Show me the money, Google Adsense!

I was ecstatic when I FINALLY saw my Google Adsense earnings reaching the US$100 threshold. After monetizing my blog for 3 years, it’s time to reap the benefits BUT I can’t withdraw my money!!!

Since I’m not in Malaysia, I decided to go for Western Union Quick Cash (free and payment available the next day). Payment was issued late April, which was around the time I discovered I was pregnant

Early one morning in May, (with visions of buying a new toy for the toddler, baby clothes or women’s shoes) an excited Mummy walked down to one of the many banks in China offering Western Union Quick Cash.

With my passport, Money Control Transfer Number (MTCN No.) and Google’s address in hand, a really helpful bank officer helped me fill in the ‘International Money Transfer Receive Form’.

When my turn came, I waited with bated breath as the teller punched in the keys, referred to my passport and then replied something in Chinese. Oops, a problem??!!!

The bank officer came over to translate and then told me there’s no money. That can’t be correct – I’d waited a week later to withdraw (to give Google Adsense time, just in case).

Seeing my expression, the bank officer asked the teller to try again – the result: The Money Control Transfer Number (MTCN No.) was invalid.

Last week, I visited the bank again and again, I’m given the same answer. According to Google Adsense payments guide,

# Western Union Quick Cash:
If you are not able to pick up your Western Union payment, it is possible that it has expired. Western Union payments need to be picked up within 60 days after they are issued. If you don’t pick up your payment within 60 days, your earnings will be credited back to your account and your payments will be put on hold.

Great! After waiting for 3 long years,

• I can’t withdraw my very first Adsense payment,
• My first Adsense payment will also be put on hold (by June 30),
• Nobody’s responded on the Adsense forums and
• I can’t get pass that ‘Contact Adsense support team’ questionnaire because there is NO option for invalid MTCN.

Looks like I can only let the payment go on hold (and finally get in touch with a human at Google) because:

“To release the hold, sign in to your account and visit your Payment History page. There, you’ll see a Required Action box – click the Please contact AdSense Support link within and explain your situation. We’ll then remove the payment hold from your account.”

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