Updated 11/30/2017

Anyone who's fallen victim to a scam and made their payment through Western Union may have a chance to get their money back, according to a media source.

The Federal Trade Commission says Western Union had known for years that scammers were using its system to commit significant fraud and didn't do enough to protect consumers so the FTC sued the company and Western Union agreed to pay $586 million to settle.

Anyone who lost money to a scammer and paid them through Western Union between January 2004 and January of this year can apply for a refund. All you have to do is report your loss by going online at the Federal Trade Commission's website.

You will be asked for documentation, such as receipts and transfer forms. If you don't have them, it's okay. You can still file a claim. Just give as much information as you have and can remember and the Department of Justice will do its best to validate what you submit.

Keep in mind, you have until Feb. 12 to file your claim. However, the Department of Justice says it may take up to a year to process all of the claims and get everyone's money back to them.