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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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Sam
May 11, 2020
How can I find out if I get my money back I’ve sent every paper they sent me
Sally Smith
May 11, 2020
I just recently found my paperwork from a western Union scam from 2006, can I be a part of this Class Action Suit?
FTC Staff
May 12, 2020

In reply to by Sally Smith

You can contact Gilardi & Co., the company that is managing the refund program to ask about that. 

As of September 30, 2019, the online submission process for Petitions for Remission was closed. It is up to the US Department of Justice to decide whether to accept mailed claims that are postmarked after September 30, 2019.  

Ömer Dağdeviren
May 12, 2020
I received an email informing me that my check will was mailed in mid-March. However, even though we arrived in mid-May, the check has not yet arrived. I live in Turkey. How long will it reach me?
Dianne1461
May 14, 2020
I'm from Australia and my late father was scammed of some $82,000. I'm just wondering if anyone in Australia that is in this class action claim has received any money / cheque in settlement of their claim. I'm a little concerned reading some of the comments about receiving cheques and if we will be able to actually bank them here in Australia.
by
May 15, 2020
I know that this is a process. My deceased father fell victim to one of the ‘elderly scams’ yrs ago - he lost close to a million dollars. Multiple second mortgages, the whole 9 yards... it was bad. I see the distribution amounts versus the amount of claims probably determines how much each petitioner will get back. Any idea what the percentage is? Thank you.
Godchild72
May 17, 2020
when the 2nd round of checks come out, im still waiting on mines
Christine
May 18, 2020
Hello, I submitted my western union claim With documentation before the deadline. Last week , I reach out by telephone to Giraldi about my claim status. I have not heard back from anyone. Are they not in the office? I emailed them also, how long does it take for them to respond to Email?
Christine
May 18, 2020
I sent my claim form online before the deadline line. I emailed and called Giraldi & co. Last week. No response yet. Are saying wait until June or July for a response?
Mandymac
May 19, 2020
I received my check today but I can't cash it. The bank says it it's not any good. Can you help me figure out how to cash this check.
Still Waiting
May 19, 2020
Why did I not receive a form to return being the first group to be paid? What determined who was sent a form? How do we know how much will be paid to us? I will sure appreciate getting at least some of the scam money back. Thank you!
Nal
May 19, 2020
I filled out, signed and returned the pre filled info and I still have not received a payment. I called and spoke to someone at the lawyers office yet I could get no info as to wether they even approved my case for refund. How am I supposed to know if I will get my refund.
Marypat McKinley
May 20, 2020
Anyone know how much each petitioner gets back? Is it for the whole amount lost (minus fees of course)? Or is it a token percentage?
Marius
May 21, 2020
Hello, Could you please tell me where can I cash the check. I'm from Romania, and a few days ago I went to Raiffeisen Bank but I was denied.
BethAnne
May 21, 2020
Anybody know if people are getting a full refund of what they lost? Or just a part of it?
Margit Katharina
May 23, 2020
I ask again if my claim is still reviewed with my claim ID, i got the same automatic answer that the claims are under review. I dont understand that they dont Look in their database, type in my claim id at Could tell me if everything is ok and if i will be get it the next weeks or if there is something to clear an if they need Information from me.
Rnnjb
May 26, 2020
How can I be sure this check is for real? Seems to good to be true
Inese
May 27, 2020
I am one of the lacky, who got the check! And I am so thankful for this justice. But I have a problem, that in my country (Latvia) no one no longer accept checks. The same situation is in neighboring countries (Lituania and Estonia) and even in Sweden. Other borders are closed because of the viruss, but there is limited time to cash out the check. Is there any other way to get back this money - for example, transfer to a bank account? I also called to the administrator, but there is only autoresponder. And there is no reply in my email either. I realy don't want to lose this money again. Is there ani solution?
grenn
June 03, 2020

In reply to by Inese

u have to wait at the end when u call last question then press one
Wessollek petra
May 27, 2020
I am victim .living in germany..i sent you all documents you need long time ago..can you tell me when and how and how much money i will get back? Is it importent from wich country..kontinent i am? Are american victims first?.this wouldnt be the right way...
FTC Staff
May 27, 2020

In reply to by Wessollek petra

Gilardi & Co. started to send refund checks in March 2020. Refund checks are going by mail to some people in the United States and in Europe. 

Please ask Gilardi & Co. for information about your refund. You can send email to info@WesternUnionRemission.com. The Gilardi & Co. website has questions and answers about the refund program.

masrah millhëlljen
May 28, 2020
I am in Iceland and my elderly parents got scrubbed in 2005. Does any body know if people are receiving the whole refund of what they lost or just a token percentage?
nbhollingswort…
June 16, 2020

In reply to by masrah millhëlljen

My mother was defrauded of a large some of money, some through MoneyGram International and some through Western Union. During the MoneyGram settlement, we received the full amount that we filed for. So proud of our government for punishing these companies that allow this fraudulent activity to go on.
THONG NGO
May 29, 2020
REQUEST WESTERN UNION TO MAKE PAYMENT NOW.
pat binh vu
May 30, 2020

In reply to by THONG NGO

Have you filed a claim? I’d contact the law office. The number is all over this posting
TTaylor
May 29, 2020
Hello. I actually received a pre-filled form but ended up submitting my claim electronically before the deadline. I never received a check. I have reached out on several occasions asking specifically about my claim via email and have been given scripted answers. No one answers on the phone number listed. I feel like I’m getting the run around all over again. Is the a direct contact that I can speak to about my case? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
AG
May 30, 2020
What is the approximate percentage people will see? About 4-5% of their losses? Just wondering
Vu G
May 30, 2020
I filed on behalf of an estate to get funds back. Does anyone know IF: 1) if whole amount of $ lost gets refunded or just part of it? 2) if it’s refunded in name of those who lost money or if it’s refunded to the estate administrator? Thanks.
tonybermudez
May 30, 2020
i fill out the form how do i know if i am getting a refund
crod
May 31, 2020
I sent the claim form electronically and I have not receive a check. Is there a way to check the status of my refund?
sKc
May 31, 2020
So we fill out all this paperwork to just get like maybe anywhere from $20 to $200 back?!?! I’m guessing it’s only part of the money lost, right?
Greg
June 04, 2020
When we filled out this paper work they wanted to know where the $ was sent from. It was sent from Poland while I was on holiday. Well they went and sent a check to my wife there in Poland. Here is the thing, Poland does not and has never ever has used checks. This is useless to us. Further more since we filled out the paper work over 4 years ago, we have got married and it in her maiden name. I have emailed the info@ westernunionremission. com over two full months ago and still they have not answered back !!! I even called Western Union here in America where I live and gave them the check number, name on the check and the claim ID #. They told me they can not find it !!!! How are we going to fix this problem ??
Checking for my dad
June 04, 2020
We filed paperwork. After several years we received a letter agreeing to an amount, he signed it and returned it. How much longer before he gets a refund? It has been a long wait again!
Wolf_Pack
June 04, 2020
I sent all the information requested as soon as I got it back in June 2018. How was the decision made to whom to send checks first? When will I be getting a check?
Marc Nicholson
June 04, 2020
Yea - it’ll prob be only just a fraction of what was lost. Enough for a gourmet cup of coffee, or a dinner if you’re lucky..
Ssj
June 04, 2020
We have not received our remission check. We agreed with the amount on the forms. What is the hold up in providing the additional remission checks? When will the additional checks be sent to the remaining fraud victims?
Scammed then i…
June 04, 2020
In 2004 I was scammed out of 11,000 I reported it & nothing g had happened. I never even heard about this case until just now! How is this possible that some people get $ back & others are ignored? I am totally disabled & live on SSDI
Jamay
June 04, 2020
I received the checks and like to know if its in US$ or CA$? I live in Canada
Noahsark1001
June 16, 2020

In reply to by Jamay

Jamay, It is in US dollars, If you notice it is a US cheque. This can't be deposited into your Cdn account, it has to be cashed or if you have US account it can be put into that. I tried to put into my Cdn account through an ABM and it would not accept it. With the US dollar so high, its a nice bonus for us way up here in the Great White North ;-). Happy you got your money back :-)
NHalle
June 05, 2020
Dear FTC Staff, Thanks for making the effort of replying to everyone here. I have receivedd my check. The problem is that my banks here in Belgium don't accept international checks anymore as this payment method is viewed as obsolete in the current times. Do you know if there is an alternative payment method available? Thanks in advance AOC
SY
June 05, 2020
When i was scammed 4 years ago i didn't think I will ever see my money again. Thank you so much for helping us. I got my cheque today and it is a great feeling to have during this pandemic.
Liz
June 05, 2020
So the first round of recipients got 100% of their loss refunded. Are the rest of the claimants also getting 100%? I filed a claim years ago and last year when they requested proof I sent the transcripts from Western Union. For some reason I’m assuming that not everyone will get 100% of their losses so who decides how much money one will receive? I don’t understand why everyone wouldn’t be refunded at the same time and get the same percent of their loss refunded.
Fayzer
June 05, 2020
What is the % of lost amount that is being paid out? Example; 80 cents on the dollar.
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