Consumer Alert
New deadline for Western Union settlement requests
Did you lose money to a scammer who had you pay using Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017? If so, you can ask for money back from the FTC’s settlement with Western Union. And the deadline to file your claim was just extended to May 31, 2018.
Here’s the deal. Western Union agreed to return $586 million to people to settle the FTC’s charges that Western Union hadn’t adequately protected people from fraud, and didn’t properly discipline problem agents. To get money back, here’s what you need to do by May 31, 2018:
- Start at FTC.gov/WU to file your claim online. If you got a letter in the mail about a complaint you filed earlier, you’ll have a Claim ID and a PIN. Click the blue “I got a pre-filled claim form” button and use those to file your claim. If you didn’t get a letter in the mail, click the orange button that says “I lost money, but did not get a claim form.”
- Give as much information as you can about your loss. Upload any paperwork you have. The Department of Justice, which is handling the claims through their contractor, Gilardi & Co, will use that information to try to validate your Western Union money transfer.
- Yes, you have to give your Social Security number or ITIN to file a claim. Read why here.
- Don’t pay anybody to help you file your claim, or get money back. Anybody who asks you to pay for your claim or refund is scamming you. Tell the FTC.
- Then, be patient. It might take a year for the Department of Justice to validate all the claims and start returning money.
If you have questions, you might find answers here, and also check out the FAQs at FTC.gov/WU. Why not do it now? But you have until May 31, 2018. After that, you won’t be able to file your claim to get money back under this settlement with Western Union.
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In reply to How do I show proof? Once I by MSALO
Go to FTC.gov/WU to read more about the process. If you sent money to a scammer via Western Union, file a claim, even if you don’t have paperwork related to your money transfer. You may still be eligible for a payment. You can start the the process from FTC.gov/WU.
You must file your claim by May 31, 2018.
In reply to Go to FTC.gov/WU to read more by FTC Staff
In reply to How do you apply for refund by Jonjax
You can report a scam that to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint and to Western Union's Fraud Hotline at 800-448-1492.
In reply to How do I show proof? Once I by MSALO
I called Western Union and ask for a listed of transactions. It look about a month to get results so you better call now
In reply to How do I show proof? Once I by MSALO
In reply to I sent in everything 2 years by Stillwaiting
In reply to Filed out info previously to by M.Burtis
To ask about your claim, contact Gilardi & Co, the company that is managing the refund process for the US Department of Justice, at 844-319-2124 or info@WesternUnionRemission.com.
In reply to I sent in everything 2 years by Stillwaiting
In reply to I sent in everything 2 years by Stillwaiting
In reply to How do I show proof? Once I by MSALO
In reply to Who do you talk to about your by Ashley
Yes I have been scammed.I used Western Union and kept my receives. my most resent was just Jan of this year. I just found out they don't exist.lost 1800.
In reply to Yes I have been scammed.I by JohnsonK
If you lost money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 and you paid by Western Union, you can file a claim to get money back.
You must file a claim by May 31, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start the process.
In reply to If you lost money to a by FTC Staff
In reply to Yes I have been scammed.I by JohnsonK
bona fide Thanks
In reply to bona fide Thanks by 0185Ahn
In reply to I was scammed out of a good by forreal
If you lost money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 and you paid by Western Union, you can file a claim to get money back.
You can file a claim, even if you don’t have paperwork related to your money transfer. If you have the number of your FTC report, you could include that with your claim. You will give details about when you sent the money and where you sent it. You may still be eligible for a payment.
You must file a claim by May 31, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start the process.
In reply to Too many spelling errors in by Mr Manny
In reply to I have sent $500 Us, to by Juankok
If you sent money by Western Union to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017, you can file a claim to ask for money back. You must file the claim by May 31, 2018.
Go to FTC.gov/WU and FTC.gov/es/WU (in Spanish) to learn more. You can begin to file your claim at FTC.gov/WU or FTC.gov/es/WU.
In reply to how about those who were by lostboy
You are not eligible to apply for a refund under the FTC settlement with Western Union if you lost money outside these dates: January 1, 2004 to January 19, 2017.
If you transferred money through Western Union, you can call the Western Union Fraud Hotline at 800-448-1492. You can also report the scam to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give the FTC goes into a secure database that the FTC and other law enforcement agencies use for investigations.
In reply to I was scammed into buying by BailScammed
If you lost money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 and you paid by Western Union, you can file a claim to get money back. If you did not use Western Union, you are not eligible to file a claim.
In reply to If after Jan 19, 2017, we by Hermaini
If you sent money to a scammer after January 19, 2017, you cannot ask for money back.
In reply to Why did the DOJ extend the by Mjpurdy
In reply to I see response other queries by vs
Yes, people who used Western Union to send money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017, can file a claim to get money back. You must file a claim by May 31, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start filing your claim.
In reply to Yes, people who used Western by FTC Staff
In reply to Why did the DOJ extend the by Mjpurdy
The date was extended to provide more time for people to file claims.
In reply to can I send all receipt to WU by Diane K
If you want to ask for money back, you must do more than send receipts. You must fill out a claim form. The claim form tells your name and information about the money transfers.
You can fill out the claim form online. You can make electronic computer copies of your receipts and send those online too. This FTC webpage helps you start filing online. You must fill out the claim form by May 31, 2018.
You can get a paper claim form at the DOJ remission website. Look at the list of Case Documents on the DOJ remission website. The paper claim form is called a Remission Form. When you send the claim form you can send copies of your receipts.
In reply to If you want to ask for money by FTC Staff
In reply to Hi Bridget, I sent my claim by Dawn
The claims are reviewed as they come in. After all the claims are reviewed, the US Department of Justice will make decisions to approve or deny claims. Then it will work through an appeal process. Payments won't begin until the appeal process is concluded.
In reply to I was scammed through Money by edr
No, the Western Union settlement does not apply to people who sent money through MoneyGram.
In reply to hello. How can I make this by Zulaa_2844
If you lost money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 and you paid by Western Union, you can file a claim to get money back. You must file a claim by May 31, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start the process.
Both my domestic partner and I have sent thousands of dollars since 2008 to receivers in the Philippines, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, etc. for lotteries, scams. We have submitted our information to receive our transcripts from Western Union but they have not been cooperative and have denied our information because combined, the amount we have sent exceeds $20,000. How do we go about this (obtaining our transaction histories) when Western Union refuses to provide the information that we need? Thank-you in advance, as well as for extending the date to file a claim.
In reply to Both my domestic partner and by WayneM
You can file a claim even if you don’t have the complete transaction records related to the money transfers. You can provide the dates you sent the money, the place you sent the money from, and the place you sent the money to. The FTC has more information at FTC.gov/WU.
There is a secure connection from FTC.gov/WU to the DOJ claim filing website.
In reply to Does this include moneygram? by Ms. Tavi
No, the Western Union settlement does not apply to people who sent money through MoneyGram.
In reply to Can Canadians file claims as by InquiringMinds…
Yes, Canadians may ask for money back. You are not required to be a United States citizen or in the United States to file a request for money back.
If you lost money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 and you paid by Western Union, you can file a claim.
You must file a claim by May 31, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start the process.
The claim form asks for your Social Security number. You can check a box that says you don't have a Social Security number, and explain that you’re not a US citizen.