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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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FTC Staff
March 18, 2020

In reply to by Ferrellquinton72

Please contact Gilardi & Co. about that.  

Send email to: info@westernunionremission.com, or call (844) 319-2124. 

MJ
March 16, 2020
I received a check today!
DH
March 16, 2020
Why I was not informed about this case. Western Union have even refused to give itemized listing of transactions. Biller claimed did not get payment. Refused to merge rewards account. Event found that western Union keeps Adding different names as well as different accounts under my name and this is as recent as last month 03/16/20.
Joanna
March 16, 2020
The Refund already sent these checks or are about to send?
Wait another year
March 17, 2020

In reply to by Joanna

To my understanding if you don't get a paycheck yet the next time they mail anything is 4 months from now I was one of the first ones to respond with the prefilled claim loss amount and didn't get a check now I got to wait 5 more months at least
Juliek1968
March 16, 2020
I received my refund check in the mail today. Thank you!!!
Nate1210
March 16, 2020
I live in Louisiana they said I was in the first mailing where are the checks coming from?
amccormick
March 16, 2020
no one answers the phone at the number for Gilardi that you’re giving out
Nate1210
March 17, 2020

In reply to by amccormick

They always answer when I call you have to listen to the prompts then click the prompt to speak with someone
Princess
March 16, 2020
I am one of the people who received s prefilled form back in December 2017. I agreed with amount that was on form. Wrote out social security number on form, and signed sent in online. They received my submission same day. I should be a part of first round of payments and should have receving my check this past Saturday or today. But was told 109,000 checks were not issued on March. Payments were broken up into groups. Next few weeks more should be issued and so forth. People who were missing info others who did not have the prefilled info will be later in the year July and so on. I pray my check will be mailed off in 2 weeks or sooner like was stated I need my money.
Tree
March 17, 2020
I got a check on Monday 3/16/20. I pray this check is not a scam as well. I want to cash it but sure don't want no one to come back and clean out my account.
Caligirl350
March 17, 2020
Well they should have mentioned that those that did send in paperwork and have additional deficiencies.... why did they not send out notices? I just found this out yesterday. Another thing to prolong the others to get payment
FTC Staff
March 17, 2020

In reply to by Caligirl350

The refund administrator, Gilardi & Co., is verifying claims that need additional information. Other people who filed claims will get refunds later this year.

Princess
March 17, 2020

In reply to by Caligirl350

I was just told 2 pieces of correspondence that were sent too me were returned to them because they sent the mail to my old address! How and why I don't know. The pre-filled form came to my new address informing me about this lawsuit. I have not lived at that address since 2007! Somebody dropped the ball and now my check has not been issued! Everyone (for those that have moved) check with gilardi and co, and make sure your address is updated. If you have not received your check by now that is one of the reasons why. Besides others who kay have been offset for certain tax debts etc.
Don't use addr…
March 18, 2020
I received a form in March asking for my SS# it had the amount that was owe on I signed and sent back before the due date.Why I didn’t get a check
FTC Staff
March 18, 2020

In reply to by Don't use addr…

Please contact Gilardi & Co. about that.  

Send email to: info@westernunionremission.com, or call (844) 319-2124. 

nan255sems
March 18, 2020
When will the second waive of checks going out. Also where can I check the status of a different complaint with the FTC.
FTC Staff
March 18, 2020

In reply to by nan255sems

The Gilardi & Co. website (www.WesternUnionRemission.com) says that the claims that were not paid in this round are still being reviewed by the US Department of Justice and Gilardi & Co. They expect to make more decisions in the next four months. Look at Frequently Asked Question #8.

Bre
March 18, 2020
I got my check and try to cash it, it got denied. Why?
FTC Staff
March 18, 2020

In reply to by Bre

Sometimes a bank can't process a check if you try to do a mobile deposit with your phone. If you're having trouble cashing or depositing a check in person, please call (or ask the bank staff to call) Gilardi & Co. at 844-319-2124. 

Bre
March 18, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Went in person to the bank and I was denied
FTC Staff
March 18, 2020

In reply to by Bre

Got it. Can you please you make a copy of the comment you just sent here, and send it to BlogInfo@FTC.gov? 

Nate1210
March 18, 2020
I still have not received my check I wonder how much longer??
suzie 3
March 18, 2020
how long will it take to receive a check
Amber
March 18, 2020
I will say this.. in 2011 I got scammed hard.. I went and filled a police report and federal charges. That's how I got involved. Then a couple of years ago I received the letter from the what I thought was the lawyer or prosecutor against them. I never figured anything would happen bc I was the stupid one.. but I did learn a valuable lesson. Then I got a check in the mail. I credit it all the filling out the police report. So if you went about things that way, I would think youd get back your losses.
PboswNY
March 19, 2020
Thank God I just got my check for $5,900.. I really need to know when and how to file to get back my over $40,000 .00 from Money GRAM and also Walmart money transfer.. Please someone help me. I am very grateful for what I just received. I lost my entire life saving to a scammer online in 2013.
suzie 3
March 19, 2020
how long will it take to get a check
Joanna
March 19, 2020
I send confirmation in 2018 that I had a scammer.I was trying to find out it I received this return , but I got a reply that the woman did not know that DOJ know.So when start to send?
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Joanna

If you have a question about your claim, please call the administrator at 1-844-319-2124. 

juliesace
March 19, 2020
has anyone actually cashes a check and it went thru ???
J Michael
March 20, 2020

In reply to by juliesace

Deposited mine into my savings account today with no issues.
Elle Mil
March 19, 2020
I received my check the other day and I actually forgot all about the claim. I sent my form in with receipts and the complaints I sent to Western union. Western Union ignored me and wouldn't recover my funds. So I am glad someone listened and Justice was served.
Tim g dirt fan
March 20, 2020
I was married at the time but now divorced. I recieved my check but was wondering if my spouse recieved the same amount in her name since we are no longer together. I would be obligated to send her half if it was just a one part check.
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Tim g dirt fan

If you have a question about your check or your claim, please call the administrator at 1-844-319-2124. 

curious in TN
March 20, 2020
I would also like to know "How did some people get prefilled claims?" I also completed an original form and included a printout from WU that listed all of my transactions and never heard from any one at Gilardi. I even sent it registered mail. Please explain why some got prefilled claim forms. Thanks
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by curious in TN

If you have a question about your claim, please call the administrator at 1-844-319-2124. 

Concerned
March 20, 2020
I got a check to. Is there some kind of special marking on the check that will let you know this is a legitimate cashable check. Why come none of the banks no about these checks coming out and people are having a hard time cashing them hum
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Concerned

If the people at your bank have a question about your refund check, they can call Gilardi & Co. at 844-319-2124.  

RealorNot
March 20, 2020
I tried calling (844) 319-2124 and only got a recording. I have tried 3 times and never reach an actual person. My bank said to deposit the check and they will hold the funds for 7 days while they verify the sender. I made a claim many years ago so, if this is real, it is a blessing.
ERfarmgirl
March 20, 2020
Okay. Receiving a check from this case is great. However, in checking the bank name that is on the check, there is NO bank in the city where it is supposed to be by that name. The check does not look like the usual business refund check one would receive. From this site, it would appear this is not part of the scam by Western Union or someone else who is a lot smarter than I to think things up. However, since the bank this check is supposed to be drawn on does not exist, I am suspect. Will be taking this to my bank on the next business day I am able to. The banks are shut down and you can't see anyone.
J Michael
March 20, 2020
I received my check yesterday and deposited it into my savings account today. It was a long time coming, but it did come, and when I least expected it to. Thankful I got back all I lost. Thank you, FTC for holding Western Union accountable.
ndt1231
March 21, 2020
I want to take the time to thank you for all the hard work that you’ve done in this case. I was scammed out of a huge amount of money and it makes me feel good that I have somebody fighting on my side and others so things like this never happen again.
Wen
March 21, 2020
Thank you FTC for a job well done. We got our check for the amount specified in the pre-filled form we received almost 2 years ago. The money will help us a lot especially in these times.
MClovin
March 22, 2020
I received the refund check today i had totally forgotten about this. i was scammed out of some money back in 2004.
Rosey
March 22, 2020
I sent $3000 to Africa in 2006, is that too long ago? To help build water Wells for the people there. I was later told that it was a scammer, and not to send anymore money.
Martha
March 22, 2020
I got my check! It was such a blessing! Thank you!
Margit-Katharina
March 24, 2020
Did anyone got his check outside US now? I send a Mail with my WUU No. ask for the status, the anser was the automatic mail "Please not that the claim are still being....".
Roxymom26
March 24, 2020
We received our check in the mail yesterday! They are coming people!
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