Western Union $586 Million Consumer Fraud Remission, Were You Scammed Between 2004 and 2020? File Your Claim Now, United States v. The Western Union Company, Phase 3

UPDATE LOG — Western Union Remission, United States v. The Western Union Company, Phase 3

May 28, 2026 — Article published. All facts verified against official Phase 3 remission website (westernunionremissionphase3.com), DOJ press releases, FTC refunds page, and the Phase 2 remission website. The original Phase 3 petition deadline posted was September 23, 2025. The Phase 3 claim portal at veritaconnect.com remains active as of May 28, 2026. Based on the pattern of every prior phase being extended, we recommend checking www.westernunionremissionphase3.com directly for the current active deadline before filing.

The Western Union $586 million consumer fraud remission is a government-ordered restitution program — not a class action — where victims who were tricked into wiring money to scammers through Western Union between January 1, 2004 and March 9, 2020 can file a Petition for Remission to recover their fraud losses. The Justice Department is now using the $586 million Western Union forfeited to provide refunds to people who were tricked into using Western Union to pay scammers, after Western Union agreed to pay $586 million and admitted to aiding and abetting wire fraud. Phase 3 has expanded the eligible period beyond the original 2004–2017 window. File your petition at www.westernunionremissionphase3.com or through the online portal at veritaconnect.com/WesternUnionRemissionPhase3/Claimant.

Western Union Remission Phase 3 — Key Facts

Field	Detail
Total Forfeiture Amount	$586,000,000
Total Distributed to Date	Over $420,000,000 to more than 175,000 victims
Phase 3 Eligible Period	January 1, 2004 through March 9, 2020 (extended from 2017)
Who Qualifies	U.S. and international victims who sent a fraudulent wire transfer through Western Union during the eligible period
Payout Amount	Based on your verified fraud loss amount — victims to date have received full compensation for verified losses
Proof Required	Yes — documentation of wire transfers required
Petition Deadline	Originally September 23, 2025 — check www.westernunionremissionphase3.com for current deadline
Filing Fee	None — filing is completely free
Remission Administrator	Gilardi & Co. LLC
Official Petition Website	www.westernunionremissionphase3.com
Online Claim Portal	veritaconnect.com/WesternUnionRemissionPhase3/Claimant
Governing Agency	U.S. Department of Justice, Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section
FTC Case Page	ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/western-union-refunds
Last Updated	May 28, 2026

Where Does the Western Union Remission Program Stand Today?

• The Department of Justice has distributed over $420 million in funds forfeited to the U.S. government from Western Union to over 175,000 victims, all of whom received full compensation for their losses.
• Phase 3 expanded the eligible period to cover fraudulent transfers made through March 9, 2020 — three years beyond the original 2017 cutoff.
• The Phase 3 online petition portal at veritaconnect.com remains active. Check www.westernunionremissionphase3.com for the most current filing deadline, as prior phases were each extended multiple times.

Who Is Western Union and Why Did They Pay $586 Million?

The Western Union Company, a global money services business headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, agreed to forfeit $586 million and enter into agreements with the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice. For over a decade, scammers contacted people and promised prizes, loans, jobs, discounted products or other financial rewards in exchange for money upfront. They also pretended to be family members in need of cash, or law enforcement officers demanding payment. The scammers told people to send money through Western Union. No one received the cash, prizes or services they were promised.

Western Union acknowledged responsibility for its criminal conduct, which included violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and aiding and abetting wire fraud, and agreed to forfeit $586 million, which has been made available to compensate victims of the international consumer fraud scheme through the remission process. Western Union simultaneously resolved a parallel civil investigation with the Federal Trade Commission.

This is not a class action settlement. It is a criminal forfeiture remission — meaning money Western Union was forced to give up as part of a deferred prosecution agreement is being returned directly to the fraud victims it was taken from. The DOJ’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section oversees the process, and Gilardi & Co. LLC serves as the independent remission administrator.

For context on how similar government-ordered restitution programs work, our coverage of FTC refund checks going out in early 2026 explains the broader FTC refund program landscape. For a related wire-transfer fraud case, our article on Amazon Prime’s $2.5 billion FTC settlement shows how large consumer fraud settlements operate step by step.

Related article: Motility Software Solutions Data Breach Settlement, Check If You Qualify for a Payment In re Motility Data Breach Litigation

What Scams Does the Western Union Remission Phase 3 Cover?

These scams included the grandparent scam, where the fraudster would pose as the victim’s relative in need of immediate money to avoid personal harm; lottery or sweepstakes scams, where the fraudster would tell the victim that they had won a large cash prize but had to pay fees such as taxes to claim the prize; and romance scams, where the fraudster would pose as an online love interest and request funds for a visit or for another purpose. In each of these scams the fraudsters convinced their victims to send money through Western Union, and no victims received the promised cash, prize, or promoted item.

A variety of scams are covered by this settlement, including online or internet scams where you did not receive the items you tried to buy online, lottery or prize promotion scams where you were told you won a lottery or sweepstakes but never got the prize, emergency or grandparent scams where you sent money to someone pretending to be a relative or friend in urgent need of money, advance-fee loan scams where you paid upfront fees but did not get the promised loans, and online dating or romance scams where you sent money to someone who created a fake profile on a dating or social networking website.

If you were targeted by any of these scams and the fraudster directed you to send payment through Western Union, your transfer may qualify — whether you made it in 2004 or as recently as March 2020.

Are You Eligible for a Western Union Phase 3 Remission Payment?

Here is exactly how to know if this program includes you.

You are likely eligible if:

• You sent a wire transfer through Western Union between January 1, 2004 and March 9, 2020
• The transfer was made because a fraudster tricked you — through a grandparent scam, romance scam, lottery scam, advance-fee loan scam, online purchase scam, or a similar scheme
• You did not receive the cash, prize, loan, product, or other item that was promised
• You have not already been fully compensated for this specific transfer through a prior phase
• You are located anywhere in the world — this program covers both U.S. and international victims

You are not eligible if:

• Your losses stem from Western Union fees, service charges, or other incidental costs — only the fraud transfer amount itself is recoverable
• You sent money through another money transfer company (only Western Union transfers qualify)
• You have already received full compensation for the specific transfers you are claiming
• You were an agent, employee, or owner of a Western Union location who participated in the fraud scheme

Western Union Fraud Victims Outside the United States — Are You Still Covered?

All wire transfers within and outside of the United States made through Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017, may be eligible for remission, and you are not required to be a United States citizen or in the United States to file a petition. This same principle applies to Phase 3. International victims — including those in Canada, the UK, Australia, India, Nigeria, and other countries — are fully eligible to file a Petition for Remission. Your country of residence does not disqualify you.

If you are unsure whether your specific transfer qualifies, contact Gilardi & Co. LLC directly through the Phase 3 website. A free consultation with a consumer rights attorney can also help you assess your documentation and recovery options.

How Much Will Western Union Remission Phase 3 Victims Receive?

Due to continued availability of forfeited funds, to compensate additional victims, the Department of Justice has opened the petitions process to potential victims who had a fraudulent transfer in the extended time period of January 1, 2004 through March 9, 2020.

What Phase 3 Victims Could Recover From the Western Union Fraud Remission

Your payment is based on the verified dollar amount of the fraudulent wire transfer you made through Western Union. Your payment will be based only on the amount of the money transfer. You cannot recover collateral expenses such as Western Union fees, incidental losses, or transfers sent through other companies.

Every victim who has been paid in Phases 1 and 2 has received full compensation for their verified losses. Through two phases, the Western Union Remission Fund has distributed over $420 million to more than 175,000 victims who received full compensation for their losses. There is no pro-rata reduction or shared fund limit that reduces individual payments — the DOJ pays each approved victim the full verified amount of their loss.

If you filed a Phase 1 or Phase 2 petition that included transfers made after January 19, 2017 (the original cutoff), the Phase 3 website states that letters were sent on June 25, 2025 to prior petitioners confirming payments for those extended-period transactions. If you have additional transfers to submit beyond those already verified, you must file a new Petition for Remission before the current deadline.

How to File Your Western Union Phase 3 Remission Petition — Step by Step

Step 1 — Go to www.westernunionremissionphase3.com to verify the current deadline and download the Petition for Remission form. You can also file online through the claim portal at veritaconnect.com/WesternUnionRemissionPhase3/Claimant.

Step 2 — Gather your documentation. You will need: your full name and current mailing address; your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number (SSN/TIN); documentation of each Western Union wire transfer you made as a fraud victim (Western Union money transfer receipts, confirmation numbers, or transaction records); and any supporting documentation explaining the fraud — such as emails, texts, or written communications from the scammer.

Step 3 — If you no longer have your Western Union receipts, you can contact Western Union directly to request a copy of your receipt.

Step 4 — Complete the Petition for Remission form with the date, amount, and destination country of each fraudulent transfer. Describe the type of scam that prompted the transfer.

Step 5 — Submit your petition online through veritaconnect.com/WesternUnionRemissionPhase3/Claimant, or mail your completed petition to the Phase 3 mailing address listed on the official website.

Step 6 — The DOJ’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section will compare your petition against Western Union’s records. If your transfer is verified, you will be approved and receive a check.

Important — scam warning: The DOJ, FTC, and the remission administrator will NOT request petitioners pay any money to the administrator or anyone else in connection with the petition for remission process. If you receive such a request, it is fraudulent. Filing is completely free. You do not need a lawyer, and you should not pay anyone to help you file.

Check cashing: If you are in the United States, you must cash or deposit any remission check within 90 days of receipt.

The Western Union Fraud Remission Timeline — Phase by Phase

Milestone	Date / Amount
Western Union fraud scheme covers	January 1, 2004 – March 9, 2020
Western Union pays $586 million — DPA signed	January 19, 2017
FTC and DOJ announce consumer refund program	January 19, 2017
Phase 1 — remission process opens	2017
Phase 1 — over 500,000 petition forms mailed to identified victims	2018
Phase 1 — first distribution: $153 million to 109,000+ victims	March 2020
Phase 1 — second distribution: $147 million	September 2020
Phase 1 — third distribution: $66 million to ~6,000 victims	June 2021
Phase 1 — total distributed: over $365 million to 148,000+ victims	By 2022
Phase 2 — opens to new victims	March 2022
Phase 2 — original deadline	July 1, 2022
Phase 2 — deadline extended	August 31, 2022
Phase 2 — first Phase 2 distribution: ~$40 million to 24,000+ victims	September 2023
Phase 2 — second Phase 2 distribution: ~$18.5 million to ~3,000 victims	Early 2024
Phase 2 — Reconsideration Request Portal closes	December 31, 2024
Phase 3 opens — expanded to cover transfers through March 9, 2020	2025
Phase 3 — letters sent to prior Phase 1/2 petitioners re extended period	June 25, 2025
Phase 3 — original petition deadline posted	September 23, 2025
Phase 3 — current petition status	Portal active May 28, 2026 — verify current deadline at westernunionremissionphase3.com
Total distributed across all phases to date	Over $420 million to 175,000+ victims

Western Union Consumer Fraud Remission — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Western Union Phase 3 remission program a class action lawsuit? 

No. This is a criminal forfeiture remission — a government-administered program, not a private class action. Western Union entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the DOJ on January 19, 2017, admitted criminal wrongdoing, and forfeited $586 million. The DOJ is returning that money directly to fraud victims. The FTC resolved a parallel civil investigation simultaneously. There are no plaintiff attorneys or class representatives — the DOJ and Gilardi & Co. LLC administer the process directly.

What is the current Phase 3 deadline to file a Western Union fraud petition?

 The official Phase 3 website posted September 23, 2025 as the original petition deadline. However, the claim portal at veritaconnect.com/WesternUnionRemissionPhase3/Claimant remains active as of May 28, 2026. Every prior phase — Phase 1 and Phase 2 — had its deadline extended. Verify the current deadline at www.westernunionremissionphase3.com or by calling Gilardi & Co. LLC before filing.

I was scammed through Western Union between 2017 and 2020. Can I file for Phase 3?

Yes. Phase 3 expanded the eligible period to cover fraudulent Western Union wire transfers made from January 1, 2004 through March 9, 2020. Previously, only transfers through January 19, 2017 were covered. If you sent a fraudulent transfer between January 20, 2017 and March 9, 2020, Phase 3 is your first opportunity to file.

I already filed in Phase 1 or Phase 2. Should I file again?

 Only if you have additional transfers to claim in the extended period of January 20, 2017 through March 9, 2020 that were not covered by your prior petition. If you previously filed and the DOJ verified transfers from the extended period, a letter was sent to you on June 25, 2025 granting your petition for those transfers with a payment. If you have more transfers in the extended period beyond what was verified, file a new Phase 3 petition before the deadline.

What documentation do I need to file a Western Union Phase 3 remission petition? 

You need your SSN or TIN, documentation of the fraudulent wire transfer (transaction receipts, confirmation numbers, or records you can obtain from Western Union directly), and any supporting evidence of the fraud that induced the transfer — emails, text messages, or other communications. The stronger your documentation, the faster and more likely your verification.

What types of scams qualify for the Western Union fraud remission?

 Covered scams include online or internet scams where you did not receive items you tried to buy, lottery or prize promotion scams where you were told you won but never got the prize, emergency or grandparent scams where you sent money to someone pretending to be a relative in need, advance-fee loan scams where you paid upfront fees but received no loan, and online dating or romance scams where you sent money to someone with a fake profile.

Do I need a lawyer or have to pay anything to file a Western Union Phase 3 petition?

 No. Filing is completely free. You do not need a lawyer. Gilardi & Co. LLC and the Department of Justice will not ask you for any payment to participate in this remission process. Anyone who contacts you claiming you must pay to file, or charges you a fee to help you submit your petition, is running a scam.

How much will I get from the Western Union Phase 3 remission?

 Your payment equals the verified dollar amount of your fraudulent wire transfer — not a partial percentage. Every victim paid in all prior phases received full compensation for their verified losses. There is no shared fund that gets divided among claimants. If your transfer is verified, you recover the full amount.

I am not a U.S. citizen and I am not in the United States. Can I still file?

Yes. This program is open to victims worldwide. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or reside in the United States to file a Petition for Remission. International victims have been paid in every prior phase.

Sources Used in This Western Union Fraud Remission Article

FTC Official Refunds Page — Western Union Refunds: https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/western-union-refunds

DOJ Press Release — Western Union Phase 2 Announcement, July 6, 2022: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-phase-two-compensation-process-western-union-fraud-victims

DOJ Press Release — Second Phase 2 Distribution (~$18.5 million), February 2024: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-begins-second-distribution-forfeited-funds-compensate-victims-fraud

DOJ Press Release — Phase 2 First Distribution (~$40 million), September 2023: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/western-union-remission-fund-distributes-approximately-40m-victims-united-states-and-abroad

Official Phase 3 Remission Website: https://www.westernunionremissionphase3.com

Official Phase 2 Remission Website (historical reference): https://www.westernunionremissionphase2.com

Western Union Remission Phase 1 FAQ: https://www.westernunionremission.com/frequently-asked-questions.aspx

FTC Consumer Alert — Phase 2 Deadline Extended to August 31, 2022: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/07/did-you-pay-scammer-through-western-union-check-new-deadline-refunds

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against the official FTC refunds page, DOJ press releases, and the Western Union Remission Phase 3 website on May 28, 2026. Last Updated: May 28, 2026.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This is a government-administered remission program, not a private class action. Consult the official program website at www.westernunionremissionphase3.com or contact Gilardi & Co. LLC directly for the most current deadlines and eligibility information.