Victims of scams urged to file for compensation

Pennsylvania consumers who were duped into sending money to scam artists through Western Union’s wire transfer service can now file a claim for restitution from a national settlement fund.

The fund is the result of a settlement in January between Western Union, the U.S. Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission, which required the Englewood, Colo., company to forfeit $586 million and set up anti-fraud measures aimed at protecting consumers from being victimized in the future.

“We hear all the time from folks who have lost money through wire transfer scams,” including one elderly man from central Pennsylvania who lost over $200,000, attorney general Josh Shapiro said in a statement Thursday urging victims to apply for compensation. “This settlement will directly help Pennsylvanianswho were harmed.”

The state’s share of the fund is estimated at $21.5 million.

Money transfer scams involve crooks contacting potential victims and falsely posing as a family member who needs help, or promising prizes or job opportunities. Victims end up sending money through Western Union hoping to help their relative or claim their prize.

Consumers should visit www.westernunionremission. or call 1-844-3192124 to determine if they might be eligible for compensation and learn how to file a claim.

The settlement covers people who were victimized between Jan. 1, 2004, and Jan. 19, 2017.

Pennsylvanians who already filed complaints against Western Union will automatically receive claim forms in the mail over the next several weeks along with instructions for filing a claim via mail or online.

Completed claim forms must be mailed by Feb. 12, 2018.