Scam Victims to Get Money Back from Western Union

Source: Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley

District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced today that in January 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settled a criminal case against Western Union Company. Western Union forfeited $586 million and admitted to criminal violations, including willfully failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and aiding and abetting wire fraud. 

Earlier this month, the FTC issued a press release to alert consumers who lost money to scammers who told them to pay via Western Union’s money-transfer system between January 1, 2004, and January 19, 2017, so that they can file a claim to get their money back.  The deadline to file a claim is February 12, 2018.  The complete FTC press release is found here: www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2017/11/ftc-alerts-consumers-if-scammers-had-you-pay-them-western-union.  

To file a claim, consumers can go to www.ftc.gov/WU.  If consumers have any questions about filing a claim, they can also call the FTC administrator at (844) 319-2124.  Additional information is available on the FTC’s blog page, at www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2017/11/getting-your-money-back-western-union.

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s office did not participate in the prosecution of this case against Western Union and is not part of the claims/refund process.  This press release is intended to inform residents of Santa Barbara County who may have been victimized that refunds may be available to them and how to file a claim.  For any questions, please contact the FTC directly at the website or phone number above.