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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.

 

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FTC Staff
September 28, 2020

In reply to by Still waiting

On September 23, 2020, we posted a blog saying refund checks worth about $147 million are going out to almost 33,000 people who sent money to scammers through Western Union wire transfers.  Those checks are in addition to the $153 million in checks announced in this blog. 

You can get updates at www.westernunionremission.com. Gilardi & Co. posted an update on September 23, 2020.

Oktabnyc
September 29, 2020
I just received my check today from the second round. They started the second round on September 23, 2020.
Sarah9937
September 28, 2020
I just got a check and it says the check is from national huntington bank. The letter is from United States v. The Western Union Company. Kinda worried about cashing it.
FTC Staff
September 30, 2020

In reply to by Sarah9937

Huntington National Bank is the bank that Gilardi & Co. uses when it sends people checks in the Western Union case.

Mzboro
October 03, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I received a check can you please tell me how the check is spouses to look. I wan to make sure there cash it. I took it to Walmart and they ran the check through the system and said it couldn't be cashed please help. Everytime I call the 1844 number it just says q&a noone is ever answer.
FTC Staff
October 06, 2020

In reply to by Mzboro

Did you send a claim to the US Department of Justice and Gilardi & Co? The refund checks are only for people who sent claims.

The checks come with a letter that says United States vs Western Union. The checks come from Huntington National Bank. If you have trouble cashing the check, please call Gilardi & Co. at 844-319-2124.

Jan
September 29, 2020
I received my check yesterday, 9/28/20, for the full amount of my loss minus fees. Thank you FTC.
Sted
September 29, 2020
I wanted to update all of you on my situation. I recently posted that I haven't had any communication regarding the case in over a year and half and we never agreed to the second offer which was for $6K. My total loss was around $25K but with all that said, I received a check for $21K! This was totally unexpected and I am truly grateful. So there is hope that the checks are going out even though they aren't communicating. Good luck everyone, I am praying that you receive something and more importantly the closure that I wanted.
GodisWatching
September 30, 2020
Thank you FTC for helping me fight to get some of my money back from these scammers, rats, indolent, shameless, and heartless people. I am very grateful for you guys to have worked hard to make this wrong right. Thank you very much and God continues to Bless America the great.
Misty
September 30, 2020
Do you have to report the refund check to the IRS?
Jose A.
October 01, 2020
I got my check last week dated Sept 23rd 2020. It says United States Vs. Western Union and the bank is Huntington National Bank. Does this check out or am I being scammed again?
FTC Staff
October 01, 2020

In reply to by Jose A.

Huntington National Bank is the bank Gilardi & Co. is using for payments in the Western Union case. On September 23, 2020, refund checks worth about $147 million started going out to almost 33,000 people who sent money to scammers through Western Union wire transfers.

Jimmy
October 04, 2020
Thank you. I received my check in Sept. Going through my stack of mail today and something said read this before you shred it .It was the check. Valid only for a couple months (Dec). Why is it only good for 90 days?
Tissa
October 06, 2020
OK so I finally got a reply by email that my cheque was posted out on the 23/09/2020. I haven't received it as yet but hopefully soon.
ZAKKIYAH
October 10, 2020

In reply to by Tissa

There are not telling the truth! I have been waiting since May 2020 when I called in to confirm my address location and a new replacement check was told sent out, reissued, needed confirmation, and returned. On September 23, 2020 I learned they sent the second batch of checks out. Why still haven't I received my replacement check?
Surfergal
October 06, 2020
I can’t believe I finally received my Western Union Settlement Claim filed in 2017! I verified the credentials and the check I received is legitimate. I was concerned this check was also another scam but it is not.
Caligirl350
October 06, 2020

In reply to by Surfergal

Did u get an email? Everytime I call to get a status update I get told different things.
ZAKKIYAH
October 10, 2020

In reply to by Caligirl350

Same here! And mines was supposed to been delivered in the first batch of checks, which was March 11, 2020.
John808
October 07, 2020
I got mines but how will I cash the check when I dont have a bank account ??
Texas
October 10, 2020

In reply to by John808

That's great John808 - You can open an account with the check...
jstein
October 07, 2020
I received a check last week. My scam cost me $3,000 but I only received a $500.00 check. The "reason" was "no record with Western Union". Meanwhile, the MTCN for both amounts ($500 & $2500) were obtanied from my Western Union Receipt. WHY??
FTC Staff
October 08, 2020

In reply to by jstein

We posted a blog on September 23, 2020 about refund checks going out to people.

It says that the US Department of Justice plans to provide a way for people to provide additional documentation to support claims that haven’t been approved yet. When there is information about how to provide additional documentation, DOJ will post it on the Western Union Remission site.

Changes30
October 27, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I'm trying to understand the check were issued out and have a void date on them. Due to the many shut downs are they gonna be any adjustments made.
Pookied
November 03, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I received a letter telling me that one of my claims was a duplicate but I sent in two claims how do I contact yall
FTC Staff
November 04, 2020

In reply to by Pookied

If you have questions about your check or your claim, please call the administrator at 1-844-319-2124.

Rita
October 09, 2020
Wow, thank you I just received a cheque but was not sure it was legit. It says US v the western union company. I just hope the bank will not give me issues.
Roby
October 12, 2020

In reply to by Rita

Hi Rita, are you italian? It' a typical italian name. I'm waiting my cheque in Italy and reading everyday the blog on FTC website I'm tring to understand if Gilardi &Co start to send the cheques in Usa and then abroad, or in the same time everywhere
Tissa
October 09, 2020
Hi FTC my cheque was posted out on the 23/09/2020 but I have not received it as yet. I have emailed Gilardi but no reply. I am in Melbourne Australia. please advise.
Anet
October 21, 2020

In reply to by Tissa

Melbourne is in lockdown remember, and mail is taking about 4 weeks from the US
Texas
October 10, 2020
I was a victim of the "Romance Scam" which I lost roughly 250k USD... These men/women are relentless. I followed the WU claim as I first saw it on the tele. Did my due diligence and filled out the forms. I just received my check with the transaction summary for which I filed and is what I could find with the mtcn numbers as I wired most of the money. I hope you all can get some of your hard earned money back. I'm thankful that I at least got some of it back.
Ms. PMS
October 13, 2020
I got the paperwork in 2018/2019 about being reimbursed of the $4,000 plus I sent to a scammer thinking I was working on a job in 2008, I agreed with the amount that I was owed & I filled out/signed the form & sent it back in the next day. I have been following the case & I saw where some people received checks in March of this year (2020) & I saw where a second round of checks would be going out on Sept 23, 2020. I have not received mine yet & I called the 1-844-319-2124 number & gave my info & was told mine was mailed out to me on Sept 23, 2020 at my address which has been the same for the past 16 years & I still have not received it.
James
October 14, 2020
I have received a letter along with my cheque. As I live in Australia, Which bank in Australia accept this cheque? Thank you in advance
John808
October 18, 2020
Hi I got mines in the mail and do I cash it out at any banks or no??? Plz help
apruizz
October 20, 2020
When will the second round of refund checks be sent?
chiara London
October 21, 2020
Thank you very much for getting my money back. I am very grateful.
Caligirl350
October 23, 2020

In reply to by chiara London

I wonder when the rest of us are going to get ours?
Enes
October 23, 2020
Hi, I received my check today and I am so much happy about this. However, I called and went to banks today but none of them recognize this check and they cannot help getting my cashback. Even I called WU and they cannot help me because it check doesn't include MTCN number. So how can I convert this check to cash? I contact with gilardi and I have sent mail about this issue. I hope that I can convert it into cash. If anyone had the same issue and had solved it, can you explain how can you get your cash? Thank You.
Tracy
October 24, 2020
I got the check The refund checks will come from “United States where can I cash the check
Vonnie8
October 29, 2020
Hello FTC, I signed and filled in my pre-claim form in 2017. I have spoken with Gilardi representatives since April 23, 2019 and have not received my reimbursement as of October 2020. Each time I call their representatives' states, my request is being "reviewed," although I was told in 2019, my claim went to the next round of DOJ review? Do you know why it's taking so long for Gilardi to review and process claims?
Tremblay
October 29, 2020
Je demeure au Canada et après 16 ans je reçois le $5000 que m’avait volé un individu sur le web. Je croyais cet argent perdu à jamais. Merci au Département de la justice américaine. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I live in Canada and after 16 years I receive the $ 5000 that someone stole from me on the web. I believed this money was lost forever. Thanks to the US Department of Justice.
ms lucy
November 01, 2020
Hello i recived a check today 11/1 /20 from Douglas v the western union the name of the bank is Hunting National Bank is it real
FTC Staff
November 03, 2020

In reply to by ms lucy

If you have questions about your check or your claim, please call the administrator at 1-844-319-2124.

Jean
November 02, 2020
Hi. I’ve received my cheque, but unsure if I should cash it as I don’t want to get scammed again. How do we know it’s legit and how come it’s voided only after 60 days??
FTC Staff
November 03, 2020

In reply to by Jean

If you have questions about your check or your claim, please call the administrator at 1-844-319-2124.

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