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Are you the victim of a phone scam? You might be able to get your money back — but time is running out
If you have friends or family who have fallen prey to a phone scam, there might be some relief on the way.
Victims who sent money to scammers using Western Union’s money-transfer service now have a way to get all of their cash back if they meet the terms of a recent settlement.
An amount of $586 million US became available from Western Union after a federal investigation in the United States targeted the company for its role in the scheme, in which scammers convinced people to send money — sometimes tens of thousands of dollars — through the transfer service.
Western Union avoided prosecution by setting aside the money, which is to be disbursed to scam victims who experienced a financial loss between Jan. 1, 2004 and Jan. 19, 2017.
In a deferred prosecution agreement, the company acknowledged responsibility for its criminal conduct, which included violations of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act and aiding and abetting wire fraud.
Although the settlement was reached in the U.S., compensation is available to victims globally, including those in Canada. So far, more than 148,000 people have been compensated.
But act fast: As Marketplace reports, this is a limited-time offer and claims must be made…
