Challenges with Using Wise for International Transactions
From personal experience, my attempt to use Wise for international transactions ended in disappointment and financial loss. Although Wise is known for its competitive exchange rates and low fees for sending and receiving money internationally, it does not support certain countries for receiving funds, including mine. I attempted to circumvent these geographical restrictions by using an international bank card issued by my home country, along with a VPN. Despite successfully depositing an amount of 21.7 euros, I quickly learned that this approach would ultimately lead to more frustration than solutions.
The Limitations of VPNs and Residency Verification
My experience highlighted significant limitations in utilizing a VPN to bypass Wise's geographical restrictions. Even though I was using a VPN on both my PC and mobile devices, which should have masked my IP address and allowed me to access services from a different location, Wise implements strong algorithms that swiftly detect and flag irregular activity. Specifically, Wise requires proof of residency to verify accounts, including documents such as a passport or residence permit. My attempts to provide a passport (residence card on in french carte de séjour) from a neighboring country, Austria, were unproductive, as Wise’s verification processes are adept at identifying counterfeit documents, preventing access to my funds and account.
Advice Against Unconventional Methods
Given my negative experience, I strongly advise against using tricks or unconventional methods to work with Wise or set up WooCommerce on WordPress for accepting payments. While it may be tempting to try and bypass restrictions, the risk far outweighs any potential benefits. Not only did I face financial loss and the loss of access to my funds, but the stress and time spent trying to resolve these issues disrupted my personal and business activities. Ultimately, it's better to seek legitimate channels for financial services that align with your country's regulations and capabilities, rather than risking your finances and peace of mind by attempting to manipulate systems that are difficult to navigate.
