An estimated 2,300 West Virginians are eligible for refunds in a multi-million dollar settlement with Western Union.
A news release from West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's office Tuesday said that West Virginia residents are eligible to be reimbursed for $2.9 million of a $591 million settlement between Western Union and 49 states and the District of Columbia.
The agreement resolves an investigation into using the wire transfer service for third-party scams, the release states.
Western Union must develop and implement a comprehensive anti-fraud program designed to help detect and prevent incidents where consumers who have been the victims of fraud, the settlement stipulates.
"I believe this will institute key safeguards, however it is no replacement for common sense and caution," the release states. "Consumers must carefully evaluate any which resolves a multistate investigation into using the wire transfer service for third-party scams."
Such scams involve "grandparent scams and tax scams," all of which the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division's Consumer Protection Division has been made aware of.