New deadline for Western Union settlement requests

In December 2017 The Highland Councils Trading Standards team issued a message that there was a fund being held by America’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC) available to people who had been scammed and who had paid the scammer using Western Union.  The deadline for applying for a refund was 12 February 2018 but this has been extended to 31 May 2018.

Western Union agreed to return $586 million to people to settle the FTC’s charges that it had not adequately protected people from fraud, and didn’t properly discipline problem agents.  To apply for a refund, here’s what you need to do by 31 May 2018:

• Visit www.FTC.gov/WU to file your claim online.If you received a letter in the mail about a complaint you filed earlier, you will have a Claim ID and a PIN.Click the blue “I got a pre-filed 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.”
• Alternatively you can print the form and send it by post to United States v The Western Union Company, PO Box 404027, Louisville, KY 40233-4027.must be postmarked on or before 31 May 2018.
• Give as much detail as you can about your loss.Upload any paperwork you have.This information will be used to try to validate your Western Union money transfer.
• Don’t pay anybody to help you file your claim, or get money back.Anyone who asks you to pay for your claim or refund is scamming you!
• Then, be patient.It might take a year to validate all the claims and start returning money.

Mark McGinty, Highland Council Trading Standards Team Leader said:  “More often than not scams victims don’t get their money back, especially when cash is involved, so I am delighted at the prospect that some scams victims in Highland might see a return of their money.  The fact the deadline has been extended allows for those who haven’t yet applied for a refund to do so.  I would urge any Highland resident who thinks they may be eligible for a refund, to file a claim as quickly as possible and before 31 May 2018."

Highland consumers requiring advice on scams are urged to contact the Citizens Advice Helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or visit their website www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/consumer/.