Skip to main content

Refund checks worth about $153 million are going out to over 109,000 people who sent money to scammers through Western Union wire transfers. The $153 million is a portion of the money Western Union paid when it reached settlements with the FTC and Department of Justice and agreed to create a strong, anti-fraud program. Western Union also admitted to criminal violations in its settlement with the Department of Justice.

The first refunds are going to people who signed and returned a pre-filled claim form and agreed with the dollar amount stated on the form. The refund administrator, Gilardi & Co., is verifying claims that need additional information. Other people who filed claims will get refunds later this year.

The refund checks will come from “United States v. The Western Union Company.” If you’re in the US, you have to cash or deposit the check within 90 days. If you got a check but don’t agree with the amount, you can cash the check and contact Gilardi & Co. For more information about refunds, contact Gilardi & Co. at 844-319-2124 and go to WesternUnionRemission.com. Learn more from the FTC at Western Union Refunds.

 

Search Terms
money transfer
refunds
Topics
Shopping and Donating
Gofer
March 10, 2020
My brother ( now dead by suicide) was scammed out of over a hundred thousand dollars, most of which he sent through Western Union, before they finally cut him off and wouldn't allow him to send money to the Philippines anymore. He then changed over to PayPal, sending thousands more. Is there any way any of that money can be gotten back? Thank you.
Dr.J
March 10, 2020
Where is my refund?
Daisy 51
May 29, 2021

In reply to by Dr.J

This is 2021 and I still haven't received my refund. Are the still sending checks out. I agreed to the amount in the letter.
Miz
March 10, 2020
What’s the point of contacting Western Union or Moneygram if the deadline has passed? I’m curious. Thanks
FTC Staff
March 12, 2020

In reply to by Miz

The deadline for this refund program has passed, but you can always report a scam to a wire transfer company and ask for assistance, and report to the FTC so law enforcement has the information for investigations.

C groves
May 17, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

We submitted all our money sent to gillard On the computer Forms they had. I listed ever single one. I have receipts for every single transaction. It’s been over two years since I submitted all of our information. We got letters stating that we claimed more than you had record of. I find that a bit ludicrous since I had all my receipts. You have all the information on your computer. I still haven’t received any of my money. Neither has my aunt. Neither has my daughter or neighbor. Our you holding our money to collect interest or something more sinister? I have contacted the fbi again about this delay. C groves in Missouri city.
Denise
March 11, 2020
I filled out a prefilled claim on line will i get my refund soon or later just asking thank u
FTC Staff
March 11, 2020

In reply to by Denise

Did you get a claim form in the mail that showed a dollar amount? The first refunds are going to people got claim forms in the mail that showed a dollar amount, and signed and returned those forms. Other people who filed claims will get refunds later this year. 

Polostyles
July 13, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I get what you saying but you had a option whether to mail the form in or do it online and I'm yet to receive my refund yet either and yes I did my form online even though I could have mail but I did it online so it can be process faster. my form did have a dollar amount on it and I wasn't even included in the first batch of refunds when I even submitted the form round December 2017. They next batch anticipated in 120 days after the March 10th date and yet still no refund and the 120 has pass now. So if the doj can easily get stimulus checks out why is this taking so long and coronavirus was around in March so thats not really no excuse.
dancey57
July 15, 2020

In reply to by Polostyles

I am with you. This isn't good excuses. they need to get us our money.
ZAKKIYAH
October 10, 2020

In reply to by Polostyles

I agree! If you think about it, is there some connection between the two. I have been waiting since March and not yet came across a check! Then I get some bogus post card telling me that I have the check but I didn't cash it! Why? I need my money this is not a game we are playing with people lives.
DoBlessingsn't…
March 11, 2020
Well praise the Lord!All Te people bless his Holy Name!
taptap
March 11, 2020
that good to know, that the FTC is working.
haynwahine4175
March 11, 2020
In 2009, I have numerous money orders to nigeria and was told many times that I will be receive back the amount and more for my trouble. How can I get my refund from years ago.
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by haynwahine4175

The deadline to file claims for this program was May 31, 2018. This program is for people who sent money transfers through Western Union. Read more at www.FTC.gov/WU.  

althieac
March 11, 2020
I received a letter about 3 or 4 years ago, I filled out the letter, and completed my remission petition online. I received a confirmation of receipt of the online remission also. I have moved since then, will I still receive the check at my new address without having to submit a address change?
FTC Staff
March 11, 2020

In reply to by althieac

You could contact Gilardi & Co. at 844-319-2124 to check what information they have on file for you.

lilred
March 28, 2020

In reply to by althieac

I had to email my change of address because you can never get through on that phone number. It’s just a prerecorded message. The email address is info@westernunionremission.com. Someone will get back to you. Hope this helps!
Tada
March 11, 2020
Hello How soon should those who fill out prefill forms look for these checks and is it regular mail? Altho I do have all proof of documents i was never ask for them ..but the prefill amount is correct so i returned it right away..but how soon will those be returned?thanks alot
FTC Staff
March 11, 2020

In reply to by Tada

Yes, checks are being sent by regular mail, starting on March 11, 2020.

imagine.nationps
April 01, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Received my check and it came when I least expected it!!!!! Blew my mind because it was the amount I was taken for years ago but again years ago I filed a claim when my money was stolen. Thank you so much for reaching out to me and for really seeing this settlement through! God bless you all!
Calibre45PH
June 07, 2020

In reply to by imagine.nationps

I've also received check from western union. Wheee can i encash the check?
swain51
March 12, 2020
hello okay,finally what I have been waiting for and a chance to get a refund back from the western union..id like too know if you still have my information.and how do I update my information hoping that I will get a refund I have gotten correspondanece,and letters from western union settlement before.i still have a list of the transactions made,in my behalf. thru western union.im looking forward to comply with any information needed too,get the monies that I paid out back.if possible.it been quite some time since 2009.,,good too hear from you.thanks eric swain eswain
FTC Staff
March 12, 2020

In reply to by swain51

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

And, did you get a form from Gilardi & Co. that showed how much you sent through Western Union? (Gilardi & Co. is the refund administrator that handles Western Union refunds for the US Department of Justice.)

People who signed and returned those forms are getting refunds now. Other people who sent money to scammers between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 and filed claims with Gilardi will get refunds later this year. 

If you have a question about the claim you filed, call Gilardi & Co. at 1-844-319-2124. 

jeremiah77
March 12, 2020
can you trace money transferred back to 2012 because i was scammed of $4000 from someone in south africa from a mingle dating site.
FTC Staff
March 12, 2020

In reply to by jeremiah77

The deadline to file claims for this program was May 31, 2018. Did you file a claim before that deadline? 

phoenixwolf
March 11, 2020
I was scammed through western union and so was my mother. but we never received a letter or anything from Western Union. In fact we were told by the western union rep "that's not our problem"
Clare
March 11, 2020
change of mailing address . Eligible for the First round of payment, mailing. I have put change of address in US Post Office - Do I need to call Gilardi and/or FTC at this time? Anyways I will wait for the mail.... Thank You
Juliek1968
March 12, 2020
Is their a way to check to see if I was included in this first mailing of refund checks? I do have a claim id. Or do I just call the number listed in most of the replies.
Caligirl350
March 13, 2020

In reply to by Juliek1968

There is no live person to answer the phone line.
GH
March 13, 2020
I am staying overseas, can you please tell if the pre-filled claim form will be sent to me by email or post? For refund to overseas claimers, Gilardi & Co. will send check by regular airmail or they will use another means for refund like wire transfer? Thanks.
FTC Staff
March 13, 2020

In reply to by GH

To get answers, please call the administrator at 1-844-319-2124 or email to info@westernunionremission.com.

Beak2210
March 13, 2020
How do you know for sure if u are getting a check for Western union remission settlement nobody knows anything said wait for letter or check how long??
FTC Staff
March 13, 2020

In reply to by Beak2210

Did you sign and return a form that showed the dollar amount  you transferred through Western Union? 

The first refunds are going to people who signed and returned a pre-filled claim form and agreed with the dollar amount stated on the form. Gilardi & Co. started to mail the checks on March 11, 2020. 

The Gilardi & Co. website says they expect to make decisions about more claims in the next four months. Look at Question # 8 on the Frequently Asked Questions page.

 

MJ
March 13, 2020
Has anyone received a check yet? Is there a way to check if you're apart of the first round of disbursements. Is there a list or database of names for people to check the status?
corey l stuart
March 13, 2020

In reply to by MJ

I called the number and listened to the questions I think it’s around question 9 or 10 it will say hit 1 to speak to rep they picked up immediately and she told me I was issued a refund mailed on the11th
Wen
March 26, 2020

In reply to by corey l stuart

Yup, I got mine 2 weeks ago. I deposited the check and it was cleared the next day.
MJ
March 13, 2020
EVERYONE! I just called Gilardi & Co and skipped through the automated questions and spoke to a live person. I gave my claim ID number and was told my check was mailed out March 11. So please call to get the information you need.
MJ
March 13, 2020

In reply to by MJ

They also confirmed my mailing address as a moved out of state several months ago.
Scam
March 13, 2020
Nobody is getting a refund it's been over 2 years now and when u can they can't tell u when I get a check or whatnot they just say wait for letter or check there should be place to go with your name and status but isn't I'm sick of waiting
FTC Staff
March 13, 2020

In reply to by Scam

Refund checks worth about $153 million are going out to over 109,000 people who sent money to scammers through Western Union wire transfers. The first refunds are going to people who signed and returned a pre-filled claim form and agreed with the dollar amount stated on the form. Gilardi & Co. started to mail the checks on March 11, 2020. 

The Gilardi & Co. website says they expect to make decisions about more claims in the next four months. Look at Question # 8 on the Frequently Asked Questions page.

J H
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Scam

I received a refund check today. I was surprised. 15 years after I was scammed
adisatope27
March 16, 2020
Is very good
David from Iowa
March 14, 2020
received my check today in the full amount of my claim ($560.00)!
J H
March 22, 2020

In reply to by David from Iowa

I received one as well for my loss of 5,600.00 I am still apprehensive to cash it, Fearful it may be a other scam.
Ferrellquinton72
March 14, 2020
I will like an updated on my refund that I was waiting on my name is Quinton A Ferrell
Return to top