You’re standing at a counter or staring at your phone, and the app just won't load. Or maybe you heard a rumor about another outage. It’s frustrating when you just need to get cash to a family member halfway across the globe. Honestly, the answer to "is MoneyGram working today" isn't always a simple yes or no because it depends on where you are and how you’re trying to send that money.
The current state of MoneyGram systems
Right now, as of January 15, 2026, MoneyGram's core global network is operational. Most users are successfully sending and receiving funds through the mobile app and physical agent locations. However, "working" is a relative term in the world of international finance. While the massive multi-day blackouts that made headlines in late 2024 are a thing of the past, smaller, localized hiccups happen more often than the company likes to admit.
There was a software issue reported earlier this morning involving certain partner integrations—specifically involving Verizon-linked digital portals—but those appear to be resolved for the majority of users. If you’re seeing a "service unavailable" screen, it’s likely not a global collapse.
Why you might think it's down
Sometimes the system is fine, but the "pipes" connecting you to it are clogged. Think about these factors:
- Local Agent Connectivity: A shop in Kingston or a pharmacy in Dallas might have its own internet issues.
- Bank Maintenance: If you’re funding a transfer via a bank account, your bank’s 2:00 AM maintenance window will kill the transaction.
- The New 1% Tax: Starting January 1, 2026, a new federal 1% remittance tax kicked in for certain types of transfers. Some users have reported errors or "processing delays" as the software adjusts to calculating this new fee on the fly.
What really happened with the big outages?
People are still jumpy because of the 2024 cyberattack. That was a mess. Hackers didn't just stop transfers; they actually got away with Social Security numbers and driver’s license data. It took five days to bring things back online.
Because of that, MoneyGram's security protocols are now incredibly aggressive. If the system detects even a slight anomaly, it might "proactively" take a specific server offline. This is good for your data safety, but it’s a pain when you’re trying to pay rent.
Checking the status yourself
Don't just trust the little spinning wheel on your screen. You’ve got better ways to verify the status.
First, check the MoneyGram app specifically. Often, the website might be undergoing maintenance while the app remains perfectly functional. They use different API pathways. If the app is dead, try a browser in "Incognito Mode." This clears out old cache files that might be tricking you into seeing an old error page.
Second, look at regional advisories. For instance, the Bank of Jamaica often issues specific alerts if their local MoneyGram primary agents are having trouble. If a central bank says the service is down in your country, no amount of app-restarting will fix it.
Common error codes to watch for
If you see Error 14696, that’s usually a receiver-side issue, not a system-wide crash. It basically means the receive code or the agent ID isn't matching up.
Another common one is the "Transaction Canceled" notification immediately after hitting send. This usually isn't an outage. Instead, it's the compliance engine. Since the DOJ settlements and the $115 million victim compensation disbursements, MoneyGram’s "Red Flag" system is on high alert. If you’re sending to a new recipient or a high-risk region, the system might auto-cancel the transaction for a manual review.
👉 See also: Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Why Most Startups Actually Fail (and How to Not Be One of Them)
Actionable steps if you're stuck
If MoneyGram isn't working for you right now, do these three things in this exact order:
- Toggle your connection. Switch from Wi-Fi to cellular data. Believe it or not, many "outages" are actually just local IP address blocks or DNS issues with home internet providers.
- Verify the "Receive Code." If you're paying child support or a government fee, ensure the ARP ID (Agency Related Person ID) is current. These change, and using an old one will trigger a system rejection.
- Check the 1% Tax calculation. Ensure your total "Send" amount includes enough to cover the new 2026 federal remittance tax plus the standard MoneyGram fee. If your account balance is exactly the amount of the transfer, the transaction will fail because it can't cover the tax.
If you’ve done all that and the screen is still blank, it’s probably a genuine localized server outage. In those cases, the best move is to wait exactly one hour. These micro-outages are usually patched within a 60-minute window.
Don't forget to keep your "Reference Number" handy. If the money left your bank but the system crashed before giving you a confirmation, that number—often found in your pending bank transactions—is your only lifeline with customer service.
Verify with your local agent
If the app is failing, call a physical location near you. If their "blue screen" (the terminal they use) is working, the problem is just with the consumer-facing app. You can still do the transfer the old-fashioned way with cash at the counter.