Western Union has taken of 451st position in the rating Fortune 500 in 2009, having moved from 473rd line in 2008. Leaving the idea of expansion into Europe, Western Union took up the expansion of services in the U.S. market. Each money transfer is protected with control number, that allows you to track and to ensure prompt payment of money specified by you person. In October 2006 the company made an initial public offering of shares on the New York Stock Exchange, becoming independent from First Data company. In 1879 Western Union left the telephone business after losing a lawsuit against Alexander Graham Bell - the patent holder on the phone. In 1856, in 7 years after the foundation of New York State Printing Telegraph Company, the company changed its name to Western Union Telegraph Company.