Kilmartin: Restitution Forms Mailed to Victims of Scams Using Western Union

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Islanders deceived into sending payments to scammers using Western Union’s wire transfer service may now apply for compensation from a $586 million fund administered by the Department of Justice’s Victim Asset Recovery Program, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced.

This fund is related to a multi-state settlement between 51 attorneys general and Western Union that was first announced in January.  Rhode Island residents may be eligible to receive compensation if they were a victim of a fraud-induced transfer using Western Union between January 1, 2004 and Jan. 19, 2017.

“Whether it’s an elderly relative, a friend or a neighbor, we probably all know someone who has been victimized by a clever scam artist. Far too many Rhode Islanders have lost money through scams involving bogus lotteries and contests, fake stories about emergencies involving relatives, or pleas for help from phony love interests, and a large percentage of these wire transfers were done through Western Union. That’s why I am pleased to see Western Union step up and provide restitution to scam victims, as well as implement new controls to identify potential scams and stop them from occurring,” said Attorney General Kilmartin.

“I was proud to join other attorneys general in resolving a multistate investigation involving Western Union and its subsequent agreement to a settlement, and I encourage as many victims as possible to pursue this process of getting their hard-earned money back,” added Kilmartin.

Rhode Islanders who reported to Western Union or to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office that they had been the victim of a scam using Western Union may receive a claim form in the mail. The claim form will be sent by the settlement administrator in the next two weeks. The form will contain instructions explaining how consumers may file their claim to receive compensation.

If you do not receive a claim form in the mail but believe you may have an eligible claim, please visit http://www.westernunionremission.com or call 1-844-319-2124 for more information on how to file a claim. All completed claims forms must be mailed back to the settlement administrator by February 12, 2018. The form will not ask for your bank account or credit card information or seek any payment from victims. Any such request for money or financial information is not from the program and should be reported to our office.

The Attorney General’s Office encourages Rhode Islanders to reach out to our Consumer Protection Unit by e-mail at[email protected] or by calling (401) 274-4400 if they have questions or concerns.