SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
U.S. FTC MoneyGram Refund Program Opens To Take Claims
A SCARS Special Report
Finally, After Nearly 4 Years Of Waiting!
However, Pay Attention Because The Time Is VERY Short To Apply For A Refund
Qualifications:
- Sent money via MoneyGram between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017
- Any scam victim in any country
If you used MoneyGram to send money to a scammer between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017, you may be eligible to file a claim for a refund.
The company handling claims — Gilardi & Co. LLC — is distributing $125 million from MoneyGram’s 2018 settlements with the FTC and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). In those cases, the FTC and DOJ charged that MoneyGram failed to meet agreements to crack down on consumer fraud involving money transfers.
You’re 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
- you used your name on the money transfer.
THE DEADLINE TO FILE A CLAIM ONLINE OR BY MAIL
is
August 31, 2021
You don’t have to be a US citizen to file a claim.
If you already returned a prefilled form to Gilardi & Co. LLC, you don’t need to file another claim.
If you have not been contacted or previously filed a claim, you can file online, or print the claim form and mail it in with copies of MoneyGram receipts, “send” forms, and transaction history reports.
Do not worry if you do not have all of your receipts – you can file and address the missing receipts later. MoneyGram does have all of these records. The most important thing is to send a claim before the deadline – even if it is incomplete.
The claim form requires you to give your Social Security number (SSN) (for U.S. residents). That’s because the federal Treasury Offset Program must find out whether you owe money to the US government before you can get a payment. It needs your SSN to do that – if you do not live in the U.S. and have a SSN you can use the paper form and submit it by mail.
You don’t have to pay fees to file your claim.
You don’t need a lawyer to file a claim. Don’t pay anyone who contacts you and says they’ll help you file a claim or get your money back.
When you file a claim, you have to give a MoneyGram money transfer control number (MTCN), an eight-digit number assigned to a MoneyGram transfer. It’s listed on MoneyGram receipts and completed “send” forms. If you do not have them, try to provide as much information as possible – remember that if you sent the money online, your MoneyGram account will have those transaction numbers in your account.
For more information about eligibility, the claims process, and other topics, go to ftc.gov/moneygram and moneygramremission.com
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ARTICLE META
Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
SCARS Institute articles examine different aspects of the scam victim experience, as well as those who may have been secondary victims. This work focuses on understanding victimization through the science of victimology, including common psychological and behavioral responses. The purpose is to help victims and survivors understand why these crimes occurred, reduce shame and self-blame, strengthen recovery programs and victim opportunities, and lower the risk of future victimization.
At times, these discussions may sound uncomfortable, overwhelming, or may be mistaken for blame. They are not. Scam victims are never blamed. Our goal is to explain the mechanisms of deception and the human responses that scammers exploit, and the processes that occur after the scam ends, so victims can better understand what happened to them and why it felt convincing at the time, and what the path looks like going forward.
Articles that address the psychology, neurology, physiology, and other characteristics of scams and the victim experience recognize that all people share cognitive and emotional traits that can be manipulated under the right conditions. These characteristics are not flaws. They are normal human functions that criminals deliberately exploit. Victims typically have little awareness of these mechanisms while a scam is unfolding and a very limited ability to control them. Awareness often comes only after the harm has occurred.
By explaining these processes, these articles help victims make sense of their experiences, understand common post-scam reactions, and identify ways to protect themselves moving forward. This knowledge supports recovery by replacing confusion and self-blame with clarity, context, and self-compassion.
Additional educational material on these topics is available at ScamPsychology.org – ScamsNOW.com and other SCARS Institute websites.
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
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