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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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AG
January 23, 2021

In reply to by Scott

Same thing for me! What is the deal? That - why is western U being so completely unhelpful? It’s not like they have to pay any new money. This has already been settled. !
JB
January 17, 2021
Western union says they cannot go beyond five years back in helping to obtain transaction receipts. How completely unhelpful!
WT
January 31, 2021
Western Union will not release receipts of money transactions from 2016 and before that. This is ridiculous. How do we get these ?
MM
February 03, 2021

In reply to by WT

Yes, I’m getting told the same thing. I need to get some more proof for a few of my transactions. When I called Western Union, they say they cannot go back past five years. I feel like they are stalling. There is no help from department of justice either. I have called the DoJ money laundering an asset recovery section, and I keep getting their voicemail. No return calls.
SGT36
February 05, 2021

In reply to by MM

Okay good to see I’m not the only one here. The remission attorneys asked for more back up and when I contacted W.U. to get transaction history, they flat out told me that they don’t keep records past the five years. I smell a big cover-up here.
FH6363
February 25, 2021
Great - a new nothingburger update posted on 2/5. westernunionremission.com
Melissa K
February 09, 2021
Hello, what’s going on with the remission? I have been waiting, along with many others, for over three years. I keep getting told by the remission company that my claim is being reviewed. I had to obtain two other transaction receipts from Western Union. Western Union now tells me they cannot go back to 2015 to help me with my needed two receipts. This is ridiculous! Nobody at all can help me at the remission company, and DOJ doesn’t provide any answers. PLEASE HELP, FTC! Any advice?
Martin Henry
February 21, 2021

In reply to by Melissa K

I’m getting told the same thing that W.U. can’t provide records of past transactions from before five years. This seems pretty shady to me.
Frank S.
February 21, 2021

In reply to by Martin Henry

Seems very shady . I cannot get the proof I need . Western Union is stonewalling . Why ?
Sally A
February 14, 2021
I also posted on the other thread about the $153 mil. I’m starting to think this is completely a scam. I have submitted numerous receipts (my elderly stents were scammed for over four years) and now Western Union say they cannot provide any help in getting records from 9 years ago. I’ve gotten receipts and transactions from them that were over TEN years old before. By the time I finished going around and around in circles with Western Union and their executive department, I was so frustrated I tried to call (again) the remission company. I’ve gotten cut off twice then finally talked to somebody who told me that there is nothing they can do without proof of those receipts that Western U. has so conveniently made unavailable. What is going on? DoJ hasn’t been of any help and I cannot get in touch with anybody at the FTC. Nobody is of ANY help. This is now a complete runaround.
Western Union …
February 24, 2021

In reply to by Sally A

Hi Sally- I have been given the same excuses from Western Union. I have requested, numerous times, transaction receipts from them. They tell me that they don’t have records prior to five years. I guess their records previous to 2016 just evaporate or go up in smoke. This is crazy. How does such a large company, as global as Western Union, not be accountable and delete records from five years prior and before that? Have you had any luck? Anyone else?
Lissabet
February 15, 2021
Hello, I apologize as I haven’t read all the comments yet . I contacted Western Union and the tell me they do not have records from my losses in 2015 . They don’t keep records this long. I feel this is a lie and the company is trying to avoid paying out any further .
Sonia G
February 18, 2021

In reply to by Lissabet

Yes, I’m getting told the same thing from Western union. This is a scam
Mike
February 16, 2021
Western Union won’t provide receipts longer than five years ago
Deb
February 19, 2021

In reply to by Mike

Yeah, I’ve had the same issue. And contacting Western Union for back ups, I’ve been told they destroy any receipts before 2016. This is ridiculous and I feel that Western Union is not being honest. Why would they do this, when this has already been settled? I feel that Western Union is avoiding any more payments, so don’t have to accept the guilt of being complicit in these complete scams they help facilitate.
LBF
February 27, 2021
I, like most of you, I’ve had issues in obtaining receipts with Western Union. I filled out the forms for the request of transaction history, which takes about three weeks to complete. Western Union finally responded back and said they do not keep records from 2006 and 2007.(the years I need) my elderly mother was sadly bilked out of many of thousands of dollars. Western Union has shown that they’re unwilling to help, likely have falsified records, stating that they don’t keep receipts that far back, and they flat out lie, stating that they are unable to provide transaction history at all. I have filed several complaints against Western Union, and now I’m waiting for the next step. Western Union Remission company is of no help. What is everybody else doing that needs receipts and any records of their transaction history?
Jda1430
March 12, 2021

In reply to by LBF

They have refused me my records, even after being able to provide THEM with a lot of info. I have now filed complaints with the States Atty, the FTC (still waiting to hear back) and will with the DoJ. This is criminal and nothing is being done!
Lissabet
March 02, 2021
Hello, any answer or advice? Western Union is refusing to help get my records I asked for. Is this settle-ment also a scam? I find it hard to believe Western Union doesn’t keep records of previous transactions.
SCAMMED
March 03, 2021
I do not believe Western Union learned anything from this. My husband sent $800.00 thru Western Union on 11/30/2021! It was a scam and the money was gone immediately!!
LG
March 03, 2021

In reply to by SCAMMED

Sorry to hear that. It’s probably gone for good and W.U. is just that much richer - the amount of the fee.
Babyaddison5
March 04, 2021
I was scammed and I was told to use Western union how do I get my money back
GS
March 04, 2021

In reply to by Babyaddison5

Unfortunately from the looks of it, you don’t. Seeing all these comments since mine makes me think that this whole thing is providing false hope. Remission company says they can’t help without proof and now western union refuses to give it. Sorry.
Babyaddison5
March 04, 2021
I was scammed and I was told to use Western union how do I get my money back
FTC Staff
March 09, 2021

In reply to by Babyaddison5

You can report problems to Western Union's Fraud Hotline at 1-800-448-1492. You can also report scams to the FTC at www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov. 

mbh1949
March 05, 2021
Western union will not co-operate in giving receipts for verification. What do we do?
Scott
March 15, 2021
Can somebody please help here??? I’ve been asked by the remission company for more receipts. I’ve contacted Western Union and now they say they cannot help me. This is absolutely nuts. What is going on? Why can’t western union help me? It’s not like they don’t know about the settlement and now they say they cannot go back five years. I’ve even paid money for a research fee to Western Union as well. This is completely another SCAM. Folks, do NOT do this. Do not send money.
SB
March 15, 2021
So, Western Union refuses to cooperate and they will not give me any receipts that I requested. What can we do? Nobody at the remission company is of any help, and I’m getting nowhere fast with Western Union. PLEASE HELP!
Frank S.
March 18, 2021
Hello FTC????? What’s going on?
Margit-Katharina
March 21, 2021
I received a mail from FTC at 08/23/2020 that my papers are sent to the DOJ and they hope that the check will be send until the end of the year. They forgot to tell me witch year. No I read that they going on to check our reclaim from 02/05/2021 and hope to finish everything to then end of 2021.
Frank S.
March 31, 2021
FTC, What is going on with Western Union? They will not give me the receipts I requested and they’re not of ANY help. And the western union remission co. phone lines are down. They cut you off either at the start - or before you talk to anybody. Emails go unanswered. This is fast becoming a joke. The whole Western Union ‘Remission’ payout is just a scam - sorry folks.
Lissabet
April 08, 2021
Hello FTC, What is going on with the process!? There has been no communication other than a big nothing update posted on the remission site in early February and I cannot get through to the toll free remission number. My emails go unanswered. I continue to receive coded or encrypted emails (some of which I can’t even see) from Western Union. The ones i actually can see tell me that they cannot get access to records for anything prior to (today’s date from) 2016, which I’m sure isn’t accurate. When I question them about that, they say they can look in their archives for a fee?! Does anyone know anything about that?? This doesn’t seen right at all! They also take a long time to get back with me and when I called upon the Executive Resolutions Office for Western Union , I get thrown around to at least 4 or 5 people who say they CANNOT help me. This is beyond ridiculous! Please CAN’T ANYONE HELP??????? Thank you, Lissabet
SJD
April 11, 2021
What is going on with this remission stAtus? It’s been going on for Nearly five years. Almost half a decade.
sb
April 12, 2021

In reply to by SJD

I guess not only has western union left us out to dry, but now the FTC?
Margit-Katharina
April 19, 2021
I got a messages that the next round comes this spring
RL Smith
April 21, 2021
I’ve been having this problems since November...now...foR the past five months, the Western Union people will not give me records I need from 2012 and early part of 2013. When this whole thing started several years ago, I was able to get and send in my records from 2013. There are several others I need and now Western UNion says they cannot help. Today is 4/21 and they say that the farthest they can go BaCk now 4/21/2016. That’s five years!? Im also told that any records beyond the five years in the past are now unavailable and destroyed. Just like that?? This is absurd. Now western union is pulling a other scam after scamming people out of their hard-earned fund for years! Even decades. THIS IS SO RIDICULOUS. I think this is also a scam from them. Two things: when I contacted the Western Union corporate office in Colorado (Englewood) I was told, for a fee, they could research their record archives. I sent in the supposed research “fee” of $40 and after yet another 3 weeks’ time, I was told again they don’t have records from that log ago!!! How could a company that specializes in the transfer of money not keep ANY RECORDS of transactions that they have done? Red flags really are everywhere! And yea, I shouldn’t have sent in their research fee, but I was told they could pull records out of archive. So is there any way to get these records? Who do I complain to, as there is nobody around to help? I’m just trying to get some proof to get my money I lost back. Thanks.
Got taken
April 25, 2021
Hello I live In saskatchwan Canada and was a victim of the western union.I had filed all my claims that susport my claim .It's been just about two years and I have not heard nothing if I'm even getting a refund back from Western Union .I had gotten a letter in the mail susporting the amount I was getting and agreed to it signed it and sent it back before the deadline and still never heard nothing.Now my question is why is it taking so long to get a refund back or to even hear if I am getting one
Mystica
April 30, 2021
I already provided all the necessary documents but still did not received a refund. Got all my evidence of the money transfer record from Western Union. Its been almost 3 years now nothing happen. When I follow -up got answer still pending under review. I am losing hope.
Margit-Katharina
May 03, 2021
I got a mail that the next round will be send this spring
BFG
May 03, 2021
Are reimbursements still being processed? My mom received a letter stating she was eligible. Please help.
Francine
May 11, 2021
Hello FTC, what is going on with this refund? I submitted back in 2018. When I send my emails to the Western Union Remission email address, I get no response. What is going on with this? Why is it taking so long? Is this also a scam?
Abdula West ak…
May 26, 2021
How do I get my £44,375.00 from scammers?
Don't use youc…
June 11, 2021
Did I get 0ne I don't it in
Margit-Katharina
June 28, 2021

In reply to by Don't use youc…

Also waiting, it's at the DOJ since September 2020
Margit-Katharina
July 08, 2021
I am so Happy. My Check is approved 06/30/21
Melissa K
July 14, 2021
I got a partial refund for a small check. I am embattled with western Union in order to get my receipts -since they “claim” they don’t go back past 5 years, now 2016. So I received a partial remittance. The check is made out in the wrong name, even though I sent multiple times my letters testamentary. FTC has stopped responding to questions and pleas for help, so does anyone know how to get the check reissued? ?
Francine
July 28, 2021
This is beyond the pale. I finally got a refund check back, a very small refund check, not even a quarter of what I claimed. I submitted all the claims, not once but twice. They got all the information they needed, and still issued the wrong amount. So I took the check to the bank, and the bank does not recognize Huntington bank, telling me that there is no way they can do anything with this check, not even hold it. I have emailed Western Union Remission & called the Western Union Hotline several times, and gotten NO info or response. PLEASE HELP!!
FTC Staff
August 02, 2021

In reply to by Francine

Francine,

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

To all the FTC staff
August 12, 2021

In reply to by FTC Staff

I received a letter together with a check and i went to all the Bank here and even a small branches and even my Bank they don’t accept a foreign check and they advise me to tell The Huntington National Bank to put it in my account and they told me that the Japanese Bank don’t accept a check anywhere if you will put it in my bank it is so easy and there is no problem… and they told me too that the FTC gov. know this but still they sent it …. And the void date is September 28,2021 after that it’s just a piece of paper i was told by the bank… and i don’t know what will i do with this check, i wish that they can put it in my account or else if i can claim it on Western Union maybe it is the best , money in minutes and i know am not the only one having a probkem like this … Help us FTC
FTC Staff
August 17, 2021

In reply to by To all the FTC staff

The Federal Trade Commission did not send you a check. Refund checks in the Western Union matter come from Gilardi & Co., a company working for the US Department of Justice. Please contact Gilardi & Co. for help with your refund check. You will find the email address for Gilardi & Co. at www.WesternUnionRemission.com. It is info@WesternUnionRemission.com.

Margit-Katharina
August 02, 2021
The Check was in my post box Saturday 31. Opel the letter and see that, if I want to send additional receipts it must be until 30. What a joke. Guys the post to Germany takes longer as in US. My bank has today accepted the check, now wait until the money ist available
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