If you lost money to a scammer through Western Union from 2004 to 2017, you may be eligible for a refund. Find out how you can make a claim.

On this page

Eligibility

All wire transfers made through Western Union within and outside of the United States between 1 January 2004 and 19 January 2017 may be eligible for remission. Australian consumers can submit a claim to the US DOJ either online or by post until 31 May 2018.

Claims process

Information about making a claim is available from: http://www.westernunionremission.com

Finding your Western Union transaction details

If you need help finding information that shows you made a Western Union transfer, you can ask one of the following organisations if they can help: 

  • Western Union Australia Australia and New Zealand
  • AUSTRAC.

Western Union Australia Australia and New Zealand

Under Australian Privacy Principle 12 (Privacy Act 1988), you can request details of your transaction history to:

Western Union Financial Services, Inc.
P.O. Box Q1522, QVB Post Office
Sydney NSW Australia 1230

privacy@westernunion.com
1800 173 833

Note: it will take up to 30 days for Western Union Australia and New Zealand to respond to your request.

AUSTRAC

AUSTRAC, a Commonwealth Government agency,  has offered to assist Australians to gather evidence of their transaction with Western Union.

Email contact@austrac.gov.au with the subject line “WU Remission Scheme, [your Full Name]”. The email should include:

  • your full name
  • address at the time of sending the funds
  • date funds were sent
  • full name of recipient
  • address and country of the recipient
  • amount sent in AUD
  • branch or outlet funds were sent from.

See also: Did AUSTRAC contact me? Frauds and scams

IDCARE guidance on making a claim

IDCARE Western Union Claim Guidance (pdf)

Scam Warning

You should also beware of scammers trying to use this case to impersonate government departments or Western Union in order to trick you into sending them money or personal information. To avoid this, make sure you follow the instructions on the US DOJ website, do not respond to unsolicited emails about this process and do not transfer any money to anyone in relation to this matter. Please note that the US DOJ is using the legal firm Gilardi & Co LLC to assist with the claims process.

More information

Victims scammed via Western Union may get refund

Read more

Don't be lured by a surprise win. These scams try to trick you into giving money upfront or your personal information in order to receive a prize from a lottery or competition that you never entered.
Scammers use dating or friendship to get your money. They go to great lengths to convince you the relationship is real and manipulate you to give them money. Romance scammers will leave you broke and broken-hearted.
Scammers will use any means possible to steal your identity or your money – including threatening your life or 'hijacking' your computer.