Those defrauded through Western Union from 2004 to 2017 are eligible to claim their money back until May 31.

In January 2017, the Western Union Company, a global money services business headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, agreed to pay $586 million to resolve charges brought by the United States Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The FTC alleged Western Union’s money transfer system was able to be used by criminals to get payments from victims and that Western Union failed to have effective anti-fraud policies and procedures in place.

As a result of the settlement, people who lost money to scammers and paid via Western Union's money transfer system between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017, can now file a claim to get their money back by going to the following link: 

www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/refunds/western-union-settlement-faqs

Canadian consumers are eligible to make claims.

All claims must be filed by May 31, 2018.