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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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Caligirl350
May 22, 2021
Please issue our checks. Loved ones are dying and by the time we see our money things will be too late. We did our part. Please move this along already!
CynicalOne
May 27, 2021

In reply to by Caligirl350

I don't bother to ask any more. It's gotten me nowhere fast. Other than getting the same old canned response. It's a waiting game I don't feel like playing anymore, but I have no choice. This probably won't get posted as it'll be considered a criticism. It's not criticism - it's truth, whether they like it or not.
DES
June 04, 2021

In reply to by CynicalOne

Most of my comments are not very nice enough to post - this waiting and the canned responses are ridiculous!
ProtectYouPriv…
May 28, 2021
I was scammed a couple of times were western union sent money from my account not authorized. or overpaid, no pickup and someone else took it. What is the number to call to get a refund for 2016?
Dakota
May 31, 2021
I filed and received a letter this year but still waiting on my refund.
Don'tkevinb us…
June 08, 2021
A relative of mine received money from this settlement with Western Union. She also sent money to a scammer using Food Lion CB wiring service. Is there, or could there be a similar action against Food Lion in the future? It is something to investigate. Thank you.
Cj1967
June 08, 2021
When will i get my check if i filled my form out online
BethAnne
June 08, 2021
So, I filed for the remission in early 2018. Over 3 years - this is getting ridiculous. Haven’t heard a THING. Is this a scam, too?
Spunky
June 12, 2021
When are we getting the check it's been quite a while and nothing
KS
June 15, 2021
What’s going on with his refund? It’s been years. Also, wasn’t it originally supposed to be $586 million??
James
June 16, 2021
So, I've been friendly through this so process, stuck to calling on a monthly basis (starting October 2020), and to my surprise, received the deficiency letter in February (lack of MTCN which is Clearly identified in police reports and emails). I sent everything back over and verified they received it (again). So far I was told end of 2020, then it was deficient and pushed back to March. Then I was told spring of 2021. Now, I just spoke with them again (who brought up the deficiency), to which they then confirmed they had everything and it is under review (not sure why, you already reviewed everything as you've been sitting on it for literally years). Followed up our conversation with an email (waiting for the canned response), but it seems like no one has it together over this lawsuit!
Thierry
June 17, 2021

In reply to by James

Hi I’ve been having problems like James has. I received a deficiency letter, back in November 2020, after waiting for nearly 3 years. I was unable to re-submit online as they were having difficulty with their website. I then sent (overnighted) everything back to them, only to be told -nearly 2 months later - that I still had not submitted anything, which was not true at all!! At that point, I emailed everything back again, only to receive no response from the western union Remission company. Then finally they asked me for several more MTC Forms, which I was unable to obtain from Western Union. They said they do not go back past five years, so anything prior to 2016 is unavailable. I have looked into this, and even spoken with their corporate office in Colorado. They tell me that anything before 2016 is impossible to get - so who can I speak with about this? This is ridiculous!
Elaine
June 25, 2021

In reply to by James

Your experience is similar to mine with a few exceptions. I have been told on two occasions that my claim was approved. I heard that story for the second time several weeks ago. I called today to ask for any updates re: next round of checks. Imagine my surprise to hear my claim was denied for lack of documentation. The call was disconnected while the agent was using USPS tracking number to find out why my documentation was lost. When I called back and got another agent she couldn’t verify any previous info I was given, today, about the status of my claim. I too have sent an email .
KS
June 29, 2021

In reply to by James

Yes, it sounds exactly like what is going on with my situation. I waited 4 years, and in November 2020, 2 weeks before it was due, I received a deficiency letter. They had all the correct forms, but just wanted me to resubmit. I submitted them again. Had to mail them because of course, the online button wasn’t working properly. So after overnighting all the required information yet once again, I’m told it’s under review. That was in March. Been calling every other week since April 2021 to see what’s going on. Apparently another dispersement was supposed to go out late spring, and it is now almost July and nothing. The FTC has been largely unhelpful. I have emailed numerous times - the author of this article, and no response. I have not gotten anywhere with department of justice, and I know I have the necessary proof from the proper year, but cannot get any response. Same old response from the W.U. info hotline, that it’s under review. This is bordering on ridiculous. It is not laughable anymore. I am really starting to think this is a total scam as well!
Barry
June 18, 2021
I fully agree with ,James,post, there is one hope,for the remainder of us claimants,in February,update out of( $586m),$483m had already been paid out,so there can't be to many more claims "under review", Since 2019,I have received half a dozen emails from the WU remission ,and each is exactly the same "your claim is under review",I have not received any correspondence,in the past couple of years saying my claim was deficient,so I am presuming ,my surname begins with a (W),so my claim has gone to the bottom of the pack,
CynicalOne
June 24, 2021
So, is the Administrator now not answering calls or emails? This is the worst mess ever. Only all or nothing would have been fair unlike this spectacle. Again, call it criticism if you want, it's truth.
LB2021
June 30, 2021
Western Union says they have receipts only dating back for five years. What is going on with this?
Caligirl350
June 30, 2021
There's an update to the western union remission site all!
CynicalOne
July 06, 2021

In reply to by Caligirl350

Caligirl350, I truly hope we are in the group this time around. It's been a long haul and I'm tired.
Anet
June 30, 2021
Thank you for all your hard work
CynicalOne
July 07, 2021
Got a your check's in the mail email today. I'm going to stay skeptical until it's in my hand.
Liz4185
July 10, 2021

In reply to by CynicalOne

I got an email from USPS informed delivery showing a letter from the US vs Western Union. Hoping check is included.
CynicalOne
July 13, 2021

In reply to by CynicalOne

I'm still waiting. Hope that changes today... but of course, I'm staying skeptical until it's in my hand.
Liz4185
July 10, 2021
Just received a check. Approved about 2/3 of loss even though documentation was provided for all claims including MCTN. Will be resubmitting request for claims not approved. Still the process continues. Happy to get a partial refund.
Peebles
July 13, 2021
I received far less than my original claim, so therefore submitted a re-consideration request in October of 2020. I still have not received any reconsideration request funds or news. I’ve been waiting for years for a fair settlement of my loss. How much longer must one wait?
JT
July 14, 2021
Received check yesterday, only for partial amount of refund. My bank now saying they don’t recognize the bank it’s from, and will not take it. I need this money! Covid knocked out my business. And now this nightmare, with a check that I’ve been waiting for nearly 3 years. Please help.
Edward
July 16, 2021

In reply to by JT

My bank wouldn’t recognize the check, either. They would not let me deposit or cash it. So it’s still sitting here, what do I do?
FTC Staff
July 19, 2021

In reply to by Edward

You can contact administrator that sent the checks on behalf the DOJ. Go to www.WesternUnionRemission.com and use the contact information: Email info@westernunionremission.com, or call (844) 319-2124. The check was issued by Huntington Bank.

SB
July 28, 2021

In reply to by FTC Staff

My bank will not accept anything from Huntington Bank. Check has been flagged. This is a scam.
FTC Staff
August 09, 2021

In reply to by SB

The questions and answers on the Western Union Remission website explain that the issuing bank for the refund checks is Huntington Bank. You may want to show your bank this information at www.WesternUnionRemission.com. 

Anet
August 27, 2021

In reply to by SB

why don't you request a wire Transfer. I did. That way you don't have to worry about banks accepting cheques or not. They sent me a Pin number and wire link. I put my bank information in and then they sent and acknowledgement. It takes time to receive but it is better then lost cheques or banks not accepting Huntington cheques. I found the everyone i have spoken to really lovely to deal with and sincere to talk to. remember they have had to deal with millions of requests and check each transaction with Western Union. It is not them making the decisions, they are just carrying out the end results.
Edward
August 09, 2021

In reply to by FTC Staff

I sent an email and it hasn’t been answered. I also have left several messages for the remission case management team to call back; so far I have heard nothing. Took check to another larger branch of my bank and they will not accept it. What do I do?
FTC Staff
August 09, 2021

In reply to by Edward

The questions and answers on the Western Union Remission website explain that the issuing bank for the refund checks is Huntington Bank. You may want to show your bank this information at www.WesternUnionRemission.com. 

Don't use you…
July 16, 2021
I been trying to get my money back seems April 2021 .
dannyjazzy
July 21, 2021
Can I apply for this i been scammed out of about 14 15 thousand
Anet
July 23, 2021
Anyone from Australia received their Cheque yet. If so what state. I am concerned as all overseas mail goes to NSW and cheques are stuck because of the corvid Delta lockdown there.
western union …
July 27, 2021

In reply to by Anet

WU has deleted many victims data and criminal complaints, if that helps, make of it what u will..
Barry
July 28, 2021
In answer to your" Australian", query,no have not received s cheque yet,,but I have been told it has been posted.goodluck
Anet
August 01, 2021

In reply to by Barry

Thanks for the reply. I think the almost total lockdown of the 3 Eastern States will slow down sorting and delivery of overseas mail. I know Australian cheques have a 12 month validity, however unsure of overseas cheques. Also as there is no "Huntington Bank" in Australia, I'm thinking Commonwealth or Citi Bank may process the cheques.
RJWJR
July 30, 2021
Apparently a check was issued to me on 9/30/2020 - however I moved and I didn't get notice and I don't have a notice with a claim number (WUU). I've emailed and supplied my previous address, my current address and my full name, however I get no result. I can also get no live person when I call 844-319-2144. Can you help guide me to take next steps? Thanks
FTC Staff
August 02, 2021

In reply to by RJWJR

Please send a copy of the comment you wrote here to BlogInfo@FTC.gov.

JUDITH
August 16, 2021
I have been dealing with Gilardi & Co. for more than a year. They ask repeatedly for the same information, take months to respond, assure me that a cheque is being issued and then we start all over again. I am seriously concerned that the people I am dealing with are also a scam organization. Does Federal Trade Commission back Gilardi and support their rather sketchy business practices? This is beyond frustrating.
Chezza- Ozzie victim
August 23, 2021

In reply to by JUDITH

I had similar thought processes, however I was wrong as today I received a cheque and the accompanying documentation. Nearly 4 years. I won't be celebrating until cheque is cleared and cash in my account. Bendigo Bank was my choice.
Trobinson9
August 20, 2021
It’s August 2021, when will I receive payment?
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