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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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M.Smith
August 28, 2019
I received a letter in the mail about the WesternUnion scam back some years ago. I have been checking often and still have not being heard anything about when or even getting any sort of reimbursement for loses. I like some sort of updates as to what is going on aside from how to feel out the form.
FTC Staff
September 04, 2019

In reply to by M.Smith

The company hired to handle the refunds - Gilardi & Co. - has not sent out decisions about who is eligible. The FTC's information page about refunds is www.FTC.gov/WU. Gilardi & Co. has information at www.WesternUnionRemission.com. You can check those pages for updates.

Got scammed
February 17, 2020

In reply to by M.Smith

I’m in the same boat. Look like we would get some kind of update
Waiting
September 03, 2019
What is the status of these claims? My father got scammed out of a lot of money, I helped him fill out the forms but he has not heard anything yet...
FTC Staff
September 04, 2019

In reply to by Waiting

The company hired to handle the refunds - Gilardi & Co. - has not sent out decisions about who is eligible. The FTC's information page about refunds is www.FTC.gov/WU. Gilardi & Co. has information at www.WesternUnionRemission.com. You can check those pages for updates.

charlotte groves
September 07, 2019
I submitted my forms online with gillard legal (western union set this up), in feb 2018. I have since received from western union letters stating no info was received on my behalf. I might add that western union has all the computer transmissions for money sent. I know this because I am the one with the help of the fbi who began this suit! I have the print out directly from the western union that shows exactly what and how much i sent! Now I get another letter sept 5,2019 stating they have no info on my behalf again! I am going to contact the atty general and the fbi again and report this. The western union is still scamming all of us!
FTC Staff
September 12, 2019

In reply to by charlotte groves

Did you get letters from Western Union, or from Gilardi & Co? Gilardi & Co. is the company that is managing the refund process for the US Department of Justice.  The Gilardi & Co. website is www.WesternUnionRemission.com.

Gilardi & Co. tells people to send in copies of documents that support their claims. You can send copies to  info@WesternUnionRemission.com. You can call Gilardi & Co. at 844-319-2124.

 

Joane
October 01, 2019
Ok , on WesternUnion the change , what's now? So when start send checks? Because they finish.
A.Shankar
October 02, 2019
It's October, where's my settlement check?
Headache
October 04, 2019
will 2019 be the year we finally get our money back come on xmas is around the corner!!!!
Joane
October 06, 2019

In reply to by Headache

Right I'm waiting to, I need this money for surgery in Dec. If I do not receive then I will have to give up.
Tn
October 19, 2019

In reply to by Headache

Let's all cross our fingers and start making calls! We have been waiting forever!
Chrissy
October 11, 2019
Any news on when the checks will me mailed out for the claims?
Sambucciaglia
October 15, 2019
I am just curious when the settlement is going to take place I've already filed my papers an the proof just wondering when we're going to get a refund from those thieves
NM
October 15, 2019
Do you have any updates regarding reimbursements for claims?
Joane
October 22, 2019
I see that I have to cancel the surgery because I won't pay,so what is the insurance like to cover.It would be good if they started sending already.
Ray7
November 05, 2019

In reply to by Joane

Ugh that sucks Joane! I truly hope we get our $$ but something tells me hardly nobody will get anything from this! I surely would not depend on this or any type of government type help. Good Luck..
Joane
November 15, 2019

In reply to by Ray7

Ray7 I already cancel, And question is about Western Union up to year from what date? from the closing the paper collection?
Ray7
November 06, 2019
I don't know we will be seeing any $$ from them IMO..
John D S
November 06, 2019
I was contacted by the legal organization in charge of this class action suit. They said I was owed money and it could take up to a year to receive it. That was at least 2 to 3 years ago. How do I find out about the progress?
Edith
November 08, 2019
I am also waiting to hear from you and your Company. I recieved instruction and a letter about 18 months ago now. So I am waiting to hear from youse...
jackie
November 14, 2019
in 2017 I've gotten a letter from ferderal trade commission lawyer stating that they have recover my money from western union scam. and they only can get 3150 back for which the court award the ferderal trade commission586 millions of dollar to refund those who got scam. so go all my information and send it off to . the stated it would take up to a year. which 2018 would be the time they go through all the paper.which it went through lawyer gilardi. in2019 all check would be send out now it nov2019 and one month before 2020, they also claim o people miss some information. but i feel those people should be waiting not the ones with all they paper work. to me i feel like a scam again i prayer it not.especially from the federal trade commission lawyer. i"ve written a letter a couple a month again the same thing no word.
Joane
November 21, 2019
You could surprise us and start paying out for Christmas
JJ
November 27, 2019
I just got an answer, people do not count on a quick refund of any money, it may take longer than a year to process. I thik it's time to take the matter into your own hands.
Joane
January 07, 2020
People, how much more will we wait for the return it is unthinkable to wait 3 years.
FlyRN
January 08, 2020
Will we be notified or is it our responsibility to check the website frequently or we will lose out? I submitted a claim several years ago and was receiving emails but nothing in a while.
FlyRN
January 08, 2020
I did receive a letter early 2019 stating that I claimed a substantial amount of money (I think $550K) which was untrue and I had all of my receipts. I called the number on the letter and talked to some young adult who didn't seem worried about the mistake. That's why I think this is a scam in itself.
JP
January 11, 2020
Keep saying check the website. There are no updates to be found. When you contact the FTC, DOJ or Gilardil & Co. seems none of them have an answer WHY? Does neither of them know what is going on? Seems Gilardili & Co. is taking their own good time in processing these claims. Deadline it says on here was May 31, 2018, here it is Jan. 11, 2020, you would think they have had long enough. Claims were filed in 2017 and nothing yet. I think them and the DOJ have had plenty long enough to make our refunds. This is our money not theirs and we want it NOW
Jpeguero
February 08, 2020
How many people you are expecting to be dead before you dispersed the money
Got scammed
February 17, 2020
I been filed my claim from western union scam, how or when will we find out weather we will get money back or not
Joanna
February 19, 2020
You have guys any new info. ? How long more We have to wait?
Maryann Mobley
February 21, 2020
I was scammed about 12 years ago, got a notice for this 4 or 5 years ago, sent in the the claim, with proof, and still waiting to hear anything at all in 2020, although by now, I’m pretty sure no money will ever be reimbursed, but who knows, maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised soon, but I’m not holding my breath.
This is gettin…
March 04, 2020
Where is our money? It has by far been more than long enough to have this all figured out! Time to disperse our settlements. Or maybe it's time for a class action suit against Gilardi & Co for failure to perform the job duties they were payed to perform. And i'm pretty certain they were well compensated for it.
warrioress inc
March 13, 2020
I am receiving emails, saying that I have 5000 western union money transfer every day for the sum of 8 million something dollars. from Nigeria. who do I r eff port this to.
FTC Staff
March 18, 2020

In reply to by warrioress inc

You can report to the FTC at www.FTC.gov/Complaint. Thank you.

RayLBC27
March 20, 2020
They said checks for the victims have went out March 11th.. Has anybody received anything in the mail?
Joanna
June 01, 2020
I got info that Remission was despairing, but it must be approved by DOJ, that is how well I understands the return of my money in July?
SallenTN74
July 06, 2020
This is sad!!! We were victimized once already! You try contacting someone and you get the same generic email. I was told back in April it would be 120 days till the next checks go out! Now I get an email saying it will be ANOTHER 120 days!!!!
Joanna
July 08, 2020
It is very sad that everyone writes what they want, It was to be the next refunds in 120 days, where it has already passed, You can forget the call.I am waiting for this money because in this hard moment they would come in and deceive us as much as they can.
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