https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/protect/2017/11/lost-money-to-a-scam-involving-western-union-you-can-now-claim-a-refund-from-the-us
Lost money to a scam involving Western Union? You can now claim a refund from the US
By Lauren Boyd, Editorial Intern
30 Nov 2017
Victims of fraud who paid money to scammers via a Western Union wire transfer between 2004 and January this year can now apply for a refund – following a multimillion-dollar settlement in the US.
Money transfer firm Western Union has paid $586 million (£437 million) to the US government to reimburse victims of scams which involved a wire transfer using its services, after admitting it had failed to maintain an effective anti-money-laundering programme and had aided and abetted wire fraud.
The US Department of Justice has now confirmed that victims of fraud who live anywhere in the world – including the UK – can apply for a refund if they lost money transferred via Western Union between 1 January 2004 and 19 January 2017. As there's a limited refund pot and there are thought to be 100,000s of victims, you may not get a full refund, but you may well be able to get some money back.
What is wire transfer fraud?
Fraudsters use a variety of methods to trick people into wiring them money – examples can include posing as a relative in need of assistance, scams linked to online dating or fraudulent online purchases.
The US refund scheme covers any form of wire transfer fraud involving Western Union, so if you sent money to someone who wasn't who they said they were, or you didn't get what you were promised in return for a transfer you made, you can apply for a refund.
Some wire transfer scams can be very convincing, so never send money to somebody you don't know or trust. For more on how to protect yourself online and avoid being caught out by fraudsters, see 30+ ways to stop scams.
Who can get a refund?
Anybody who was a victim of fraud which involved making a wire transfer payment through Western Union between 1 January 2004 and 19 January 2017 can apply.
How do I apply for a refund?
You can apply online or by mail – the deadline is 12 February 2018.
To apply online, fill in the Western Union remission claim form (https://kccsecure.com/westernunionremission/Claimant/UnKnownClaimForm.
You can also download a claim form and mail it in:
http://www.westernunionremission.com/media/1151347/v26_wuu_poc_unknown_111017-web.pdf
Lost money to a scam involving Western Union? You can now claim a refund from the US
By Lauren Boyd, Editorial Intern
30 Nov 2017
Victims of fraud who paid money to scammers via a Western Union wire transfer between 2004 and January this year can now apply for a refund – following a multimillion-dollar settlement in the US.
Money transfer firm Western Union has paid $586 million (£437 million) to the US government to reimburse victims of scams which involved a wire transfer using its services, after admitting it had failed to maintain an effective anti-money-laundering programme and had aided and abetted wire fraud.
The US Department of Justice has now confirmed that victims of fraud who live anywhere in the world – including the UK – can apply for a refund if they lost money transferred via Western Union between 1 January 2004 and 19 January 2017. As there's a limited refund pot and there are thought to be 100,000s of victims, you may not get a full refund, but you may well be able to get some money back.
What is wire transfer fraud?
Fraudsters use a variety of methods to trick people into wiring them money – examples can include posing as a relative in need of assistance, scams linked to online dating or fraudulent online purchases.
The US refund scheme covers any form of wire transfer fraud involving Western Union, so if you sent money to someone who wasn't who they said they were, or you didn't get what you were promised in return for a transfer you made, you can apply for a refund.
Some wire transfer scams can be very convincing, so never send money to somebody you don't know or trust. For more on how to protect yourself online and avoid being caught out by fraudsters, see 30+ ways to stop scams.
Who can get a refund?
Anybody who was a victim of fraud which involved making a wire transfer payment through Western Union between 1 January 2004 and 19 January 2017 can apply.
How do I apply for a refund?
You can apply online or by mail – the deadline is 12 February 2018.
To apply online, fill in the Western Union remission claim form (https://kccsecure.com/westernunionremission/Claimant/UnKnownClaimForm.
You can also download a claim form and mail it in:
http://www.westernunionremission.com/media/1151347/v26_wuu_poc_unknown_111017-web.pdf
