Consumer Alert
New alert for Western Union refunds
Did you lose money to a scam, wiring the money via Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017? If so, you might know that May 31 is the deadline for filing your claim to get money back from the FTC’s and the Department of Justice’s settlement with Western Union. With the deadline fast approaching, we know two things: (1) there will probably be a rush of last-minute filers; and (2) scammers will try to take advantage of the people filing claims.
We’re sure about those scammers because we’ve already seen them (and told you about them). And we’re still seeing scams that offer to get you special access, so-called easier ways to file, and promises of big amounts of money. This includes one recent email that said it came from the FBI, promised a refund of more than $500,000 – and said you could claim it just by emailing a Gmail address.
So, as the days click down until the May 31 deadline for filing, remember: if anyone promises you a refund – or says they’re the only way to get one, that’s a scam. If anybody tries to charge you to get your money back, that’s also a scam. If you’re still planning to submit a claim, here are a few quick pointers:
- Start your claim at FTC.gov/WU. You don’t need to email anybody or hire a lawyer. Just start here, put in as much information as you have, upload whatever documents you have, and submit.
- It’s free to file your claim. Don’t pay anybody to get a refund. Ever.
- There are no guarantees. Nobody can promise you a refund at all, much less a specific amount of money. There’s a whole process that will happen once all the claims are in – to validate them, and then divide up the money among all the people who qualified.
- There are no short-cuts. That validation process? It’ll take a while. There’s no short-cut or special access. It might take a year to get your money back, but nobody can help you get it any faster.
If you spot anybody making any of those promises, or charging for a refund, the FTC wants to know about it.
Search Terms
Topics
Scams
In reply to How do I know if you got my by Canzi
In reply to I lost lots of money to a man by lisaskaaden
If you used Western Union to send money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017, you can file a claim to get money back. You must file a claim by May 31, 2018.
You can file the claim online. Go to FTC.gov/WU to read about the claim process. Click the orange button near the top of the FTC.gov/WU page to connect to the US Department of Justice website where you file a claim.
In reply to Does this apply to money sent by janimarie
If you used Western Union to send money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017, you can file a claim to get money back. You must file a claim by May 31, 2018.
You can file a claim for money you sent for many different kinds of scams, including all of these scams:
If you used Western Union to send money to a scammer you can file a claim, even if you don’t have paperwork related to the money transfer. You may still be eligible for a payment.
You can file the claim online. Go to FTC.gov/WU to read about the claim process. Click the orange button near the top of the FTC.gov/WU page to connect to the US Department of Justice website where you file a claim.
In reply to If you used Western Union to by FTC Staff
In reply to i was scammed for a lot of by Me
No, the refund program does not apply to those dates.
You can report a scam that happened in Sept/ Oct 2017 to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint and to Western Union's Fraud Hotline at 800-448-1492.
In reply to I HAD NEARLY $3,800 in 6 by GShotta
The refund program is for people who used Western Union to send money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017. If you sent money between those dates, you can file a claim to get your money back. You must file a claim by May 31, 2018.
You can file a claim online. Go to FTC.gov/WU to read about the claim filing process. You can click the orange button near the top of the FTC.gov.WU page to connect to the US Department of Justice website where you file a claim.
In reply to My Dad sent money twice to by darlajean
We have information at FTC.gov/WU about the claim filing process. You can file for a family member, friend or client if you represent their estate, have a power of attorney, or are a lawyer and have a signed document that says you represent the person and have the person's permission to file for them. Read more details at FTC.gov/WU.
The refund program is for people who used Western Union to send money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017. You must file a claim by May 31, 2018. You can file a claim online from the FTC.gov/WU page. Click the orange button near the top of the page. It will connect you to the US Department of Justice website where you file a claim.
In reply to My Dad sent money twice to by darlajean
In reply to I lost $4,000.00 but $1800.00 by jennifer
If you used Western Union to send money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017, you can file a claim to get money back. You must file a claim by May 31, 2018.
You can file the claim online. Go to FTC.gov/WU to read about the claim process. Click the orange button near the top of the FTC.gov/WU page to connect to the US Department of Justice website where you file a claim.
In reply to hello ftc I've got this by demond21
Did you use Western Union to send money for a scam?
If you sent money for a scam between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017, you can ask for money back.
You must ask for money back by May 31, 2018. Click HERE and fill out the form to ask for money back.
I did not personally send money.....the scammer took my credit card number to WU and used it to transfer $536.99 on July 7, 2014. I have only the copy of the police report and an e-mail I sent WU to say it was not approved by me. Do I qualify for the claim process?
In reply to I did not personally send by curious cat
If you lost money to a scam between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 and sent the payment through Western Union , you can submit a claim.
The deadline to file is this Thursday, May 31, 2018.
You can file a claim online. You can file a claim, even if you don't have all the paperwork about the money transfer.
Go to FTC.gov/WU to read about the claim process. You can click the orange button near the top of the FTC.gov/WU page to connect to the US Department of Justice website where you file a claim.
I lost over $2,680.88 November 2017. I had recently relocated and was looking work. Got an offer for an online job. Thought it was legit till I was informed otherwise by the bank.I even went and did a police report and was informed since it was a scam and they dont know exactly if the name given was legit or not they cant investigate any farther. Since this only credit till January 2017 I'm guessing I'm not eligible to make a claim?? Please let me know.
In reply to I lost over $2,680.88 by Jeliah
You can report a scam that happened after January 19, 2017 to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint, and to the wire transfer company you used. Call the Western Union Fraud Hotline at 800-448-1492 or the MoneyGram Customer Care Center at 1‑800‑926‑9400.
You can also report the scam to the website where you found the job listing.
Mr Cyril Kingsley promised to help me with my post box. He asked to pay 1000 dollars to Chase bank Il 60623 USA But I found he is fraud. My bank EQUA bank in Czech republic asked Chase bank to return my money as receiving an unaouthorized payment Chase bank answered they can not connecte with this man Please help me
In reply to Mr Cyril Kingsley promised by Mgr Libuše
Did you send the money by a wire transfer? You can report the person the wire transfer company. Did the person place an ad on a social media website? You could report him to that website.
Does he work for a business in the US in the state of Illinois? You can report him to the Attorney General in the state of Illinois.
In reply to I was wondering if this will by wanna know
No, the deadline will not be extended. The deadline to apply for a refund was May 31, 2018. We are not accepting any new claims.
In reply to when will we get another by getinscrewed
The deadline to file a claim has passed. The deadline was May 31, 2018. Please read the notice on the refund administrator's website.
In reply to I'm glad you aren't extending by Justme
In reply to I am with you Justme. I by icediva
In reply to I'm glad you aren't extending by Justme
Bridget, I hope my claims are accepted because I took them directly to the P.O. clerk on May 31, 2018 and was told they should get there on Monday. The claim forms say 'must be POSTMARKED BY 5-31-18'.
In reply to could you tell us how many by wow
The Gilardi & Co. website says that more than 500,000 petitions were mailed to identified victims. I don't have any information beyond that.
In reply to Just wondering what will by PoorFool
In reply to We should get the remaining by staceyv
The FTC posts updates at www.FTC.gov/WU. Gilardi & Co., the company the US Department of Justice hired to manage the refund process, posts updates at www.WesternUnionRemission.com.
In reply to I have applied for a refund by l addressyngfr…
If you applied for a refund online in November 2017 through the US Department of Justice refund website, your claim is being reviewed now. The review process could take up to one year.
You can read more at the FTC's page (FTC.gov/WU) and on the US Department of Justice refund website.
I filed a claim but didn’t have all the mtcn info because we moved and it was packed away. I had reported to the FTC and IC3 at the time I realized. I lost nearly 50,000 Is myclaim likely to be denied??
In reply to I filed a claim but didn’t by Linda
Each person’s claim must be verified by DOJ. If your claim is verified, the amount you get will depend on how much you lost and the number of people who submit valid claims.
Only the amount you transferred via Western Union is eligible for a refund. Other expenses like Western Union fees, other losses, or transfers sent through other businesses are not eligible for a refund.