FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
February 2, 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 ANNOUNCES DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 31
FOR CONSUMERS TO MAKE CLAIMS IN WESTERN UNION CASE
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that the claims period has
been extended for eligible consumers, who were deceived into sending payments to scammers
using Western Union’s wire transfer service, to apply for compensation as the result of a multi-
state settlement with the company in 2017. The deadline to participate in the $586 million
nationwide settlement now is May 31, 2018.
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.
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
claims 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 or through the Attorney General’s website at
http://www.ago.alabama.gov/ConsumerInterestDiv.
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
