Initial Round of Refunds Of $153 Million Being Distributed to Consumers As a Result of Multi-Agency, Law Enforcement Case Against Western Union
Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is making consumers aware that on March 10, 2020, the FTC reported that approximately $153 million is being mailed to 109,000 consumers in the first distribution of refunds resulting from the law enforcement actions brought against Western Union by the FTC, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The affected consumers are receiving compensation for 100 percent of their losses.
The FTC’s complaint against Western Union alleged that for many years, Western Union was aware that fraudsters around the world used the company’s money transfer system to bilk consumers, and that some Western Union agents were complicit in the frauds. The FTC’s complaint alleged that Western Union failed to put in place effective anti-fraud policies and procedures and to act promptly against problem agents.
The company’s settlement with the FTC required Western Union to pay $586 million in monetary relief. That money was paid to DOJ in connection with Western Union’s joint settlement with that agency. DOJ’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section is administering the consumer refund program. This distribution is the first of multiple payments over the coming months to consumers who lost money due to Western Union’s actions.
More information about the Western Union refund program and its compensation to victims is available on the Western Union remission website at www.westernunionremission.com. Further questions may be directed to the Western Union Remission Administrator by phone at 844-319-2124 or by email at [email protected].
Source: Federal Trade Commission, FTC.gov