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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.

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Arthur Proffitti
February 09, 2019

In reply to by Canzi

I filed a claim last year but haven't heard a thing. I sent a list of the amounts
marina52
May 23, 2018
Thanks for the warning
lisaskaaden
May 23, 2018
I lost lots of money to a man that said he was in the military.
FTC Staff
May 23, 2018

In reply to 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.

janimarie
May 23, 2018
Does this apply to money sent to a specific person who was a Nigerian scammer? What if I don't have receipts or even remember the exact amount I sent?
FTC Staff
May 23, 2018

In reply to 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: 

  • Online or internet scams, when you did not receive the items you tried to buy online
  • Lottery or prize promotion scams, when you were told you won a lottery or sweepstakes, but never got the prize
  • Emergency or grandparent scams, when you sent money to someone who pretended to be a relative or friend who needed money
  • Advance-fee loan scams, when you paid upfront fees, but did not get the promised loans
  • Online dating or romance scams, when you sent money to someone who created a fake profile on a dating or social networking website.

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.

Lithuania
May 23, 2018
I'm deceived by 2018-02 how can you help me?
mamachills
May 23, 2018
is there a similar claim process for people who have been scammed since jan of 2017?
Me
May 24, 2018
i was scammed for a lot of money in Sept/Oct of 2017 can i still file to try and get my money back?
FTC Staff
May 24, 2018

In reply to 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.

GShotta
May 24, 2018
I HAD NEARLY $3,800 in 6 months.
FTC Staff
May 24, 2018

In reply to 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.

Paul
May 24, 2018
I have been unable to share your info for some time now ? I get a URL not matching message ? ty
darlajean
May 24, 2018
My Dad sent money twice to scammers through Western Union before he passed away a year ago. Can my mother or I, on her behalf, make a claim?
FTC Staff
May 24, 2018

In reply 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. 

CP
May 30, 2018

In reply to by darlajean

I remember SBA accounts I have been sending for a disaster loan. Western Union told back then Country Wide folded or no longer exists. Have been scammed by a place in Nigeria. Was getting calls and from telemarketers. Never.
jennifer
May 25, 2018
I lost $4,000.00 but $1800.00 were wire through western union. I never regain back any.
FTC Staff
May 25, 2018

In reply to 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.

demond21
May 25, 2018
hello ftc I've got this faccebook staff have stolen my money order from western union send to martin witchcliff from nigera about almost $490-$500.oo fee in total to collect $150,000.00 at my door my address information also.
FTC Staff
May 25, 2018

In reply to 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.

curious cat
May 29, 2018

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?

FTC Staff
May 29, 2018

In reply to 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.

Jeliah
May 29, 2018

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.

FTC Staff
May 29, 2018

In reply to 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.

Darwin
May 29, 2018
Claim my money back.about Jan 19 2017....
Mama j
May 29, 2018
I lost $1,000.00 going through Western Union money gram. It was terrible. I reported it to my local police department, they would not help me. I get about 3-7 calls about aquiring money from the federal government most of the time they are 202(area code) numbers. I no longer answer them.
EDWARD SMITH
May 29, 2018
ON MAY 10 2018 I WAS INSTRUCTED TO SEND $750.TO SOUTH CAROLINA as part of receiving a Federal Grant & on May 17,2018 i was instructed to send $300. to NIGERIA FOR THE SAME GRANT I NEVER DID SEE THE GRANT I WAS SUPPOSE TO GET THE GRANT IN 24 HOURS
Mgr Libuše
June 01, 2018

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

FTC Staff
June 01, 2018

In reply to 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.

Jill J
June 01, 2018
You should extend the deadline one more week to help the last minute filers who only heard about the deadline of May 31st 2018 on May 31st 2018 and didn't have time to get paperwork in.
wanna know
June 01, 2018
I was wondering if this will be extended - I found out about it on the deadline of May 31 and need time to file.
FTC Staff
June 01, 2018

In reply to 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.

getinscrewed
June 01, 2018
when will we get another chance to file?
Justme
June 01, 2018
I'm glad you aren't extending the deadline!! When I first received my notice it was back in November of 2017 and the deadline then was in February 2018 and then the deadline was extended to May 31, 2018. Now show me the money!! LOL!!! Thank you for not extending the deadline!!
icediva
June 06, 2018

In reply to by Justme

I am with you Justme. I filed my claim in November as soon as I heard about it along with receipts to back it up. I am sorry for those who missed the deadline, but I think the FTC has given everyone more than enough time to submit a claim, and if you missed the deadline it is not the FTC's fault. I think the FTC should process claims in the order they came in and give priority to those who submitted their claims early and also provided receipts as well.
bewildered
June 19, 2018

In reply to by icediva

They sent out over 500,000 claim forms and that's not counting all the forms people downloaded and mailed in or claimed on line. They are not going to give prefect to people who did claims back in Nov.of 2017 because it wouldn't be fair for the people who did not know about it then and people who tried to submit their claims online and we're unable to so they needed to send them through the mail. I know from personal experience I was unable to file a claim online so I had to mail them and I called Gilardi several time right up to the day before the final extension was to end and what I heard back each time was they could not locate my claim. Finally I gave it one last shot on filing online again and I had to submit several claims in order for them to go through. But there are so many claims filed and 586 million is not going to cover everyone's lost. So we will be lucky if we recieve even an 1/8-1/4 of what we were scammed out of. But we need to be thankful for what we get back and when we get it back because without this settlement we wouldn't get anything and they need to be fair with everyone not just people who sent in claims early.
Don't use your…
September 12, 2018

In reply to by Justme

I send an email asking for update and they reply they still processing. Please where's the money
GG
June 07, 2018

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'.

wow
June 02, 2018
could you tell us how many people filed for a refund when the deadline was over? i know you guys sent something like 500,000 forms, do you think it went over that?
FTC Staff
June 07, 2018

In reply to 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.

PoorFool
June 05, 2018
Just wondering what will happen with the remainder of the settlement money if the amount being repayed to the number of people that file doesn't come close to using up the settlement fund. I know you have to get your portion as a service fee. Or what happens if there isn't enough to cover all the qualified claims. Some of us had lasting financial/credit damage due to the scammers. I know getting something back is better than getting nothing back. But if there are funds left after repayments are figured and your portion is taken, the rest should be divided between claimants.
staceyv
June 30, 2019

In reply to by PoorFool

We should get the remaining money. Some of us have gone through so much after being scammed. I filed by the original deadline in Nov 2017. Keep hearing it can take more than a year. I feel it should be a year from that deadline!! The government and lawyers make enough money they shouldn’t take from us. Would like to see an update that is not the deadline was May 2018 and it could take a year to verify. How about Stacey you will be receiving your money within 4 weeks and we are sorry for what you went through
FTC Staff
July 01, 2019

In reply to 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.

l addressyngfr…
June 07, 2018
I have applied for a refund online in Nov/207 and got a I'd number but when you go online to check on the WU remission page it says you need a PIN number to access your account online. How do I get a PIN number? Who do I can call? Please help out. Thank you for your time .
FTC Staff
June 08, 2018

In reply to 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.

LostnFound
June 07, 2018
I lost my form & had looked my house over for it and I finally found it yesterday and it said that the deadline was on Feb.17,2018 I went to the site to see about getting my claim in & entered the information given to login and filled out the form & submitted it bc it said that claims filed after the May 31st deadline would be considered for reimbursement that could take up to a year before receiving payment.
Linda
June 08, 2018

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??

FTC Staff
June 08, 2018

In reply to 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.