Claims Process Opens for Consumers Who Were Victimized by Fraudulent MoneyGram Transfers

Consumers who lost money to fraudsters and paid through MoneyGram between 2013 and 2017 can now file a claim to get their money back. This claims process is the result of settlements with the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice charging that MoneyGram violated previous agreements with the government to crack down on fraudulent money transfers.

“MoneyGram profited by making it easy for con-artists to get away with people’s hard earned money. Today, people can begin to recover, and we urge anyone who lost money to a scammer via MoneyGram to file a claim and get their check,” said Daniel Kaufman, Acting Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “We’re also committed to ensuring that MoneyGram lives up to its promises in the future to crack down on fraud in its system.”

In February 2021, prefilled forms were mailed to victims who had already been identified.  Beginning June 1, 2021, people who did not receive prefilled forms, but were victimized through MoneyGram, may file claims online or obtain a paper claim form (referred to as a petition) at the website: www.moneygramremission.com. These claims must be submitted by August 31, 2021. The claims process is being overseen by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Money transfers are a preferred method of payment for fraudsters because money sent through money transfer systems can be picked up quickly at locations all over the world, and once the money is paid out, it is all but impossible for consumers to get their money back. The systems also often allow scam artists to remain anonymous when receiving money from their victims.

In a 2018 court filing, the FTC alleged that MoneyGram violated the FTC’s 2009 order by failing to implement the comprehensive fraud prevention program mandated by that order. That order required MoneyGram to promptly investigate, restrict, suspend, and terminate high-fraud agents.