Dear Editor

On a recent, short trip to New Zealand, my husband sent me a few hundred dollars via Western Union from Samoa for a specific purchase. He emailed me the ‘secret number’ so I could claim this money at a W.U. office and in addition, I took with me my passport and Samoan driver’s license as additional I.D. 

Imagine my surprise when I was denied my money. 

The reason given was that my name on my driver’s license was a shortened version of my full name eg Sue for Susan. This was despite the fact the photographs, dates of birth etc matched perfectly.

And of course I had the ‘secret number’ which turned out to be just a waste of time.

My question is do all other money transfer offices follow this ridiculous, over- politically correct practice? 

If you don’t, please respond to this letter as I certainly will not be using Western Union again.

S.M.