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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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Shopping and Donating
Iz12
April 07, 2020
Is there an update on when we can expect checks?
Bonnie
April 08, 2020
How do I get a name change my sister is deceased, I am the administrate of her estate. I submitted a death certificate with the petition?
DC
April 08, 2020
Have not received my refund check yet. I thought I would have it by now. I did not receive any requests for additional information. I am in the US.
Interested party
April 09, 2020
How long would the review process be if you haven’t received a check yet
tlp2
April 09, 2020
I agreed with the amount on the letter that was sent to me but still haven’t gotten a check in the mail. How do I know if My case has been reviewed and approved? I didn’t change the amount so I assume I should be in the first phase?
JLOW
April 09, 2020
I was scammed out of 82k western union only sent me reciepts for 3k hardest company I have ever dealt with trying to get my reciepts. Is gilardi & Co going to verify with WU to get my actual dollar amount back or am I stuck with only 3k?
DRP
April 09, 2020
I posted a question and it was skipped over. Can I get an answer please?
Kels
April 11, 2020
I have received mine.
Barry
April 12, 2020
READING BETWEEN THE LINES ON THE COMMENTS POSTED,THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED THERE CHECKS ,WELL DONE,,BUT THOSE WHO HAVE NOT OR STILL WAITING ,FOR THE NEXT ISSUE OF CHECKS,I THINK PROBABLY HAVE FILLED OUT ALL THE CORRECT FORMS ,,,THE FTC HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION ,FROM DATA AND DOCUMENTS TO CROSS AND DOUBLE CROSS CLAIMS,,,,WHERE I BECOME A BIT EDGY ,IS " THOSE WHO FILLED OUT PRE -FILLED FORMS AND AGREED WITH THE SUM OF MONEY"WERE SENT THERE CHECKS ,ALL READY,,I PERSONALLY WAS NEVER EVER SENT A PRE-FILLED FORM TO SIGN,,,ALSO ON THE UPDATE POSTED ,THE FTC SAID" NO PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE UNTIL ALL PETITIONS ARE REVIEWED",,,,VERY STRANGE ITS KNOW 2020,I THINK MY CLAIM IS STILL UNDER REVIEW,,,,,THE PEOPLE BEHIND, THE DECISIONS,AND SENDING Of CHECKS,ARE A BIT TO GOOD FOR NE TO UNDERSTAND
Mary
April 14, 2020

In reply to by Barry

Ur probably right.i did get a letter an it didnt have an amount but they did try to get me to take a lower amount then what i was scamed out of they crazy had my proof.still waittin on my check
Concerned 08
April 13, 2020
I did my claim online as instructed and before the deadline. However I have moved since then and live in an entirely different state, and I have left several messages at Gillardi & Co, and have not received a call back. I also email one the people who sent me info to see if they could contact me with. Never received a reply. it was a substantial amount of money, what should I do to get them my new information, and when did they start sending out payments?
mardog98
April 15, 2020
I got verified for a certain amount but haven't received my check yet. Because of Corona Virus, not sure if the checks got mailed out.
naranjochi
April 15, 2020
why? i do not received the full amount that i lost ,after i talk to a representative told sent the all paper work again sent by air mail to the western union company remission administrator at louisville ky adress no respond
lisa w
April 16, 2020
I signed and returned my ore filled claim but hav not received a check in mail I live in Canada when can I expect letter
Tracey
April 17, 2020
How can I update my address or direct deposit information to be sure I receive my check?
khannah1939
April 20, 2020
I have had multiple communications concerning this settlement and have yet to receive any positive results.
Jpeguero
April 21, 2020
According to this ,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. I did agree and the letter back, you also confirmed my new address but when I am trying to get an update from you a get complete silence. How come you can’t even tell me what’s the delayed.
Vincent Badalamenti
April 22, 2020
refund for western union check that was returned to me that I sent
Ruden_2020
April 23, 2020
How do I know if my check has been mailed or when can I expect it’s arrival?
Murphman
April 23, 2020
Can I ask when will payments start outside of the USA. Thank you.
cjay
April 24, 2020
I am in Canada and was advised my check was mailed April 9. I haven't received it yet. I know the amount of my check. How is it mailed to Canada. There is no help with this. I waited so long and now its finally over, I still am in limbo.
Junior2k8
April 25, 2020
Hello , I filed the claim online for the prefilled amounts sent to me by Gilardi in 2017 , I did this online , I called up the administrators and they said I have not been added to this first round of distribution, why would that be I agreed with the pre filled amounts , they not giving me any info and I have not even received any form of letters anything since 2017 , they said I am under the next review in June , however I don’t understand , will they be asking me for more info or will I just get the check ? . I’m from the UK
kallen
April 25, 2020
I filled my claim about 1 year ago and no check yet?
WESTERN UNION VICTIM
April 26, 2020
I have waited two years for reimbursement as a victim of Western Union. Victims were told that claims would be paid in 6 to 12 months. I am growing concerned that these funds are not being distributed as promised and that victims are getting scammed a second time.
Turtle46
April 27, 2020
Just wanted to thank you - I received a check for the full amount I was scammed for ($5000) on my birthday - March 24th! Very uplifting to that protections for the vulnerable exist and so grateful to have been refunded money I needed - thank you for the efforts.
Zee
April 29, 2020
I'm in Australia & just like everyone else there has been little correspondence from the Administrators. Given the huge amount of claims I can understand. How ever a group email once in a while would have been appreciated to keep us all up to date. If we all get our money back I consider ourselves very lucky. I was scammed with a very sophisticated shares program. First & last time. I will never be caught again.
Bill Boon
April 30, 2020
Hello I have received a check but I cannot redeem the check in the Netherlands. Where and how can I redeem my check, pleas help me.
charlie169
April 30, 2020
Hope FTC will answer a couple questions, 1, the claims that are under review, are they working on them during the COVID-19 shutdown. 2. I sent in a claim for the transfers that I had receipts for, there were about 10 transfers that I did not have a WU transfer # for so I left them off of the claim, as the DOJ might have this info from WU, could this have caused a problem with my claim. I did send in a photocopy of every transfer that I had 3. Are they issuing checks as they verify the claim, or are they holding them and sending them out in batches. 4. As my claim is in for review, would they call for more information. Or is it going to be a surprise when a check shows up 5. I did have a call last year from someone who said they were with Western Union, I was cautious talking to him as I thought Gilardi was handling the claim, could this have been another scam. Thank you Charlie
FTC Staff
May 04, 2020

In reply to by charlie169

Charlie,

Gilardi & Co. is really the best source to answer your questions. They and the US Department of Justice are responsible for reviewing claims, contacting people - as needed - for more information, and issuing checks.

Question #8 on Gilardi's Questions & Answers says it expects to make more decisions about payments within 90 days. 

To reach Gilardi, send email to info@WesternUnionRemission.com, or call 844-319-2124.

charlie169
May 22, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I hate to be stubborn, but reading all the posts, it looks like FTC stock reply is "You can contact Gilardi & Co., the company that is managing the refund program. " And when you do get them, it appears that they have people answering the phone that don't have a clue as to what is going on. My biggest fear now is, is Gilardi & Co fees coming out of the $586 million settlement and are they milking this for all it is worth. In March they said it would be settled in 90 days for the ones they are contesting / verifying, which is coming up soon.
Rhonda Works
May 01, 2020
I need my check please send.
grenn
May 04, 2020
why are they REVIEWING IT I PUT MINE IN AS SOON AS I GOT IT its may and have not received anything
karen66
May 06, 2020
Hi, I live in Canada. I never received anything by mail. I did receive an email about it so I filled in all my info including copies of all the receipts for all my money lost thru western union for a scam for a loan. Just wondering as mine didn't have any amt of what I could get i just had to submit the form online. I got a Thank you for filing your petition online on 11/17/2017 10:27:29 PM. and a claim number.
lenok123
May 07, 2020
good morning. Please help me. My brother, who lives in Russia, received check from the Western Union Company but on the Huntington National Bank blank. check number [number removed] , date 03/19/2020, amount $7737.67 . 1) is this a real check? 2) he was not able to cash the check in Russia. How can he do it?
FTC Staff
May 07, 2020

In reply to by lenok123

Please contact Gilardi & Co., to ask about the check. That is the company that manages the refund program for the US Department of Justice. Send email to info@westernunionremission.com. or call 1-844-319-2124.  There is also an address where you can send mail. Go to the website to find that. There are questions and answers with more information on the Gilardi & Co. website.

Rkirk71
May 06, 2020
I received a check but no bank will cash it. It's from Huntington national Bank and says United States vs Western Union company and I have the letter and still can't get it cashed cause bank says something about routing number is off and it's due to expire next month so what can I do????
ken
May 08, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

this cheque administration is a disgrace..what is Gilardi doing? are they competent to do this government work? seriously????
Margit Katharina
May 07, 2020
Does anyone know when the last Checks will be send out. In the FAQ is written in the next 3 Month, two month are over now
cristinasstoica13
May 14, 2020
Hello to all, I received the check-paper, but in my country the bank dont works with this type of transactions, i cannot withdraw my money from them, can everybody help me with an reply about this situation? I gave them a mail few days ago, but there was not any feedback, can you help me with an advice? When i call to them number, the robot speak to me 5 minutes and in the final close the phone. Thank you in advance!
Inese
May 27, 2020

In reply to by cristinasstoica13

Hey, I have the same situation. But sorry - I also don't know what else to do. So I am doing the same - writing here.
Oajayi10
May 11, 2020
Please I want to know when will I receive the check? I live in Chicago and I am yet to receive anything in the mail. I filled the form and sent it back so I should be part of the first batch to receive a check. Can we verify or track this somehow online? Waiting too long for this to be happening now.
Roby
May 10, 2020
I read all the comments because I have the same problems of some people: I'm a victim of a Romance Scam and I send a petition for refund to westerunion remission after the deadline, when I call they give me different version everytime, one time they say me to wait because after the deadline the DOJ decide, so I read here that is necessary wait 120 from when?march? another time the representative at 844-319-2124 tell me that she don't see my name on their system and that is not a garance be included now, but I think they don't understand my italian name and last name. I send another email asking for the ID CLAIM as the operator suggested me, but till now I didn't recieved any answer, so I'm reading all the comments. I think is better send the prefilled claim with the MTCN number of the transfer, I asked in the email 2 times without an answer. For me is important recieve the refund! But I don't have sure answer and the time only pass.... I want do the maximum for obtain the refund, is better I send all the informations and the recept of the sending with westerunion? Thank you
FTC Staff
May 11, 2020

In reply to by Roby

In March, 2020, Gilardi & Co. sent checks to some people who agreed with the prefilled claim forms. Gilardi says that by July it will make decisions about sending more checks. 

Please call Gilardi or send email again. If you have more questions, please write to this blog again. 

Roby
May 13, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Gilardi answer me that if I had no filed a claim with them already the deadline to do so was 09/30/2019... but I ask to be included now and write that I know about their decisions to send more checks by july. What can I do?
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