FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
May 8, 2018
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Steve Marshall
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
Alabama Attorney General
AG STEVE MARSHALL REMINDS CONSUMERS OF MAY 31 DEADLINE
TO MAKE CLAIMS IN WESTERN UNION CASE
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall is reminding consumers of a May 31 deadline
to make claims in a $586 million settlement with Western Union. Eligible consumers who were
deceived into sending payments to scammers using Western Union’s wire transfer service may apply
for compensation as the result of a multi-state settlement with the company in 2017.
At the time of the settlement, more than 7,624 complaints from Alabama consumers had been filed. A
total amount of $7,865,024 or more in refunds is expected to be returned to Alabama consumers. The
individual amounts will depend upon the circumstances of each case.
Consumers may be eligible if they were a victim of a fraud-induced transfer using Western Union
between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017.
Affected consumers who previously reported the fraudulent transactions should have received claim
forms in the mail around late November or early December of 2017. The forms contain instructions
explaining how consumers may file their claims to receive compensation.
Attorney General Marshall warned that there have been reports of scam emails about the Western
Union settlement. He stressed that consumers should ignore these scam email solicitations. You
cannot apply for a refund via email. The only way to apply for a refund is to follow the steps given
on the Western Union Remission or FTC websites as specified below, which are to apply by postal
mail or through these websites themselves.
Consumers who did not receive a claim form in the mail but believe they may have an eligible claim,
may visit http://www.westernunionremission.com or FTC.gov/WU, or call 1-844-319-2124 for more
information on how to file a claim. The settlement fund is being administered on behalf of the
Department of Justice’s Victim Asset Recovery Program and the claims process is being managed by
Gilardi & Co.
Claims are to be filed directly through the above websites or by mail to United States v. The Western
Union Company, P.O. Box 404027, Louisville, KY 40233-4027. Mailed forms must be postmarked on
or before May 31, 2018, and electronic claims also must be filed by May 31. The claim form does
require consumers to include their full social security number.
In addition to consumer compensation, the settlement also compelled Western Union to develop and
put into action a comprehensive anti-fraud program designed to help detect and prevent incidents
where consumers who have been the victims of fraud use Western Union to wire money to scam
artists.
Consumers who have questions may contact Attorney General Marshall’s Consumer Interest Division
by calling 1-800-392-5658.
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
