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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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Barry
July 02, 2020
The claimants who filled ,signed and agreed to the amount on their pre-filled received 100% return,,So if you have filled out the correct documentation and proof ,you should,maybe ,be entitled to 100%,as well,only my logical thinking,,,,,but the reviews go on and on and on
Zee
July 02, 2020
FTC keeps saying if received a pre-filled form then that amount is being refunded. I signed and returned mine certified mail, never got a reply to say it had been received. Surely an email was all that was needed to let people know that the form had been received. I don't understand what the hold up is. What is meant by later in the year. It is now July. How much longer will it be ? I also sent a registered letter and still no reply. Thinking that the longer the money is held the more interest is earned on top of the fees paid to administer the funds. Get on with it and pay every one out.
Zee
July 02, 2020
FTC staff and Gilardi & Co need to be making more comments and answering the questions posted every day. There must be at least one person who can do this. Answers would probably clear up lots of different questions in one reply from all the listed questions.
Roby
July 03, 2020
Hi, I send al my transaction of the scam, the complaint to police and a months ago they answer as I know that the claim after deadline are under review for 120 days. So I'm waiting july for the 2° part of the checks and have my money. Asking to administrator an update of my claim they answer on email the deadline are closed and they don't find my file petition...again a different version! If you call the number you hold on and can't speak with the representative...I feel so bad, I wait without know nothing sure! I ask me where they put in their system the claim after the deadline, they have all the information of mine!
Clint Z
July 06, 2020
My question too- is it a full refund of the amount or just a small percentage refund? Have been trying to find answers. I remember my son got like a $14.37 refund on some sports drink class action -lol!
Hott321
July 07, 2020
No check yet wonder if I am ever going to get it what a freaking joke
tony
July 07, 2020
hi i am from Philippines. I already got my dollar check but sadly i cannot encash or deposit it here in the Philippines. Is there any other way? Is it possible to replace it with Peso check or transfer the funds via western union so i can claim it here directly in peso. they indicate in the letter that i need to encash or deposit the check until July 17 only, or else may remission claim will be dismissed. Please help me. Thanks in advance
Liz
July 08, 2020
Pretty sure the 120 days is over. How much longer is this going to take?
Pam Tate
July 08, 2020
I was actually able to get through calling the # on the website. You have to hold throughout the FAQ, then press 1. (You can skip some questions by pressing 9 I think) - anyway, I was trying to find out If the check can be issued to the executor of an estate (since my father, who was scammed, passed away.) Of course, they can ONLY make it out to the estate of the deceased person. Isn’t there any way to change this? Or does the estate have to be petitioned through the court system to actually be reopened?? What BS.
Vicki G.
July 09, 2020
Has anyone heard anything else about the refund settlement? It has been since 2018 when I sent the information about my loss of money. Why is it taking so long? I see that some people have received theirs while others, like me, are still waiting.
Caligirl350
July 10, 2020

In reply to by Vicki G.

I'm still waiting too. The last update on the website was March 10th. Some of us really need our money...
Catherine
July 09, 2020
Hello, could I get money back? Actually, I I had a email scam ,and sent money to Nigeria by using western union in 2007 . So , I still have eligible to apply for a refund. I’m living in Viet nam
MJ
July 10, 2020
yeah it is taking a long time, Covid or not
MJ
July 12, 2020
So has ANYONE received a check yet???!!
Guiabase
July 12, 2020
Good afternoon , from what I am reading I should have been included in this first round of payments , I have gotten a letter and agreed with the amount and signed it online but still nothing ... they are still sending out those first payments ? Thank you
charlie169
July 13, 2020
7-13-2020 After 35 minutes on hold, I finally got a real person, nice lady who explained that my claim was approved and sent to the DOJ and she was unsure what the hold up was. She thought maybe the COVID-19 might have something to do with it. Hopefully soon?
hockey4life2086
July 14, 2020

In reply to by charlie169

I called in on 07/08 and talked to someone who told me my claim had NOT been sent to the DOJ yet and that she was not sure when that would be. So they might be really behind if all the claims have not even been sent over yet for review :(
kencarraustralia
July 14, 2020
ok so a few weeks ago i called the number with skype and spoke with an operator who claimed she was in Turkey (no Turkish accent) for 10 mins who told me to call back and didnt know much about my case.. i just tried now a few weeks later it hangs up on me both times..this process is a joke, the operators are not in Turkey and are playing games with legitimate high end claims..are they scamming us all over again?
kencarraustralia
July 16, 2020

In reply to by kencarraustralia

ok finally spoke to an american who says decisions are being made now by the government and administration..discussion seemed legitimate and now i believe what she says and decisions are forthcoming, anywho heres hoping!!
MDempsey
July 14, 2020
Hello FTC...? Any news? Please answer ; thanks in advance.
NNewton
July 14, 2020
It has been over 8 years since my mother was scammed of over $20,000. We did all the paper work and received a claim number. Still no check. I know the government is slow, but this is ridiculous. This was all in the works before COVID-19.
I’m still waiting
July 14, 2020
I called today 7-14-20 and the woman told me my claim was sent to the DOJ for final review and approval. She said all she knows is that there is supposed to be an announcement this month. They better hurry up, July is half over already.
Peebles
July 15, 2020
I was scammed in 2012/2013. Been working on trying to get a scammers refund through Gilardi and Company since 2017. Still waiting, and waiting and waiting. It makes one think that the refund will never, ever come. What in Sam “....” is the hold-up?
Nookie 123!
July 15, 2020
Ok I need to know what's going on now with my money since i did'nt receive a prepaid notice which i sure have the hundred and twenty days is up so how much more investigating they need to do this been going on entirely to long I really need my money.
Caligirl350
July 17, 2020
I called to. Basically got told case is still under review. In my opinion checks should not have went out until all cases were reviewed. I submitted my docs and cleared my deficiency and it is still a waiting game. This is really frustrating.
Liz
July 18, 2020

In reply to by Caligirl350

I agree with this. What if they end up depleting the funds before all legitimate claims are fulfilled. Then I guess we are out of luck?
resa bowman
July 17, 2020
Can the FTC provide some answers? Thank you very much
mgtdj
July 17, 2020
soo to everyones concern the lady that i talked to said that checks are coming at the end of the year idpnt get it they lied and said 120 days
Margit Katharina
July 20, 2020
It's very frustrating that we get no concrete Answer
marcarm1956
July 22, 2020
Hello I called twice to the # given for Gilardi who process claims. In April and May told 2 of my claims were already approved and one was pending review. I did send the letter back that I rec'd asking to sendthe letter back indicating the amount that was found for that MTCN#. which I did . I still have no checks yet and the 2 that were approved were done online and they were based on the letters I rec'd that had the preapproved amounts and MTCN#'s that were already on file. When can I expect refund? thanks
Al&Tyler
July 20, 2020
Is there a way I can find out if I'm receiving a check?
Scammedbyp.i.
July 23, 2020
I was scammed by private investigator service using Western Union after the date of this post. Is it possible to get my money back?
SDonaldson
July 23, 2020
Hello, FTC, Any word on when this second disbursement may occur? It’s late July just about now. No concrete answer from Gilardi & Co. Thank you.
charlie169
July 23, 2020
7-23-20 called again, got right in. Today the lady said my claim was not sent to the DOJ for final approval and payment. I don't think anyone has a clue as to what is going on. She said maybe by the end of the year. Now I wonder who is sitting on the $586 million dollars. let's see, simplle 1.5% interest at the local credit union would make about $24,000.00 a day interest. NO wonder they are dragging their feet. I kind of wonder how many of us are senior citizens, heck we may not see this, but then again maybe our heirs will.
Tissa
July 27, 2020

In reply to by charlie169

100% Agree they are in control of the money so they can do what ever they want to do with the money. may be they should given the money to a more competent company to distribute the money to the victims of scam.
Joanna
July 23, 2020
People, You do not have to wait for the Remission money, maybe at the end of the year or next year.I am soo angry
Tissa
July 23, 2020
my comments are not posted
callan
July 24, 2020
My father was a victim, of these scams also, and lost loads. How do we go about recovering our funds too please? Based in London, in the UK.
Tissa
July 24, 2020
FTC Where are my comments
hockey4life2086
July 24, 2020
Will the FTC still garnish refund settlement for defaulted Federal student loans? I know payments and garnishments were suspended until September 30th when the CARES act was passed back in March. Please advise. Thank you
hockey4life2086
July 27, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Thank you I did see question 10 already. However those questions and answers were posted BEFORE the CARES act was passed. Now when you check the student loan website it says this "Suspends collection actions and penalties for borrowers with defaulted federal loans through Sept. 30, 2020" Does that also apply to settlements? thank you
rcathine
August 19, 2020
I received an email from WU that they will refund me in 3-5 business day and this was on July 17, 2020. To this day, I have not received the refund and it is already July 27, 2020. I need help.
Margit Katharina
July 28, 2020
I am from German, we have no social nr and I do not owe anyone money
Roby
July 29, 2020

In reply to by Margit Katharina

The same: in Italy we don't have social nr, so I do not owe anyone money...but I'm still waiting my refund! I want and need my money..and 120 days from march have passed!
FM
July 28, 2020
Anyone know that’s going on ? It’s been over 120 days since the March refunds ! This is crazy....FTC, you all know why the DoJ is taking their sweet time ?
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