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 does the May 31, 2018 by drstaven
Yes, deadline to file your claim online is May 31, 2018.
You're right, the date hasn't been corrected in some places on the DOJ administrator's site. But the deadline to file has been extended to May 31, 2018.
In reply to I sent so many orders by by Mr. Mark
You can file a claim for the money you lost to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017, that you sent by Western Union.
You must file a claim by May 31, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start the process.
i have not received any letter or form from western union, i have already warned you at the first message that i have lost money to the fraudsters. So I wrote a registered letter to western union, so I hope that it is accepted. I lost more than 17000 € I hope I get something back.
In reply to i have not received any by marina52
Marina, If you want to ask for money back, you must file a claim. You must file a claim on the U.S. Department of Justice claim website. You must send your claim by May 31, 2018.
If you do NOT file a claim, you will NOT get money back. A registered letter is NOT a claim.
To reach the U.S. Department of Justice claim website, go to this FTC page: FTC.gov/WU. Click the orange button at the top of the page. Click again and you will be securely connected to the claim website.
In reply to Hello,I'm only able to by Jc
If you lost money to a scammer who had you pay using Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017, you can now file a claim to get your money back. You must file a claim by May 31, 2018.
To start the process, go to FTC.gov/WU.
You can file a claim file a claim, even if you don’t have the paperwork related to your money transfer. You may still be eligible for a payment. You can include the dates you sent money and the places you sent money to and from, and your personal information on the claim.
In reply to If you lost money to a by FTC Staff
In reply to But I don't remember exactly by Jc
The FTC can't look up information about your transactions.
You can file a claim related to money you sent through Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017. You must file your claim by May 31, 2018.
You may file a claim if you don’t have all the paperwork. Do your best and include the information you remember. You may still be eligible for a payment. To get started, go FTC.gov/WU.
When you are on FTC.gov/WU, click on the orange button near the top of the page. Then click again and you will connect to the U.S. Department of Justice claim filing website.
In reply to I got scammed over net by by Maurice
Canadians can also file a claim to get money back, if they sent money to a scammer through Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017. You are not required to be a United States citizen or in the United States to file a request.
Go to FTC.gov/WU to start filing a claim.
In reply to We have till May 31, 2018 to by ccoss
You must submit a claim by May 31, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start.
In reply to i had transferred $2000 to by ajey
The FTC settlement with Western Union does not provide refunds for people who sent money by Green Dot. You can report the scam to the FTC at FTC.gov/Complaint.
In reply to My elderly father was scammed by DMR
If your father used Western Union to send money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017, you can file a claim on his behalf if you represent his estate. You must submit a claim by May 31, 2018.
Read more about the process at FTC.gov/WU. You can start to submit your claim from the FTC.gov/WU page.
What happens if an elderly man age 63 was scammed by people who said they were publishers clearing house he won a car and a check for million but it happens during April to DEC 2017, can he still file a claim, I truly believe he was targeted, older people on disability?
In reply to What happens if an elderly by Jamest
The claim process is only for people who used Western Union to send money to a scammer from January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017.
You can report a scam that happened later in 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 MoneyGram Customer Care Center at 1‑800‑926‑9400.
The US Administration on Aging can help you find services for older adults, like transportation, housing and food assistance. Go to eldercare.acl.gov or call 1-800-677-1116.
In reply to I filled out paperwork by Brad
It may take up to a year to process and verify people’s claims and determine who is eligible to get a payment. We will update the FTC.gov/WU page when we have more information.
In reply to Scammed out of 600 dollars by by g4god
If you used Western Union to send money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017, you can now file a claim to get your money back. You must file a claim by May 31, 2018.
Go to FTC.gov/WU for more information. You can start to file your claim from FTC.gov/WU.
In reply to Since this type of issue is by Tanya
You can report the scam to the Western Union Fraud Hotline at 800-448-1492 and the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint.
In reply to What recourse does one have by Nana/Sissy
If you used Western Union to send money to a scammer after January 2017, you can report that to the FTC at FTC.gov/Complaint and to the Western Union Fraud Hotline at 800-448-1492.
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.
In reply to What if someone stole enough by Aprilsway6
If you used Western Union to send money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017, you can now file a claim to get your money back.
You must file the claim by May 31, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to read more about the claims and start the process. Click on the orange button near the top of the page, and click again to connect to the online claim filing website.
In reply to I sent in my pre-filled claim by LAXmom
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 The claims are reviewed as by FTC Staff
In reply to Does each claim get its own by Jw463
You can contact the refund administrator for more information.
Email: info @ westernunionremission. com or call (844)319-2124.
HELLO,I AFTER NOW UNTIL THIS VERY MONTH AND DAY I,HAVEN'T HEARD,ANYTHING ABOUT RECEIVING THE REFUND FOR THE MONEY THAT WAS TAKEN FROM ME BY SCAMMERS.I HAD IT ALL WRITTEN DOWN IN MY PERSONAL NOTEOOK.SOMEONE SHOULD,OR THE APPOINTED AUHORITY SHOULD STEP FORWARD WITH THE REFUND A.S.A.P.-I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.IT'S BEEN SINCE MARCH OF 2017.,,NOW THAT MY COMPLAINT,BECAME KNOWN.AND THE SECOND PHASE OF THE COMPLAINT WAS IN BY FEBRUARY 12TH,,2018.I AM EXPECTING JUSTICE TO PREVAIL,AND RIGHTFULLY-I WLL BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL THE MISTAKES AND DAMAGE DONE,,TO GET RICH OFF A CIVILIAN WORKING WITH A DISABILITY.THANKS.
In reply to HELLO,I AFTER NOW UNTIL THIS by eric
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 your claim by May 31, 2018.
Go to FTC.gov/WU to read more. Then click the orange button near the top of the FTC.gov/WU page. It will connect you to the claim filing website.
Hi, I have scammed in March 2018, I am not eligible for money refund. Please answer
In reply to Hi, I have scammed in March by Kursat
You are not eligible for this refund program. The refund program is only for people used Western Union to send money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017.
You can report a recent scam to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint and to Western Union's Fraud Hotline at 800-448-1492.
In reply to I was scammed yesterday . I by mardskins
You are not eligible for this refund program. The refund program is for people used Western Union to send money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017.
You can report a scam that happened yesterday to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint and to Western Union's Fraud Hotline at 800-448-1492.
My mom past away.And I'm dealing with her affairs.so what happens will they return the money to mebher son.i remember the day she was scammed I notified the police my mom was a old lady.I sent the paper in an never received a response.I also submitted death certificate an administrator of my mom's .Sobwhat happens next.
In reply to My mom past away.And I'm by boobyboss71
It may take up to a year from now to process and verify people’s claims and determine who is eligible to get a payment. You can check the FTC.gov/WU page for updates.
In reply to I never received any claim by Durangogirl
You can contact the refund administrator to ask about your claim. The contact information is on this page.