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 $500,000 – and said you could claim it just by emailing a Gmail address.
So, as the days click down until the May 31 deadline for filing, remember: if anyone promises you a refund – or says they’re the only way to get one, that’s a scam. If anybody tries to charge you to get your money back, that’s also a scam. If you’re still planning to submit a claim, here are a few quick pointers:
- Start your claim at FTC.gov/WU. You don’t need to email anybody or hire a lawyer. Just start here, put in as much information as you have, upload whatever documents you have, and submit.
- It’s free to file your claim. Don’t pay anybody to get a refund. Ever.
- There are no guarantees. Nobody can promise you a refund at all, much less a specific amount of money. There’s a whole process that will happen once all the claims are in – to validate them, and then divide up the money among all the people who qualified.
- There are no short-cuts. That validation process? It’ll take a while. There’s no short-cut or special access. It might take a year to get your money back, but nobody can help you get it any faster.
If you spot anybody making any of those promises, or charging for a refund, the FTC wants to know about it.
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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.
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In reply to How cum is it that us ppl by ATgrsy214$
As of March 25, 2019, the refund administrator has not sent refund checks to anyone.
To stay informed, go to www.FTC.gov/WU or the site of Gilardi & Co.
The US Department of Justice hired Gilardi & Co.l to manage the refund process. Gilardi & Co got more than 180,000 claims from people and they are still reviewing and evaluating the claims to see who is eligibility. If a claim is missing information, Gilardi & Co. might send mail to a person to ask for more information.
Gilardi & Co. will continue to review claims in 2019.
In reply to I filed my petition for by Perplexed in Texas
As of April 2, 2019, refunds have not being sent.
Check FTC.gov/WU and the website of Gilardi & Co - that's the company that's managing the refund process for the US Department of Justice.
People sent in more than 180,000 Western Union refund claims. Gilardi & Co. is reviewing and evaluating all the claims to determine eligibility. If information is missing from your claim, Gilardi & Co may contact you by mail to explain what is missing and to ask for more information.
No payments will be sent until all the claims are reviewed.
In reply to I filed a claim and now they by coker3282
Who is asking for your Social Security number? Be sure you send your information to a legimate group connected to the FTC case.
The FTC has up-tp-date information about Western Union refunds at FTC.gov/WU. Also, read updates from the company that manages the refunds for the US Department of Justice, Gilardi & Co.
If you filed a claim before the deadline, and that claim is missing information, Gilardi & Co. might contact you by mail to explain what is missing and ask for more information.
You are required to give your Social Security number when you file a claim. This page of questions and answers explains why.
In reply to I received a letter by mail by Kim K.
The US Department of Justice hired Gilardi & Co to handle the refund process. If you filed a claim, and your claim is not complete, Gilardi & Co. might send you a letter that explains the problem and ask for additional information.
If Gilardi & Co sent you a letter on March 29, 2019, you must get a postmark on your reply by April 29, 2019. A claim has to include a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer ID number. These questions and answers on this page explain why you must give your SSN.
Read more about Western Union refunds at www.FTC.gov/WU and www.WesternUnionRemission.com.
In reply to Wheres my check going on 4 by Karla West
The FTC announced a settlement with Western Union in January 2017. If you want information about that settlement, you can go to www.FTC.gov/WU and www.WesternUnionRemission.com.
In reply to Wheres my check going on 4 by Karla West
In reply to I filled a claim In December by Phyllis
No, May 31, 2019 is not an extension for all people to file claims. Gilardi & Co, the company hired by the US Department of Justice to manage the refund process, set a May 31, 2019 deadline for some people to send additional information about their claims.
Go to www.FTC.gov/WU and www.WesternUnionRemission.com to get the latest information about the refund process. Both websites have questions and answers for people who filed claims.
In reply to I filed on 1/28/18 and I by Queencoyle
Gilardi & Co., the company hired by the US Department of Justice to manage the refund process, is still reviewing claims.
Go to www.FTC.gov/WU or www.WesternUnionRemission.com for updates about the refund process.
In reply to HOW WILL PEOPLE KNOW IF THEY by Tweetybird17
You can read updates from the FTC at www.FTC.gov/WU and from Gilardi & Co. at www.WesternUnionRemission.com. Gilardi & Co. is the company the US Department of Justice hired to manage the refund process.
Both websites tell you how to contact Gilardi & Co. if you have a question about your claim.
In reply to I submitted my Petition for by SGCohen
In reply to This is getting to be worse by Openrup
You can read updates from the FTC at www.FTC.gov/WU and from Gilardi & Co. at www.WesternUnionRemission.com. Gilardi & Co. is the company the US Department of Justice hired to manage the refund process.
In reply to Scam occurred in 2014... by M.S.Harriman
You can read updates from the FTC at www.FTC.gov/WU and from Gilardi & Co. at www.WesternUnionRemission.com. Gilardi & Co. is the company the US Department of Justice hired to manage the refund process.
In reply to is there any information on by waldo
There is no date set for refunds. You can email the refund administrator at info@westernunionremission.com to ask about your refund.
The FTC will post updates at www.FTC.gov/WU.
In reply to I just wanted to find out I by Blueberry
The FTC has information about the refunds at www.FTC.gov/WU. The refund administrator, Gilardi & Co, has information at www.WesternUnionRemission.com. In March 2019, Gilardi & Co. mailed more than 38,000 letters to people whose claims lacked information. Those people were supposed to respond to the letters by June 30, 2019. The FTC, US Department of Justice and Gilardi & Co have not sent out notices about who is eligible for remission. You can check the FTC and Gilardi & Co. websites for updates.
In reply to I am moving in a few weeks, by Bwishwisely
The refund administrator's website is www.WesternUnionRemission.com.
The FTC has information about the refund process at www.FTC.gov/WU.
In reply to I was told refunds would be by Juno54
The FTC has information about the refunds at www.FTC.gov/WU. The refund administrator, Gilardi & Co, has information at www.WesternUnionRemission.com. In March 2019, Gilardi & Co. mailed more than 38,000 letters to people whose claims lacked information. Those people were supposed to respond to the letters by June 30, 2019. The FTC, US Department of Justice and Gilardi & Co have not sent out notices about who is eligible for remission. You can check the FTC and Gilardi & Co. websites for updates.
In reply to I sent my original claim in by bxw003
The Gilardi & Co. refund website is www.WesternUnionRemission.com.
The FTC has information about the refund process at www.FTC.gov/WU.
In reply to An update posted on the by update please
The FTC has information about the refunds at www.FTC.gov/WU. The refund administrator, Gilardi & Co, has information at www.WesternUnionRemission.com. In March 2019, Gilardi & Co. mailed more than 38,000 letters to people whose claims lacked information. Those people were supposed to respond to the letters by June 30, 2019. The FTC, US Department of Justice and Gilardi & Co have not sent out notices about who is eligible for remission. You can check the FTC and Gilardi & Co. websites for updates.
In reply to Hello I submitted my claim. I by Urdarkdream07
The FTC, US Department of Justice and refund administrator have not sent decisions about refunds.
You can contact refund administrator (Gilardi & Co.) at info@WesternUnionRemission.com or 844-319-2124 to ask about your claim. The Gilardi & Co website is www.WesternUnionRemission.com.
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