For nearly a decade, when I wrote The Morning Call’s Watchdog column, I warned about scams and frauds to help people avoid being duped.
I heard frequently from readers, locally and nationally, who told me my advice saved them. And, unfortunately, I heard from plenty of folks who hadn’t gotten the word and were ripped off.
This column is for them.
If you were ripped off by a con artist who tricked you into sending money by wiring it through MoneyGram, you have an opportunity to recoup at least some of what you lost.
The claims process is now open for victims to file for a share of a $125 million settlement MoneyGram International reached with federal authorities three years ago.
The deadline to file is Aug. 31, so don’t dally.
MoneyGram is compensating scam victims to resolve accusations by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission that it failed to honor the terms of two previous settlements over its system being used by scammers.
Authorities alleged MoneyGram did not follow through on promises to do more to prevent fraud and that allowed more people to be ripped off.
In the process, the company was making money because it charges a fee to wire cash.
You are eligible to file a claim if you sent a MoneyGram transfer to a scammer from the United States between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017, and if you used your name on the money transfer.
Some eligible victims who already have been identified by federal authorities were mailed a prefilled claim form in February. The claims process was opened on June 1 for other victims to participate.
Claims may be filed online at moneygramremission.com. Or, a paper form can be downloaded from that website and returned by mail.
Victims who do not have internet access must find a way to file online or download a claim form, as phone requests for a form are not an option. Ask a relative or friend for assistance or use a computer at your local library.
To file a claim, (formally referred to as a petition for remission), you must have a MoneyGram money transfer control number. That’s the eight-digit number assigned to each transfer. It is listed on receipts and completed send forms.
It could take more than a year for claims to be processed, so be patient. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will review claims, by comparing them with MoneyGram records. The claims are being handled by an administrator, Gilardi & Co. LLC.
Your Social Security number is required on the claim form because approved claims will be reviewed by the Treasury Offset Program to see if claimants owe money to the federal government. If you do, your payment will be used to pay that debt. If there is money left over, you will receive the balance.
There is no cost to file a claim form. If you receive a phone call, mail, email or social media message asking you to pay to receive your refund, that is a scam and you should disregard it.
Con artists often tell their victims to send them money through MoneyGram and other wire transfer services because the payments are instant and difficult to reverse. Never wire money to someone you don’t know.
Crooks use all sorts of schemes to get your money.
Common ones include the “grandparent scam,” where an elderly victim is told their grandchild is in jail or other trouble and needs bail money; lottery or sweepstakes scams where a victim is told they have won a prize but must pay taxes in advance; and online sale scams, where a victim pays for an item that is advertised on websites such as Craigslist and the item never is delivered.
Some crooks may ask for payment to be mailed in cash or sent through other means, such as online payment apps.
If you lose money, it is unlikely that you will get it back. The government’s settlement with MoneyGram is a rare exception. So be careful!
MoneyGram settlement
To file a claim and receive updates: moneygramremission.com
Questions: info@moneygramremission.com or 844-269-2630 (press option 19#, then 9 to speak with a representative)
Morning Call columnist Paul Muschick can be reached at 610-820-6582 or paul.muschick@mcall.com
