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Refund checks worth about $147 million are going out to almost 33,000 people who sent money to scammers through Western Union wire transfers. The $147 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.

 

These refunds are going to people in the US and other countries, including many older adults who lost money to grandparent, lottery, sweepstakes, or romance scams. They will get compensation for 100 percent of their verified losses. This is the second round of payments related to the Western Union settlement. In March 2020, refund checks worth about $153 million went out to more than 109,000 people.

 

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) expects to approve more refunds in the coming months. DOJ also plans to provide a way for people to apply for refunds for the first time, and to provide additional documentation to support claims that haven’t been approved yet. When there is information about how to apply for the first time or provide additional documentation, DOJ will post it on the Western Union Remission site.

 

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 DOJ’s administrator, Gilardi & Co. at 844-319-2124 and WesternUnionRemission.com. Learn more from the FTC at Western Union Refunds.

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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Bet
September 23, 2020
I'm in Canada, and lost money to a scammer. I hope this will apply to people like me too
DOTTIO
September 26, 2020

In reply to by Bet

I lost to 2 scammers 6,000CAD apiece and a person that rooked me for 300,000CAD. I knew the latter personally. When will I get rebated?
FTC Staff
September 30, 2020

In reply to by DOTTIO

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

PegMar
September 23, 2020
What about people who have been scammed thru at least May 2020 thru online romance scams??? I filed a complaint with FTC & Western Union for allowing Western Unions to be sent to Nigeria, when they knowingly had scams ongoing previously. Im out close to $8000 & deserve compensation too since they still allowed this to happen even after a lawsuit for the same thing was in process? Nobody has answered my complaint from the FTC, Western Union denies liability once again & nobody responded from the website I believe was ic3.gov This is very unfair. I had informed all legal authorities & filed complaints without any response, now I see this update & feel like I dont matter. I have & reported every single WU receipt that was sent. Why isnt anything being done about my complaint? Why are Western Unions being allowed to be sent to Nigeria knowing this is a country of fraud & scams? Please, somebody do something about this! I have all the documentation needed to prove my claim. This would be simply unfair considering I was scammed from May 2019 to May 2020. This happening just after WU was guilty of doing what happened to me after they were filed suit therefore allowing it to happen again. I deserve reimbursement. Please help me. Im of course targeted since I'm a single mother of 2 , recently out of a long term relationship. I have Lupus & kidney disease stage 3, due to have a kidney biopsy in 2 weeks for decreased kidney function. This money can be used to support my kids especially in the event of my demise. Do whatever you can. You must have several hundreds of further scam related claims with WU again. Please do something, please!!!!!! Thank you!!! Im so upset about this not being investigated or cared about.
Cp
September 23, 2020
Great, have they been sent? Because I’m in the second group .
NeeditNow
September 24, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

How do you know if you are in this group ? Can you call the 844 number to find out?
Grandpa
September 23, 2020
Myself, my Wife, one of our daughters, and one of our sons all submitted our claims before the initial deadline to submit claims, and now only my claim has been recognized by the system. I have verified our other claims, and hopefully they will be acknowledged .
jcrabman
September 23, 2020
I lost over $2500 purchasing gifts for my children as gratitude for them supporting me while I was dealing with serious permanent physical injuries suffered during an accident. I can only pray that I am fully compensated so that I can compensate them for their efforts.
Annamae
September 24, 2020
Hello I've been using western union for years how will be contacted to know if we will receive a refund
robynsnyder
September 24, 2020
My husband was scammed out of lot money he sent through western union for love scam / inheritance . I have sent proof to our government and because I wasn't fast enough I lose out on the settlement. These scammer are still trying to contact my husband using the same email and phone numbers for over a year but yet our cyber crime can't do a thing about
FTC Staff
September 24, 2020

In reply to by robynsnyder

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) expects to approve more refunds in the coming months. DOJ also plans to provide a way for people to apply for refunds for the first time, and to provide additional documentation to support claims that haven’t been approved yet. When there is information about how to apply for the first time or provide additional documentation, DOJ will post it on the Western Union Remission site.

Smitty
November 17, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Hello, how does the settlement affect taxes? Will this reimbursement require individuals to pay taxes on the amount they won in settlement?
FTC Staff
November 17, 2020

In reply to by Smitty

Please talk with a tax professional about that.

Romance FWY
September 24, 2020
Finally after 5 yrs and 9 months god has answered my prayers Alelluja Thank you all at the FTC and DOJ hopefully I should be one of the 33 thousand people getting justice served . This great and good news besides de COVID 19 and many lives lost.
Cp
September 24, 2020
Great, I called the 844 number and I sent an email to info@WesternUnionRemission.com they responded by email and told me how much I was approved for and that I was in the second group. Finally
Reeree
September 24, 2020
Thank God mine was issued yesterday on September 23. Been waiting 3 years for this check and finally I will have it in the next couple of days. It is much needed right now with all that is going on. Very much relieved.
curious in TN
September 26, 2020
So refreshing to know the 2nd round of payments have started being mailed out. During a time when so many are in need, it is so good to know that at least part of government care about us. Thank you DOJ.
Scary filipina
September 30, 2020
I'm a Filipina a victim of scam in negirian after take my money they did not give me my loan
Margit Katharina
October 01, 2020
My papers are sent at 08/14/2020 to the DOJ. I hope my check is on the way. I write a Mail and ask if its sent 3 days ago, still waiting for a answer
Caligirl350
October 21, 2020

In reply to by Margit Katharina

Me either. The money is dwindling and claims are still being reviewed.
Grandpa
October 04, 2020
My wife, my son and daughter along with myself all received our remission checks this week. Thanks a million to everyone involved.
Bullet
October 04, 2020
This is the first I heard about this. I am a victim of on line dating scam and I file a FTC report. There was Western union transactions. Am I part of this?
FTC Staff
October 07, 2020

In reply to by Bullet

The people who got checks in the second group of refunds already filed claims with the US Department of Justice (DOJ). Did you file a claim with DOJ?

DOJ plans to provide a way for people to apply for refunds for the first time. When there is information about how to apply for the first time, DOJ will post it on the Western Union Remission site.

daviddr12101980
October 07, 2020
can you send me some paperwork
FTC Staff
October 07, 2020

In reply to by daviddr12101980

The US Department of Justice hired Gilardi & Co. to manage the refund process. Go to www.westernunionremission.com to learn about the process. 

Cricco
October 07, 2020
Hi! I am a Swedish lady who got cheated of a small amount. I wonder when and how I will get my refund. I made a claim three years ago and got a reminder a year ago to which I answered immediately.
Western Union …
October 09, 2020
I have requested documents from Western Union for the DOJ at the beginning of this case and within the past couple weeks on 2 separate occasions. These people refuse to send me what I need. I am due another part of my refund so how am I supposed to prove my case if they won't give me the proof I need?
David
November 29, 2020

In reply to by Western Union …

This happened to me - western union has been most uncooperative!
SD
November 30, 2020

In reply to by Western Union …

I cannot get ANY help from Western Union when it comes to obtaining money transfer receipts. They now say they go back only five (5) years. This is a total lie. How could a money transfer corporation NOT keep records farther back??? These are the records the scam victims/remission $$ recipients need! What gives? Please help!
june1943
October 15, 2020
why are some people getting remission checks and the rest of us just sit back and wonder if we will ever see ours. I am a senior and have lost everything to the scammers because of the scammers my health is bad The people who have applied that have not received anything need answers also.
Aug 1951
December 26, 2020

In reply to by june1943

l wounder if you going to send more payments l have done everything you told me to do why have l not got anything what is the hold up
Kiruba
October 17, 2020
Hello Everyone, Today (17/10/2020), I received a letter from the United States / The Western Union Company along with the letter I got a check. The check issued by Huntington Bank and also clearly mentioned valid as my check is till Dec 22nd, 2020 only. I am living in Germany. The Huntington Bank branches not available in Germany. Using Checks in Germany is not popular anymore and most banks deny. So, I am requesting to please provide me a solution - How to collect my check amount or any kind of bank transfer will work as well.
Margit Katharina
October 20, 2020

In reply to by Kiruba

Hi, i am also from Germany. I ask my Bank (Commerzbank) if there is a problem if I get a check in USD. They tell me that its no Problem, They fill out a Formular what I have ro sign. Thats all.
Margit Katharina
October 19, 2020
Did anyone receive a check from the second round?
Veronika
November 11, 2020

In reply to by Margit Katharina

I recieved my check yesterday, but Hungarian banks dont accept. So, another problem.
rspr
October 25, 2020
I have a question, i'm a victim of scam in 2015 i lost money by transaction of Western union, and Money gram. For Western Union, I've sent my letter on 23/10/2020, for refund. i hope i can have my money back, because now i have to go to the food bank. please help me I lost also money by transactions with Money Gram, is it possible to refund? what is the procedure with Money Gram?
Tissa
November 13, 2020
Hi Thank You so much I received my cheque and it has been cashed just in time for Christmas. have a wonderful Christmas.
Margit-Katharina
November 28, 2020
Still wait and wait,,,,,, no answer, only still under review at the DOJ. The papers are there till August, how long must I wait????
Mom’s daughter
December 08, 2020
I have waited close to 3 years for my mom’s check. She was deceased when I filed her claim. I sent all of the supporting paperwork as requested indicating that I am the executor of her estate as well as a co-trustee. Her death certificate was also included with the original claim form. When we received the check it was made out to my deceased mother and no bank will cash it. I requested a name change and that the check be reissued but I have not received a response. At this point I don’t even know if they have found my email or the supporting documents that I have now sent twice. I realize that this is a lengthy process and very time consuming but it would definitely cut down on your correspondence if someone would please respond to our emails. I will continue to call until I get a response from someone who can tell me something. I plan to call the Federal Trade Commission tomorrow to see if someone will help me as there is no one at Gilardi & Co that can help me. I would just like to know that my paperwork has been received and is being processed. Thank you.
KLsmith
December 25, 2020

In reply to by Mom’s daughter

@ Mom’s daughter- have you had any luck getting the check reissued? (Same thing here for my father. )
Pat K
December 26, 2020
Can I get them to reussue a estate check? I’ve emailed them 3 times but no response . Thanks
MaurT
January 04, 2021
I sent In everything needed in time for western Union refund have not heard a thing , what's up with that?
East Coaster
January 05, 2021

In reply to by MaurT

I have the same question. I as well have sent 4 times all the paper work.
Scott
January 11, 2021
Western Union says they ONLY have records for five years prior?!