Senate Aging Committee Leaders Remind Scam Victims of Claiming Deadline for Western Union Refund

Washington, D.C. — Following a joint investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Trade Commission, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Western Union agreed to pay $586 million and admitted to aiding and abetting wire fraud. The DOJ is now using that money to provide compensation to victims who were scammed and used Western Union services to pay con artists.

U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Bob Casey (D-PA), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Aging Committee, are reminding those who lost money to a scammer and paid through Western Union that they must file their claim by May 31, 2018.

“Each year, scammers take an estimated $2.9 billion from older Americans through scams and financial exploitation,” said Senator Collins. “While most, unfortunately, do not have the opportunity to get their money back, I am pleased that some will be able to take part in this settlement.  I urge those who have fallen victim to scams and paid through Western Union to file their claim before the May 31 deadline.”

“I encourage anyone who was scammed and sent money through Western Union to submit a claim before the May 31 deadline,” said Senator Casey.  “Too often, criminals target those who saved their whole lives for their later years. They seek to take the funds that older adults depend on to live. I am pleased that seniors and others who were victimized have an opportunity to seek compensation for their losses.”

It is important to know that in order to be eligible for compensation, these transactions must have occurred between January 1, 2004, and January 19, 2017. Each claim must be verified by the DOJ and may take up to a year to process. If you have sent multiple payments through Western Union, you can file claims for all transactions.

For more information, visit the FTC’s frequently asked questions webpage, email the administrator at info@westernunionremission.com, or call the administrator at 1-844-319-2124.