Western Union has taken of 451st position in the rating Fortune 500 in 2009, having moved from 473rd line in 2008. 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. Payment systems are one of basic elements of infrastructure of e-commerce. You do not need to open a bank account, so you can send or receive money in any of the 170 000 service points of Western Union around the world. In 1933, by the Western Union Company were invented "singing telegrams". In 1879 Western Union left the telephone business after losing a lawsuit against Alexander Graham Bell - the patent holder on the phone.