Question 1

What counts as an "error" if my money transfer never arrived?

Accepted Answer

12 CFR 1005.33(a)(1)(iv) — funds not available to the designated recipient by the disclosed Date Available: late delivery, non-delivery, delivery to the wrong account, FRAUDULENT PICKUP by a person other than the designated recipient, and agent retention all count (comment 33(a)-5.i–iv)

Question 2

How long do I have to report a remittance transfer that never arrived?

Accepted Answer

180 days after the disclosed "Date Available" on your receipt (12 CFR 1005.33(b)(1)(i) — notice timely if received no later than 180 days after the DISCLOSED date of availability (oral notice counts; notice to an agent counts, comment 33(b)-5)); extended to 60 days after the provider sends requested documentation if that is later.

Question 3

Do I get my fees back if the transfer never arrived?

Accepted Answer

12 CFR 1005.33(c)(2)(ii)(B) + comment 33(c)-8 — for late/non-delivery errors under (a)(1)(iv), the provider must ALSO refund any fees imposed and (to the extent not prohibited by law) taxes collected, INCLUDING third-party/intermediary fees

Question 4

Can I choose a refund instead of having the money resent?

Accepted Answer

12 CFR 1005.33(c)(2) — the provider must "correct the error as designated by the sender": REFUND or RESEND (making the amount available to the designated recipient without additional cost), sender's choice; a default remedy may apply only if the sender does not elect within a reasonable time (10 days deemed reasonable, comment 33(c)-4)

Question 5

Can I sue for triple damages if my transfer never arrived?

Accepted Answer

No — NO TREBLE for remittance claims: treble damages live in 15 U.S.C. 1693f(e), and §1693o-1(e)(1) EXPRESSLY excepts §1693f from the provisions applying to remittance transfers. Never promise treble.

Step	Deadline	Basis
You report the error	180 days from the disclosed Date Available (or 60 days after the provider sends requested documentation, if later)	12 CFR 1005.33(b)(1)(i) — notice timely if received no later than 180 days after the DISCLOSED date of availability (oral notice counts; notice to an agent counts, comment 33(b)-5)
Provider investigates	90 days from your notice	12 CFR 1005.33(c)(1) — provider must investigate and determine whether an error occurred within 90 days of the notice
Provider reports results	3 business days after completing the investigation	12 CFR 1005.33(c)(1) — results reported within 3 business days of completing the investigation, including available remedies
Your elected remedy executed	1 business day of your election	12 CFR 1005.33(c)(2) — remedy executed within 1 business day of the sender's election (or as soon as reasonably practicable)

Money transfer never arrived? Here is the federal right almost no sender uses

The fee add-back most senders never claim

The exceptions the provider may try to raise

The clock

What you get — and what you don't

California senders: an extra lever

Escalation that no arbitration clause can remove