Western Union is dishing out millions of dollars to victims of fraud and scams.
Following a joint investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Department of Justice and the US Postal Inspection Service, the financial services company admitted to aiding and abetting wire fraud and has agreed to pay $586-million in compensation.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre spokesperson Jessica Gunson says Canadian victims are eligible to make claims as well.
"Consumers who have sent money through Western Union to a scammer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 can submit a claim to receive part of the money that has been collected by the joint investigation," says Gunson. "The majority of consumers that lose money to fraud never see that money back, so the fact that this remission is happening is a great opportunity for a victim to receive some, if not all, of their losses back."
The scams covered by the refunds include the emergency or grandparent scam where victims sent money through Western Union to someone pretending to be a relative or friend in urgent need of cash.
Gunson says claims for refunds must be submitted by February 12, 2018.
Visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's website for more information.
