MoneyGram International Inc. (MoneyGram) has agreed to pay $125 million to settle charges brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). During the term of the Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) filed on November 9, 2012, the company’s anti-money laundering and anti-fraud programs experienced significant weaknesses, which caused a substantial rise in consumer fraud transactions. In addition, the FTC alleged that MoneyGram violated a court ordered Stipulated Permanent Injunction entered on October 21, 2009, by failing to detect and prevent consumer fraud as required.
Per the Amended and Extended Agreement (Agreement) with DOJ and the settlement with the FTC filed on November 8, 2018, MoneyGram paid $70 million and must pay the remaining $55 million by May 8, 2021. The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated various schemes in which fraudsters contacted victims and falsely posed as family members in need or federal law enforcement officials, particularly the Internal Revenue Service. Fraudsters falsely promised prizes, loans, employment opportunities, discounted products or other financial awards. The fraudsters directed the victims to send money through MoneyGram to assist relatives, avoid imprisonment or arrest, to claim prizes, receive loans, pay taxes or receive some other form of financial award. No one received the cash, prizes or other promised items.
TopThe money paid by MoneyGram will be made available to victims through a process called remission. The remission process is governed by the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 28, Part 9. If you file a claim, referred to as a petition for remission, detailing the loss amount, the US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) will compare the requests to MoneyGram records and decide whether to grant the petition. After USPIS has reviewed all the petitions, payments will be sent to people for some or all of their approved loss.
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The administrator has mailed pre-filled petition forms to victims that have been identified. These forms will show your known eligible loss based on records in the possession of the USPIS. If you get a pre-filled petition form and agree with the amount shown, sign and date the form and mail it back in the return envelope provided.
Victims who do not receive a pre-filled petition form by June 1, 2021 can complete a petition form online at moneygramremission.com. When submitting an online petition, a MoneyGram money transfer control number (MTCN) is a mandatory field. A MTCN is an eight digit number assigned to each MGI money transfer. The MTCN is listed on MGI receipts and completed MGI send forms. In addition, victims can also submit a petition via the mail and will be able to download a petition form to complete and forward. Victims will be able to attach MoneyGram receipts, MoneyGram send forms and MoneyGram historical reports to their submission.
Please file only one petition. Pre-populated petitions will have a Claim ID listed.
Mail your completed form to:
United States v. MoneyGram International Inc
P.O. Box 43549
Providence, RI 02940-3549
TopYou will have 90 days from the date listed on the pre-filled petition to return the completed petition. The final deadline for filing a pre filled petition is June 1, 2021.
On June 1, 2021, the portal to file a petition will open for those who did not receive a pre-filled petition. The final deadline for filing a petition during the open portal is August 31, 2021.
TopThe amount you receive will probably be less than the amount you lost. It also will not include any refund you previously received from MoneyGram.
Your payment will be based solely on the amount of the money transfer. You cannot recover other expenses, such as money transfer fees, incidental losses, or transfers sent through other companies.
TopTo be considered, you must file a Petition for Remission. If you do not submit a petition, you will not be eligible to get a payment. Please ensure you sign and date the petition.
TopIf you don’t agree with the loss amount printed on your pre-filled petition form, fill out the information requested on the petition form and supply documentation (MoneyGram receipts, send forms, or history reports with a listed eight (8) digit money transfer control number) to support your claim. Do not send original receipts.
TopNo. You are not required to be a United States citizen or in the United States to file a petition.
TopIt will take up to one year or more to review and verify petitions, and determine who is eligible to receive a payment. Check www.moneygramremission.com for updates on the status of the process.
TopIf you do not submit a Petition for Remission, you will not receive a payment.
TopIf your petition is approved, it must be reviewed by the Treasury Offset Program to verify that you do not owe any money to the federal government. If you owe money, your payment will be used to pay your debt. If your payment is more than the amount you owe, you will get the remainder.
TopYes. If the person who transferred the money is deceased, please submit the petition in the deceased person’s name, and include verification of the death (death certificate), documents showing that you represent the estate (Will or Trust), and a copy of your current government-issued identification with the petition. Your Social Security Number will not be shared or used for any other purpose.
TopYes. Please submit the Power of Attorney and a copy of your current government-issued identification with your petition.
TopIf you need your name changed because of a marriage, divorce or name change, please send a copy of your marriage license, divorce decree or legal documents reflecting the name change, and a copy of your current government-issued identification with your petition.
TopNo, you do not need an attorney to file a petition. Do not send money to anyone who contacts you and says they will assist you with filing your petition or getting your money back.
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No. There are no fees associated with filing a petition or being a part of the remission process. Never send money to someone who contacts you by mail, telephone or email and promises to assist you in filing your petition or get money back.
TopFor the latest information about the remission process: