If you sent money through Western Union and were the victim of a scam between January 1, 2004, and March 9, 2020, you may still have time to recover some or all of your eligible losses.
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened Phase 3 of the Western Union Remission Program, allowing additional eligible victims to submit a petition for compensation. Petitions must be submitted by August 19, 2026.
Why Is Money Being Returned?
In 2017, Western Union agreed to forfeit $586 million after entering into agreements with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
According to the DOJ, Western Union admitted it violated the Bank Secrecy Act and federal anti-fraud laws by processing hundreds of thousands of transactions connected to international consumer fraud schemes.
These scams included situations where criminals convinced victims to send money through Western Union for fake emergencies, prizes, jobs, or online relationships.
Western Union agreed to the forfeiture, and the DOJ is distributing those funds to eligible fraud victims through the remission process.
Who Qualifies?
You may qualify if:
- You sent money through Western Union between January 1, 2004, and March 9, 2020, and
- You lost money because of an eligible fraud scheme.
Examples of eligible scams include:
- Grandparent or family emergency scams
- Lottery or sweepstakes scams
- Romance scams
- Job opportunity scams
- Other schemes where fraudsters convinced you to send money through Western Union
If you previously filed during Phase 1 or Phase 2, you may still qualify if you have additional eligible transactions that were not previously included.
How Much Can You Receive?
There is no fixed payment amount. Eligible petitioners may receive up to the amount of their documented losses, minus any refunds already received.
The remission program does not reimburse:
- Western Union transfer fees
- Incidental or indirect losses
- Transfers made through other money transfer companies
The remission administrator will calculate payments based on the amount of eligible fraudulent Western Union transfers.
Your Options
| Option | What It Means | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Submit a Petition | File a Petition for Remission with supporting documentation to request compensation for eligible fraud losses. | August 19, 2026 |
| Do Nothing | You will not be considered for a remission payment. | No deadline (but petitions close August 19, 2026) |
How to File a Claim?
To request compensation, you must submit a Petition for Remission by August 19, 2026.
You can:
- Complete the petition online, or
- Download, print, and mail a paper petition.
If you previously received a prefilled petition, review the information carefully:
- If everything is correct, complete the required information, sign, and return it.
- If additional transactions should be included, complete the supplemental transaction form and provide supporting documentation.
Mail completed petitions to:
United States v. The Western Union Company Phase 3
PO Box 301132
Los Angeles, CA 90030-1132
When available, include documents that support your petition, such as:
- Western Union money transfer receipts or send forms
- Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN)
- Information describing the fraud
- Any other records supporting your claim
If you no longer have your receipt, you may request transaction history from Western Union. The company maintains records for 10 years.
