Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about the SafeSend® service from Bank of America.

What is SafeSend?

SafeSend is a free feature that can be added to any Bank of America personal checking account. It allows customers in the United States to send money to friends and family in Mexico. With SafeSend, customers can send money for free to loved ones in Mexico by phone 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern Time.

In Mexico, the recipient will be able to pick up cash at more than 3,600 paying agents throughout the country through Banco Santander, Bansefi, L@ Red de la Gente and TELECOMM-TELÉGRAFOS.

How does SafeSend work?

Signing up is easy. Just open a Bank of America personal checking account and have one of our associates add this feature to your account. SafeSend offers you the convenience of sending money with a simple phone call, and if we receive your instructions by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on a weekday (except Mexican holidays), your loved ones can usually receive cash the same day at paying agent locations throughout Mexico by presenting a valid ID and the authorization code.

Are there fees associated with SafeSend?

There are no fees associated with SafeSend. SafeSend is a free feature of a Bank of America personal checking account. There is no annual or monthly fee to keep the remittance service available. There is also no transfer fee when sending money to loved ones in Mexico.

Are there ATM fees associated with SafeSend?

SafeSend is no longer a card, so there are no longer ATM fees associated with this service. Recipients will be able to pick up cash at 4,500 locations throughout Mexico or have their funds deposited directly to an account.

Will recipients be charged any withdrawal fees?

No, recipients will not be charged any withdrawal fees.

How soon is the money available?

Money is usually available at the paying agent within 2 hours if the transfer is sent before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a weekday that is not a Mexican holiday. Otherwise, the money will usually be available on the next business day, based on the paying agent hours of operation.

Do I have to have an account with Bank of America to use SafeSend?

Yes. You need to have a personal checking account with Bank of America to use the SafeSend service.

Is there a minimum that can be transferred with SafeSend?

There is no minimum amount that needs to be sent to Mexico with SafeSend.

Is there a maximum that can be transferred with SafeSend?

The maximum that can be transferred at one time is $1,500 dollars. Additionally, there is a maximum of $3,000 dollars that can be sent in a 30-day period.

Is there a limit to the number of transfers that I can make per SafeSend account?

You can make a maximum of three remittances per 30-day period.

What are the hours of operations for the call centers to take remittance instructions?

Call centers will take SafeSend remittance instructions 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern Time. Customers can call the telephone number listed on the checking account statement.

How are funds delivered to recipients in Mexico?

SafeSend recipients can pick up cash throughout Mexico from Santander, Bansefi and L@ Red de la Gente, Telecomm Telegrafos, and (effective in November) Banorte. Santander customers can have cash transferred directly into their accounts.

What do recipients need to collect funds in Mexico?

SafeSend recipients will simply need a form of identification, such as a voter’s registration card, license or passport, and their SafeSend authorization code given to them by the sender.

What personal information must I provide? Must I be a U.S. citizen?

To enroll in SafeSend, you must be 18 years old or older, and must have a Bank of America personal checking account. You are not required to be a U.S. citizen. Bank of America accepts the Mexican Consulate ID as a primary form of identification for customers who are cashing checks and opening new accounts (when presented with a secondary form of ID).

Will Bank of America accept a Mexican Consulate ID card as a form of identification?

Bank of America accepts the Mexican Consulate ID as a primary form of identification for customers who are cashing checks and opening new accounts (when presented with a secondary form of ID).

If I have a SafeSend Transfer Card, what must I do to use the new service?

If I have a SafeSend Transfer Card, what will happen to my account?

Existing card-based SafeSend accounts will be closed by October 31, 2005, and cards will no longer work.

What happens if any funds remain in my SafeSend Transfer Card account?

If you maintain a balance in your SafeSend Transfer Card account, the amount left will be converted to U.S. dollars at our then current exchange rate and refunded to you by check.

If my loved one in Mexico has the SafeSend Transfer Card, what do I need to tell them regarding the changes to my account?

You should inform your loved one that they should withdraw or utilize all funds available in their SafeSend Transfer Card before October 31, 2005, and to destroy the SafeSend Transfer Card, as it will no longer work.