Hawley announces fraud victims may get compensation from Western Union fund

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley announced on Wednesday that Missourians who were scammed out of money using Western Union’s wire transfer service may now apply for compensation.

Hawley said the compensation will come from a $586 million fund administered by the Department of Justice’s Victim Asset Recovery Program.

The fund is a result of a settlement between all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Western Union that was announced in January.

Those eligible are fraud victims that used Western Union between January 2004 and Jan. 19, 2017.

“I am pleased that Missourians who were victims of scams will see their hard-earned money returned,” Hawley said. “My office will continue to fight for consumers and work to prosecute those who defraud Missourians.”

Hawley said those who reported the scams to the Missouri Attorney General’s office should be receiving a claim form in the mail within the next two weeks. The form will contain instructions on how to file claims.

Hawley said if victims do not receive a claim, they can click here or call 1-844-319-2124.

All completed claims must be mailed back to the settlement administrator by Feb. 12, 2018.