FTC action and some very interesting comments (lost formatting of the comments, but a link is at the end):
New deadline for Western Union settlement requests
February 1, 2018
by Karen Dodge
Attorney, Midwest Region, FTC
Did you lose money to a scammer who had you pay using Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017? If so, you can ask for money back from the FTC’s settlement with Western Union. And the deadline to file your claim was just extended to May 31, 2018.
Here’s the deal. Western Union agreed to return $586 million to people to settle the FTC’s charges that Western Union hadn’t adequately protected people from fraud, and didn’t properly discipline problem agents. To get money back, here’s what you need to do by May 31, 2018:
Start at FTC.gov/WU to file your claim online. If you got a letter in the mail about a complaint you filed earlier, you’ll have a Claim ID and a PIN. Click the blue “I got a pre-filled claim form” button and use those to file your claim. If you didn’t get a letter in the mail, click the orange button that says “I lost money, but did not get a claim form.”
Give as much information as you can about your loss. Upload any paperwork you have. The Department of Justice, which is handling the claims through their contractor, Gilardi & Co, will use that information to try to validate your Western Union money transfer.
Yes, you have to give your Social Security number or ITIN to file a claim. Read why here.
Don’t pay anybody to help you file your claim, or get money back. Anybody who asks you to pay for your claim or refund is scamming you. Tell the FTC.
Then, be patient. It might take a year for the Department of Justice to validate all the claims and start returning money.
If you have questions, you might find answers here, and also check out the FAQs at FTC.gov/WU. Why not do it now? But you have until May 31, 2018. After that, you won’t be able to file your claim to get money back under this settlement with Western Union.
Tagged with: foreign lottery, imposter, online fraud, prize, scam, sweepstakes
Blog Topics:
Money & Credit, Jobs & Making Money, Privacy, Identity & Online Security
Comments
MSALO | February 1, 2018 |
reply
How do I show proof? Once I was scammed out of my $1200 for a shopping review and sent the money I was so pissed I threw away the information. It was in 2014. How am I suppose to prove this? I have closed that bank account and have moved since.
Bridget Small - FTC | February 1, 2018 |
reply
Go to FTC.gov/WU to read more about the process. If you sent money to a scammer via Western Union, file a claim, even if you don’t have paperwork related to your money transfer. You may still be eligible for a payment. You can start the the process from FTC.gov/WU.
You must file your claim by May 31, 2018.
JohnsonK | February 1, 2018 |
reply
Yes I have been scammed.I used Western Union and kept my receives. my most resent was just Jan of this year. I just found out they don't exist.lost 1800.
Bridget Small - FTC | February 1, 2018 |
reply
If you lost money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 and you paid by Western Union, you can file a claim to get money back.
You must file a claim by May 31, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start the process.
0185Ahn | February 1, 2018 |
reply
bona fide Thanks
forreal | February 1, 2018 |
reply
I was scammed out of a good bit of money, but I sent everything about the scam to FTC, thus I don't have receipts or any other information.Patsy D.
Bridget Small - FTC | February 2, 2018 |
reply
If you lost money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 and you paid by Western Union, you can file a claim to get money back.
You can file a claim, even if you don’t have paperwork related to your money transfer. If you have the number of your FTC report, you could include that with your claim. You will give details about when you sent the money and where you sent it. You may still be eligible for a payment.
You must file a claim by May 31, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start the process.
Rob C | February 1, 2018 |
reply
I have summied my claims and waiting for my remmiltions !!! Please keep me posted on my refunds
Mr Manny | February 1, 2018 |
reply
Too many spelling errors in most of your replies, starting to doubt the validity of these articles and responses being given as case.
Juankok | February 1, 2018 |
reply
I have sent $500 Us, to Anastasya Saratova, in Russia, was a perfect scam after several letter pretender being meeting for serious marriage, I don't remember exactly data of sending but for my real name, its Juan , not exist another similar names, the operation was made in Salta,Argentina. She live in near Ekaterinburg, Russia. Finding out archives of Western Union sure its prove operation whit funds.
Bridget Small - FTC | February 2, 2018 |
reply
If you sent money by Western Union to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017, you can file a claim to ask for money back. You must file the claim by May 31, 2018.
Go to FTC.gov/WU and FTC.gov/es/WU (in Spanish) to learn more. You can begin to file your claim at FTC.gov/WU or FTC.gov/es/WU.
lostboy | February 2, 2018 |
reply
how about those who were scammed from January 19, 2017 to January 2018
Bridget Small - FTC | February 2, 2018 |
reply
You are not eligible to apply for a refund under the FTC settlement with Western Union if you lost money outside these dates: January 1, 2004 to January 19, 2017.
If you transferred money through Western Union, you can call the Western Union Fraud Hotline at 800-448-1492. You can also report the scam to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give the FTC goes into a secure database that the FTC and other law enforcement agencies use for investigations.
BailScammed | February 2, 2018 |
reply
I was scammed into buying Reloadit cards at the grocery store to bail someone out of jail. Am I eligible to file a claim? I have also seen several bad reviews online about the administrator, Gilardo and Co LLC. Is it safe to give my Social Security Number?
Bridget Small - FTC | February 2, 2018 |
reply
If you lost money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 and you paid by Western Union, you can file a claim to get money back. If you did not use Western Union, you are not eligible to file a claim.
Terry | February 2, 2018 |
reply
I worked for them for a number of years, and frankly we were discouraged from finding and disclosing frauds. The punishment for doing this was swift and sure! So glad this will punish the company where it hurts. $$$
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/02/new...ovdelivery
New deadline for Western Union settlement requests
February 1, 2018
by Karen Dodge
Attorney, Midwest Region, FTC
Did you lose money to a scammer who had you pay using Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017? If so, you can ask for money back from the FTC’s settlement with Western Union. And the deadline to file your claim was just extended to May 31, 2018.
Here’s the deal. Western Union agreed to return $586 million to people to settle the FTC’s charges that Western Union hadn’t adequately protected people from fraud, and didn’t properly discipline problem agents. To get money back, here’s what you need to do by May 31, 2018:
Start at FTC.gov/WU to file your claim online. If you got a letter in the mail about a complaint you filed earlier, you’ll have a Claim ID and a PIN. Click the blue “I got a pre-filled claim form” button and use those to file your claim. If you didn’t get a letter in the mail, click the orange button that says “I lost money, but did not get a claim form.”
Give as much information as you can about your loss. Upload any paperwork you have. The Department of Justice, which is handling the claims through their contractor, Gilardi & Co, will use that information to try to validate your Western Union money transfer.
Yes, you have to give your Social Security number or ITIN to file a claim. Read why here.
Don’t pay anybody to help you file your claim, or get money back. Anybody who asks you to pay for your claim or refund is scamming you. Tell the FTC.
Then, be patient. It might take a year for the Department of Justice to validate all the claims and start returning money.
If you have questions, you might find answers here, and also check out the FAQs at FTC.gov/WU. Why not do it now? But you have until May 31, 2018. After that, you won’t be able to file your claim to get money back under this settlement with Western Union.
Tagged with: foreign lottery, imposter, online fraud, prize, scam, sweepstakes
Blog Topics:
Money & Credit, Jobs & Making Money, Privacy, Identity & Online Security
Comments
MSALO | February 1, 2018 |
reply
How do I show proof? Once I was scammed out of my $1200 for a shopping review and sent the money I was so pissed I threw away the information. It was in 2014. How am I suppose to prove this? I have closed that bank account and have moved since.
Bridget Small - FTC | February 1, 2018 |
reply
Go to FTC.gov/WU to read more about the process. If you sent money to a scammer via Western Union, file a claim, even if you don’t have paperwork related to your money transfer. You may still be eligible for a payment. You can start the the process from FTC.gov/WU.
You must file your claim by May 31, 2018.
JohnsonK | February 1, 2018 |
reply
Yes I have been scammed.I used Western Union and kept my receives. my most resent was just Jan of this year. I just found out they don't exist.lost 1800.
Bridget Small - FTC | February 1, 2018 |
reply
If you lost money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 and you paid by Western Union, you can file a claim to get money back.
You must file a claim by May 31, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start the process.
0185Ahn | February 1, 2018 |
reply
bona fide Thanks
forreal | February 1, 2018 |
reply
I was scammed out of a good bit of money, but I sent everything about the scam to FTC, thus I don't have receipts or any other information.Patsy D.
Bridget Small - FTC | February 2, 2018 |
reply
If you lost money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 and you paid by Western Union, you can file a claim to get money back.
You can file a claim, even if you don’t have paperwork related to your money transfer. If you have the number of your FTC report, you could include that with your claim. You will give details about when you sent the money and where you sent it. You may still be eligible for a payment.
You must file a claim by May 31, 2018. Go to FTC.gov/WU to start the process.
Rob C | February 1, 2018 |
reply
I have summied my claims and waiting for my remmiltions !!! Please keep me posted on my refunds
Mr Manny | February 1, 2018 |
reply
Too many spelling errors in most of your replies, starting to doubt the validity of these articles and responses being given as case.
Juankok | February 1, 2018 |
reply
I have sent $500 Us, to Anastasya Saratova, in Russia, was a perfect scam after several letter pretender being meeting for serious marriage, I don't remember exactly data of sending but for my real name, its Juan , not exist another similar names, the operation was made in Salta,Argentina. She live in near Ekaterinburg, Russia. Finding out archives of Western Union sure its prove operation whit funds.
Bridget Small - FTC | February 2, 2018 |
reply
If you sent money by Western Union to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017, you can file a claim to ask for money back. You must file the claim by May 31, 2018.
Go to FTC.gov/WU and FTC.gov/es/WU (in Spanish) to learn more. You can begin to file your claim at FTC.gov/WU or FTC.gov/es/WU.
lostboy | February 2, 2018 |
reply
how about those who were scammed from January 19, 2017 to January 2018
Bridget Small - FTC | February 2, 2018 |
reply
You are not eligible to apply for a refund under the FTC settlement with Western Union if you lost money outside these dates: January 1, 2004 to January 19, 2017.
If you transferred money through Western Union, you can call the Western Union Fraud Hotline at 800-448-1492. You can also report the scam to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give the FTC goes into a secure database that the FTC and other law enforcement agencies use for investigations.
BailScammed | February 2, 2018 |
reply
I was scammed into buying Reloadit cards at the grocery store to bail someone out of jail. Am I eligible to file a claim? I have also seen several bad reviews online about the administrator, Gilardo and Co LLC. Is it safe to give my Social Security Number?
Bridget Small - FTC | February 2, 2018 |
reply
If you lost money to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 and you paid by Western Union, you can file a claim to get money back. If you did not use Western Union, you are not eligible to file a claim.
Terry | February 2, 2018 |
reply
I worked for them for a number of years, and frankly we were discouraged from finding and disclosing frauds. The punishment for doing this was swift and sure! So glad this will punish the company where it hurts. $$$
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/02/new...ovdelivery
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