Western Union Refunds

The Justice Department is sending payments totaling nearly $40 million to approximately 25,000 people in the U.S. and abroad. These payments are the result of settlements between Western Union, the Justice Department, and the FTC.

The Justice Department previously mailed checks in March 2020, September 2020, and June 2021. These previous distributions resulted in more than $365 million returned to over 148,000 victims. The Justice Department anticipates sending additional checks in the coming months.

If you used Western Union to send money to a scammer between January 1, 2004, and January 19, 2017, and you did not already file a claim, you still have time to make a request to get your money back.

How do I file a claim?

To file a claim, you must contact the claims administrator, Gilardi & Co. LLC, at info@WesternUnionRemissionPhase2.com or 855-786-1048.

What is this case about?

For years, many people who lost money to scams sent their payment through a Western Union wire transfer. Scammers contacted people and promised prizes, loans, jobs, discounted products or other financial rewards in exchange for money upfront. They also pretended to be family members in need of cash, or law enforcement officers demanding payment. The scammers told people to send money through Western Union. No one received the cash, prizes or services they were promised.

Because of joint investigations by the FTC, the Justice Department, and the U. S. Postal Inspection Service, Western Union agreed to pay $586 million and admitted to aiding and abetting wire fraud. The Justice Department is now using that money to provide refunds to people who were tricked into using Western Union to pay scammers.

Who is eligible to submit a claim?

People who did not previously submit a claim and who sent money to a scammer through Western Union between January 1, 2004, and January 19, 2017, are still eligible to submit a claim.

What kinds of scams are covered by these refunds?