling 1-800-448-1492 or visiting a location), give them the reference number from your statement if you have it. They can tell you whether the money was picked up and, in rare cases, hold it if it hasn't been. However, your card company's dispute process is your stronger legal protection, so prioritise that call first.

Protecting yourself while the dispute is open

Ask your card issuer to cancel your current card and issue a new one with a different number. This stops anyone with your old card details from making another charge. The new card usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

Check your credit report for other fraudulent accounts or inquiries. You can view your report free once per year at annualcreditreport.com. If you see other suspicious activity, place a fraud alert with the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) by contacting one of them — they notify the others automatically. A fraud alert makes it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name.

How the charge appeared on your statement

Western Union reports transactions to card networks using the merchant category code for money transfer services. On your statement, it will show as "WESTERN UNION" or "WU" followed by the location address or a reference number. Some card issuers also display the city and state (Portland, OR) to help you identify it.

If you see multiple charges from 702 SW 8th St or other Western Union locations on the same statement, report all of them in a single dispute. This speeds up the investigation and signals to your card company that your account may have been compromised for a longer period.

When the charge is legitimate but you forgot about it

If you sent money through that Western Union location yourself — to pay a bill, send funds to family, or for another reason — the charge is valid and you owe it. Western Union charges a fee for the transfer on top of the amount sent, so the total charge will be higher than the money you transferred.

You can contact Western Union to confirm the details of the transfer (the amount, recipient, and date) by calling 1-800-448-1492 or visiting their website. They can also help you track whether the recipient has picked up the money.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my money back if the charge is fraud?

Your card issuer will credit your account temporarily within 5 to 10 business days. The full investigation takes up to 60 days. If fraud is confirmed, the temporary credit becomes permanent. If the investigation finds the charge was authorised, you owe the amount and it will be charged back to your account.

Can I stop the money transfer if I just saw the charge?

If the money has already been picked up by the recipient, it cannot be stopped. Call Western Union at 1-800-448-1492 when ready to check the status. If it hasn't been picked up, they may be able to cancel it. Regardless, report the fraud to your card company — they can reverse the charge to your account even if the money cannot be recovered.

What if I don't recognise Western Union but the charge is small?

Report it anyway. Small fraudulent charges are sometimes test transactions — scammers use them to confirm a stolen card works before making larger charges. Disputing it now prevents bigger fraud later. Your card company handles the investigation at no cost to you.

Will my new card number work when ready?

Your new card usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Your old card stops working once the new one is activated. If you have recurring charges set to your old card (subscriptions, utilities), update them with your new number before the old card expires to avoid missed payments.

Do I need to file a police report for credit card fraud?

No, but you can. A police report is not required to dispute the charge with your card company. However, if the fraud is part of identity theft or a larger crime, filing a report creates an official record. You can file online through your local police department's website or in person at a station.