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Western Union Phase 3 remission settlement for fraud victims — $586 million DOJ fund compensation claim

Western Union agreed to a $586 million DOJ settlement for wire fraud failures. Phase 3 remission payments are available to eligible fraud victims who sent money via Western Union between 2004 and 2017.

Western Union Remission Phase 3 – Fraud Victim Compensation

Western Union Phase 3 remission pays fraud victims from a $586M DOJ fund. Check eligibility and file your claim at the official site. Act now.

Settlement Features

Financial Services
PIN Required
DOJ Settlement
Fraud Victims
Wire Transfer Fraud
Federal Remission
ID Required
Telemarketing Fraud
Elder Fraud

Settlement Overview

What Is the Western Union Remission Phase 3?

The Western Union Remission Phase 3 is part of a large-scale federal restitution program administered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). It stems from a $586 million forfeiture and settlement reached with Western Union in January 2017, after the company admitted to willfully failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and aiding and abetting wire fraud. Victims who were defrauded through Western Union money transfers — particularly in telemarketing, lottery, and grandparent scams — may be eligible to receive compensation from this fund.

The official claim website for Phase 3 is located at westernunionremissionphase3.com, which is managed under the oversight of the DOJ's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) and administered by Gilardi & Co. LLC (a Kroll company). This is the third and potentially final phase of remission payments to qualifying fraud victims.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility is generally limited to individuals who were defrauded through a Western Union money transfer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017. Victims must have previously submitted a petition during an earlier phase or may be newly identified claimants depending on the specific Phase 3 guidelines. If you received a notice or PIN in the mail, you are likely a recognized potential victim and should file promptly.

How Much Can You Receive?

Individual payment amounts vary based on the total number of approved claims and the amount of verified losses. In prior phases, payments ranged from a small percentage of losses to more substantial amounts depending on claim volume. The total fund is $586 million, and Phase 3 distributes remaining or newly allocated funds. Claimants should check the official website for the most current payment estimates.

Background on the Western Union Fraud Settlement

In February 2017, the DOJ announced that Western Union agreed to pay $586 million and admitted to criminal violations including failure to maintain an effective anti-money laundering (AML) program. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also played a role in the remission process. Fraudsters used Western Union's network to collect payments from victims of telemarketing fraud, romance scams, lottery scams, and family emergency (grandparent) scams — often targeting elderly Americans.

The remission process has been conducted in multiple phases. Phase 1 and Phase 2 distributed funds to previously identified victims. Phase 3 represents an additional distribution effort, potentially reaching victims who were not compensated in earlier phases or who submitted new documentation of their losses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need a PIN to file a Phase 3 claim?

A: If you received a mailed notice with a PIN or Claim ID, you will likely need that identifier to file online. If you did not receive a notice but believe you are a victim, visit the official website to determine if you can submit a new petition. Do not assume no identification is required — check the official site at westernunionremissionphase3.com.

Q: What if I already filed in Phase 1 or Phase 2?

A: If you filed in a prior phase and were approved, you may automatically receive a Phase 3 payment without re-filing. However, if your prior claim was denied or you have new loss documentation, you may need to submit additional information. Verify your status on the official claim website.

Q: What types of fraud qualify?

A: Qualifying fraud types include telemarketing scams, lottery and prize scams, grandparent/family emergency scams, romance scams, and other fraud schemes where the victim sent money via Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017.

Q: How will payments be made?

A: Payments are typically issued by check mailed to the address on file. Claimants should ensure their mailing address is current when filing or updating their claim on the official website.

Q: Is there a deadline to file?

A: Deadlines for Phase 3 have been subject to change. Visit westernunionremissionphase3.com for the most current filing deadline. Missing the deadline may result in forfeiture of your right to compensation.

Q: Is this program legitimate?

A: Yes. This is an official U.S. Department of Justice remission program. The official website is westernunionremissionphase3.com. Be cautious of scammers impersonating this program — the DOJ and its administrator will never ask you to pay a fee to receive your remission payment.

Who Is Eligible?

  • You were a victim of fraud involving a Western Union money transfer sent between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017.
  • The fraud involved schemes such as telemarketing scams, lottery/prize scams, grandparent/family emergency scams, romance scams, or similar wire fraud.
  • You (or someone on your behalf) sent money via Western Union as a result of being deceived by a fraudster.
  • You may have received a mailed notice with a PIN or Claim ID from the settlement administrator, indicating you were identified as a potential victim.
  • Victims who filed in Phase 1 or Phase 2 may be eligible for additional Phase 3 payments without re-filing, depending on their prior claim status.
  • New claimants who did not participate in prior phases should check the official website to determine if late or new petitions are accepted under Phase 3 rules.
  • Claimants must be U.S. residents or have suffered losses through U.S.-based Western Union transactions (international victims may also qualify — check the official site).

How to File a Claim

  1. Visit the official claim website at westernunionremissionphase3.com.
  2. Locate your PIN or Claim ID from any mailed notice you received. This identifier is typically required to access your claim online.
  3. Complete the online claim form by entering your personal information, contact details, and details about the fraud you experienced, including the date(s) and amount(s) sent via Western Union.
  4. Upload or submit supporting documentation if requested, such as receipts, money transfer records, or other evidence of the fraudulent transaction(s).
  5. Review and submit your claim. Save or print your confirmation number for your records.
  6. Monitor your claim status by returning to the official website or contacting the settlement administrator if you have questions about your submission.
  7. If you did not receive a mailed notice but believe you are eligible, check the website for instructions on submitting a new petition or contact the administrator directly.
File Your Claim Now

Documentation Requirements

⚠️ Identification Likely Required: Based on the structure of this DOJ remission program, claimants who received a mailed notice will need their PIN or Claim ID to file online. This is not a 'no proof required' claim. Additionally, you may be asked to provide documentation of your Western Union transaction(s), such as money transfer receipts, confirmation numbers, or other records of the fraud. Check the official website at westernunionremissionphase3.com for the exact proof requirements applicable to Phase 3, as requirements may differ from prior phases.

Payout Details

Total Settlement Fund: $586 million (DOJ forfeiture, distributed across all phases)

Individual Payout: Varies based on verified losses and total number of approved claims. Prior phases paid varying percentages of documented losses. Phase 3 amounts will depend on remaining fund allocation and claim volume.

Payment Method: Checks mailed to the address on file with the settlement administrator.

Payment Timeline: Payments are issued after the claim review period closes and all claims are processed. Timelines vary — monitor the official website for updates.

Note: There is no fee to file a claim. If anyone asks you to pay a fee to receive your remission payment, it is a scam.

Key Information

Payout Range

Varies - Varies

Claim Deadline

August 19, 2026

64 days left

Total Settlement Fund

$586 Million

Settlement Administrator Contact
Name: Gilardi & Co. LLC (a Kroll company), on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice
Address: Western Union Remission Phase 3, c/o Gilardi & Co. LLC, P.O. Box 6176, Novato, CA 94948-6176
Submit Claim Now

By clicking "Submit Claim Now", you will be directed to the official settlement website to file your claim directly with the settlement administrator.