This article was originally posted by the FTC. See the original article here.

If you used MoneyGram to send money to a scammer between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017, you may get a prefilled claim form in the mail soon. The claim forms, from claims administrator Gilardi & Co. LLC, are the first step in distributing money from the $125 million settlement with the FTC in 2018. In that case, the FTC and US Department of Justice (DOJ) charged that MoneyGram failed to meet agreements to crack down on consumer fraud involving money transfers.

You must return the claim form within 90 days 

from the date on the form to be eligible for a refund.

These prefilled claim forms show eligible dollar loss amounts that are based on fraud reports people filed with MoneyGram and law enforcement. If you get a form and agree with the dollar loss amount shown:

  • sign and date the form
  • fill out the information the form asks for
  • mail it back in the return envelope that came with the letter

If you get a form but don’t agree with the dollar loss amount shown:

  • sign and date the form
  • fill out the information the form asks for
  • mail it back with copies of documents that back up the amount you claim. You can send copies of MoneyGram receipts, “send” forms, or transaction history reports with a listed eight-digit money transfer control number (MTCN). You can request a transaction history report on the MoneyGram website.

The claim form requires you to give your Social Security number (SSN). 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.

You don’t have to pay 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, or help you get your money back.

On June 1, 2021, people who didn’t get a prefilled form can start filing claims online at moneygramremission.com. When you file a claim online, you have to give a MoneyGram MTCN. Or, you will be able to print the claim form and mail it in with copies of MoneyGram receipts, “send” forms, and transaction history reports. If you plan to file in June, you can start to collect — and make copies of — your receipts and other paperwork now. Once that process opens, the deadline to file a claim is August 31, 2021.

For more information about eligibility, the claims process, and other topics, go to ftc.gov/moneygram and moneygramremission.com.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.