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Since we told you it’s time to ask for your money back from Western Union’s settlement with the FTC, we’ve gotten some questions about who can make a claim, when, and how it works. Here are some answers.

  • If you lost money to a scammer who had you pay using Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017, you can file a claim. You have until February 12, 2018, to file your claim.
  • You do not have to pay to get your money back. To file a claim, you have to give your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) on the claim form. But nobody will call you to ask for those numbers, or for your bank account or credit card number. Anyone who does is a scammer, so tell the FTC right away.
  • If you don’t have either a Social Security number or an ITIN, check the box that says so. When asked for a reason, you can explain that you’re not a U.S. citizen – or whatever other explanation applies.
  • The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is managing the claims process through the company they hired, Gilardi & Co. Your claim will go to Gilardi, but we suggest you start at FTC.gov/WU, which will link you to the claims website.
  • If you had reported your loss to Western Union, the FTC, or another government agency earlier, you might have gotten a pre-filled claim form in the mail. But even if you didn’t, you can still file a claim.
  • To prove how much you lost, it helps to have documentation – like a receipt or transfer send form. If you don’t have those, file anyway. Give as much information as you can about your wire transfer and the money you lost, including when and why you sent it. That will help DOJ validate your claim.
  • We know it’s not that safe to send your Social Security number through the mail to someone you’ve never heard of. That’s why we suggest filing your claim online, starting at FTC.gov/WU. But if you got a claim form in the mail from Gilardi and you want to return it by mail, the only address to send it to is: United States v. The Western Union Company, PO Box 404027, Louisville, KY 40233-4027.
  • If you have power of attorney for someone, or you represent their estate, you can file a claim on their behalf.
  • How much money you get back depends on how many people file a claim, and how many claims DOJ can validate.
  • It might take a year for DOJ to process all the claims and send out checks.

 

Check FTC.gov/WU for updates and answers to other questions.

 

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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.

jeannette h
January 03, 2018
I lost almost $50,000 mostly through western union....I have documents.
FTC Staff
January 03, 2018

In reply to by jeannette h

If you lost the 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 February 12, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start the process.

Donna R
January 03, 2018

I tried to file a claim. I don't have exact dates of the times I sent money through Western Union. I just threw away all my paperwork last month. I filled out the form on the site. I got a claim IS no. But I did not get a pin. And after I fill out the clam form do I push link that says (File a Petition for Remission) If so I do not have a pin to put in the form

FTC Staff
January 03, 2018

In reply to by Donna R

Some people received claim forms in the mail, because they previously reported the fraud to Western Union or the FTC. Those claim forms had Claim IDs and PINs on them. The people who received forms by mail can go online to FTC.gov/WU and start the process of filing their claims, or send back the paper claim forms.

Some people did not get claim forms in the mail and therefore did not get PINs. If you did not get a claim form by mail, you can  go online to FTC.gov/WU and start the process of filing your claim. Filing a claim is also called "File a Petition for Remission."

When you file a claim, give details that the online form asks for. The form asks about the transactions, including how much money you sent, the date you sent it, the location you sent the money from, and the location you sent the money to.

Jacob
January 03, 2018
I was scammed by IRS impersonation phone scam on 11/13/2015, and lost $4080, through MoneyGram in Wal-Mart store. I have document. Can I file a claim? Thanks.
FTC Staff
January 03, 2018

In reply to by Jacob

No, you can't file a claim for money you sent through MoneyGram. This process is for people who sent money through Western Union.

V. Jacob
January 03, 2018

In reply to by FTC Staff

I never received any update about my complaint from FTC.
FTC Staff
January 04, 2018

In reply to by V. Jacob

If you report a problem to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint, and you give your email address, you will get an automatic email reply. The information you give goes into a secure database that the FTC and other law enforcement agencies use for investigations. The FTC does not handle individual complaints.

Cynthia P
January 03, 2018

Last year (apprx mid-yr) had been speaking w/several agents. Should I assume a claim was filed? Haven't been in contact in a while, pls advise. Sincerely, Cynthia

FTC Staff
January 03, 2018

In reply to by Cynthia P

You must file a claim if you want to ask for a refund. You must file by February 12, 2018.

Go to FTC.gov/WU for more information. You can start to file your claim at FTC.gov/WU.

Make them pay
January 03, 2018
Put the board of directors of Western Union in prision. It's fraud, put them in jail for at least ten years, crime must not pay!
EEstate PR
January 03, 2018
Do the claims payments extend to funds sent using Vigo? Their receipt notes identify Western Union as party to the wire transfers.
FTC Staff
January 08, 2018

In reply to by EEstate PR

No, money transfers sent by Vigo aren't eligible for refunds under the Western Union settlement.

V. Jacob
January 03, 2018
I was scammed by IRS impersonation phone scam on 11/13/2015, and lost $4080. Money was sent through MoneyGram in Wal-Mart store. I have document. Is there a refund from MoneyGram or other settlements that I can ask for a refund? Thank you!
FTC Staff
January 04, 2018

In reply to by V. Jacob

The refund program described in this blog is only for people who transferred money between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 using Western Union. This program does not provide refunds for people who transfered money through MoneyGram. The Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission do not have a refund program for people who sent money through MoneyGram.

You can report a problem with a MoneyGram transfer to MoneyGram Customer Care Center at 1‑800‑926‑9400.  You can also report the impersonation scam to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a secure database that the FTC and other law enforcement agencies use for investigations.

rahantaniainan…
January 04, 2018
I NEED TO FILL MY CLAIM O?LINE
FTC Staff
January 17, 2018

In reply to by rahantaniainan…

Did you send money to a scammer using Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017? 

 

If yes, you can file a claim to get money back. You must file a claim by February 12, 2018.

 

You can file your claim online. First, read the questions and answers at FTC.gov/WU. Then, click a button on FTC.gov/WU to go to the claim page.

debo
January 04, 2018
can I email due file attached is to big. and who do I email address too??
FTC Staff
January 04, 2018

In reply to by debo

If you want a refund, you must file a claim. You have to use the claim form. Go to FTC.gov/WU to get a link to the claim form.

The claim form asks for details about you, and about the transaction. After you give details, you can upload files.

Guillaume
January 04, 2018
I was scam over 3,000.00 through wesern union from women i met online and was station to Nigeria. I lost my savings all because i was searching for love in my life. I believed her and everything she said to me.so i fall for it until my friend explain to me that one of his friend was scam 10,000.00 I'm not sure if i can get the money back.
FTC Staff
January 04, 2018

In reply to by Guillaume

If you lost the money 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 February 12, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start the process. There are more questions and answers about the refund process at FTC.gov/WU.

Lamay
January 05, 2018
I was scammed back in December 2016. I want to know why now, a year later,I receive an email stating I can request my money back. I have moved since then and they are asking me on the claim form for the Western Union number that the money was for and I was unable to give them that detail because I don't have that paper anymore. All I have is a police report. Would have been nice to receive this email sooner. Had I known I would have filed the claim right away giving all the detail necessary. This was a disfavor done to me. I hope they accept my claim and I hope that people are trained better to ask questions when someone is trying to send money via Western Union which I was not. This needs to be important.
FTC Staff
January 05, 2018

In reply to by Lamay

Did you receive an email or a letter by postal mail? If you received a pre-filled claim form by postal mail from Gilardi & Co. you could return it by mail, but the FTC suggests that you file your claim online. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start filing your claim online.

You must send your claim by February 12, 2018. When you file a claim online, you can attach electronic copies of files. If you have a copy of a police report, you can make an electronic copy of the report and send it with your claim.

JIMMY O
January 12, 2018
MANY UN CLAIM COMMISSION IN MY NAME IN WESTERN UNION AND MONEY GRAM. PLEASE HELP ME TO RETRIEVE THOSE UN CLAIM COMMISSION.
FTC Staff
January 12, 2018

In reply to by JIMMY O

If you sent 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 February 12, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to begin. 

Si usted perdió dinero a manos de un estafador que lo hizo pagar usando Western Union entre el 1 de enero de 2004 y el 19 de enero de 2017, ahora puede presentar un reclamo para recibir la devolución de su dinero de parte del Departamento de Justicia. FTC.gov/WU. Usted debe presentar un reclamo antes del 12 de febrero de 2018.

MariaM
January 06, 2018
I am helping my sister, who lives in ILINOIS and has been a victim for the last couple years. She does NOT know how to use a computer nor has any friends near her who can help. I am limited as to what I can do for her on the computer. Where or how can I just make a hardcopy/printout of the application form? I viewed it via the link but I did not complete it as she has all the information. We are both Sr.Citizens (65+) and I live in Tx. Please advise how I can get a blank application form?
FTC Staff
January 08, 2018

In reply to by MariaM

You can get a form on the US Department of Justice (DOJ) refund website. DOJ hired Gilardi & Co. to administer the refund program. When you are on the refund website, look at the list of case documents. Click on remission form. That's the form your sister should fill out and return by February 12, 2018.

Your sister can send copies of documents when she returns the remission form. If she doesn't have documents, she should still send a claim for a refund. She should give as many details as she can. The FTC has questions & answers about filing claims at FTC.gov/WU. You could print a copies of the FTC questions and answers and send it to your sister with the claim form.

Your sister must give her Social Security number on the claim form. That's because before it sends refunds DOJ must check  with the Treasury Offset Program to verify that a person does not owe any money to the federal government. It needs your Social Security number to do that.

Wj04071955
January 06, 2018
I lost 600 dollars in a scam in 2015
FTC Staff
January 08, 2018

In reply to by Wj04071955

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 February 12, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start the process.

Lynda
January 08, 2018
How can i get money back from a scam that is not western union?
FTC Staff
January 08, 2018

In reply to by Lynda

You can report that to the FTC at FTC.gov/Complaint and to the wire transfer company you used. Call MoneyGram Customer Care Center at 1‑800‑926‑9400. If the scammer contacted you through a website, for example a dating website or product sales website, you can report the problem to that site.

Cyndi
January 09, 2018
I also was scammed in September of 2015 by a Publisher Clearing House scam and sent $200 through MoneyGram at Walmart! Waited for my winnings they never came! I called Publishers Clearing House only to find out it was a big scam. I am a senior citizen disabled I called the police made a report and there was still nothing I could do.
Rmills
January 09, 2018
Does this even cover money sent over sea's
FTC Staff
January 10, 2018

In reply to by Rmills

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 for money you transferred inside the United States and money you sent outside United States, if you sent it through Western Union and between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017.  You must file a claim by February 12, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start.

ohonrada
January 11, 2018
2016 or end month of 2015 I met a guy online ...in making thr story short I'm fell inl love in person I only met in website and asked more money that reach almost 35,000 dollars that mostly I send in money gram and others in western....how can I file a claim on it...I still holding some of the reciept from money gram ...in western union I know they still holding some info of their clients who send money to them...thanks
FTC Staff
January 12, 2018

In reply to by ohonrada

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't file a claim for money you sent by MoneyGram.

You must file a claim by February 12, 2018. You can provide as many details as you remember about the transactions. You can send copies of receipts or other paperwork. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start the claim process. 

bcok0007
January 12, 2018
I was lied to about 500,000.00 dollar fedex check coming in the mail & I sent 1060.00 through western union for all of it was fraudulent.
FTC Staff
January 16, 2018

In reply to by bcok0007

If you want to request a refund, you must file a claim by February 12, 2018. You can file a claim if you lost money the money  between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017. You must file a claim by February 12, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start the process.

Angel one
January 16, 2018
What if you don't have ur paper work lost it when i moved. But it was done thru westerunion wouldnt it be in western union system?
FTC Staff
January 16, 2018

In reply to by Angel one

If you want to ask for a refund, you must file a claim. You can file a claim, even if you don’t have paperwork related to your money transfer. When you file the claim, you can tell when you sent the money, and where you sent it and other details.

 

You can file a claim if you lost money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017. You must file a claim by February 12, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to read more about the refunds and start  the process.

maricutam
January 17, 2018

Hello, I receveid the claim form and I filled it, but I don't know where I'll send it after I postmarked? By email to info@ westernunionremission.com or via postoffice to the menntioned address?

FTC Staff
January 17, 2018

In reply to by maricutam

If you received a paper form by postal mail, you can return the paper form by postal mail, or you can fill out a form online. If you want to return the form by postal mail, send it to:

United States v. The Western Union Company
P.O. Box 404027
Louisville, KY 40233-4027

If you want to fill out your claim online, go to FTC.gov/WU. Click the light blue button that says "I got a pre-filled claim form." That will take you to the website where you can fill out your form.

Do not send your form to info @ westernunionremission.com. That is the wrong place to send a claim form.

The diamond
January 17, 2018
What happens if money was lost to a scam via Western Union after the January 19, 2017 date? Are we file eligible to receive a refund?
FTC Staff
January 17, 2018

In reply to by The diamond

No, you are not eligible to request a refund under this settlement if you sent money to a scammer after January 19, 2017.

You can  report the scam to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a secure database that the FTC and other law enforcement agencies use for investigations. You can also call the Western Union Fraud Hotline at 800-448-1492 .

Pralok T
January 19, 2018
I received the pre-filled claim information, but I threw it out by mistake not realizing what it was. how do I get that resent?
FTC Staff
January 19, 2018

In reply to by Pralok T

You can call the refund administrator at 1-844-319-2124.

The refund administrator say you can file a claim online. To file a claim online, go to FTC.gov/WU and read about the refund process. Then, click on the orange button at the top of the page. It will connect you to the US Department of Justice website where you can file your claim. Write as many details as you remember on the claim form. You can write the year, and why you sent the money and other details you remember.

lost my money …
January 18, 2018
I lost my money back in 2011! I do not remember the date and I had received the pre-filled claim, but I threw it out without reading it. How do I file it?
FTC Staff
January 19, 2018

In reply to by lost my money …

You can file a claim online. Go to FTC.gov/WU and read about the refund process. Then, click on the orange button at the top of the page. It will connect you to the US Department of Justice website where you can file your claim. Write as many details as you remember on the claim form. You can write the year, and why you sent the money and other details you remember.

irma
January 19, 2018
Is asking for dates money was sent I don’t remember how can I submit form? Is not allowing me.
FTC Staff
January 19, 2018

In reply to by irma

Write as many details as you remember on the claim form. You can write the year, and why you sent the money and other details you remember. You can call the refund administrator at 1-844-319-2124.