Scamming victims who lost money through Western Union may be able to get money back

Central Coast consumers who lost money to scammers who told them to pay using Western Union’s money-transfer system between January 2004 and January 2017 can now file a claim to get their money back.

The deadline to file a refund claim is February 12, 2018. To file a claim, visit www.ftc.gov/WU.

Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley announced on Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission settled a criminal case against Western Union Company in January 2017.

“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,” stated a news release from the District Attorney’s Office.

For more information, visit https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2017/11/ftc-alerts-consumers-if-scammers-had-you-pay-them-western-union.