Did you know that Walmart is a hotspot for scams? It’s true! From gift card scams to fake product ads, criminals are targeting Walmart shoppers more than ever before.
That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive list of the most common Walmart scams. Read on and learn what to watch out for and how to protect yourself from these scam artists!
Walmart Scams In [currentyear]
As America’s largest retailer, Walmart is a great place to shop for bargains, but it’s also a popular place for scammers to operate in [currentyear]. From fake coupons to email phishing schemes, there’s no shortage of ways for scammers to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers. Thankfully, Walmart has multiple ways to protect shoppers, beginning with excellent customer service.
Keep reading to learn about the most common Walmart scams and what to do if you’re scammed on Walmart.com!
What Are the Most Common Walmart Scams?
While Walmart is known for offering low prices, it’s also become a prime target for scammers.
From fake coupons to bogus sweepstakes, there are a variety of scams that shoppers should be aware of.
Here is a complete list of the most popular scams targeting Walmart shoppers.
1. Vishing or Fake Calls From Walmart
One of the first steps in many scams is to get you on the phone. Vishing is a type of scam where scammers try to trick you into giving them personal information over the phone.
A scammer may reach out to a customer saying they’re calling from Walmart or another company, like a credit card issuer, and try to trick them into giving them personal information.
2. Phishing or Fake Walmart Emails
In addition, some scammers also send fake emails, phishing, that look like they’re from Walmart.
They may try to get you to click on a link that will take you to a phony website where you’ll be asked to enter personal information, or they may ask you to reply with personal information.
3. Smishing or Fake Walmart Text Messages
Likewise, scammers also send fake text messages, also known as smishing texts.
Through these text messages, scammers may try to trick you into giving them personal information or clicking on a link in the text that will take you to a fake Walmart website.
4. Fake Walmart Foundation/Walmart.org Donations Scams
At times, scammers may even show up at your door pretending to be from Walmart.
Once they show up at your home, they may try to trick you into thinking they’re from the Walmart Foundation or Walmart.org
Then the scammer will try to sell you fake products or services, or they may ask for a donation.
Additionally, They may say you need to pay a fee to apply for a grant, or they may ask for your credit card information to “verify” your identity.
5. Free iPhone
One commonly seen scam targeting iPhone users is where scammers will claim to send you a fake iPhone.
They may ask you to pay for it with a gift card, and then they’ll keep the money and never send you the phone.
6. Fake Walmart Gift Cards
Additionally, scammers may also try to get shoppers to buy gift cards and then give them the codes on the back of the cards.
They may claim to be a business that can only accept gift card payments due to corporate regulations or overseas policies.
Likewise, scammers may also try to blackmail you or extort money via gift cards. They may say they have information about you that they’ll release if you don’t pay them.
Often, they even send you a fake official email that looks like it’s from Walmart.
7. IRS and Government Imposter Scams
Another scam that typically involves gift cards uses the IRS. With these scams, scammers may also try to trick you into thinking they’re from the IRS or another government agency.
They may say you owe money or will be arrested if you don’t pay them (usually through a gift card). They may even send you a fake email that looks like it’s from the IRS.
8. Fake Walmart Marketplace Product Reviews
When shopping on the Walmart marketplace, shoppers should be wary of fake product reviews.
Some sellers on the marketplace may post bogus reviews to trick shoppers into thinking a product or service is good.
9. Fake Walmart Sweepstakes
Another common scam is the fake sweepstakes. Typically, these schemes involve an email or social media post claiming that you’ve won a large prize from Walmart.
To claim your winnings, you’re instructed to provide personal information or pay a fee. However, there’s no prize, and you’ve simply wasted your time and money.
10. Failed Walmart Delivery Scam
Sometimes scammers may also try to trick you into thinking you’ve missed delivery from Walmart.
Due to the missed delivery, they may say you need to pay a fee to reschedule the delivery, or they may ask for your credit card information to “verify” your identity.
11. Walmart Replace and Refund Scam
In addition, shoppers should be wary when making returns. Scammers may also trick you into thinking you’re getting a refund or replacement from Walmart.
They may say you need to pay a fee to get the refund or replacement, or they may ask for your credit card information to “verify” your identity.
12. Fake Return Scam
Similarly, Walmart and third-party sellers may also be targeted by return scams.
With the fake return scam, a scammer pretends to return an item to the store to get a refund but actually keeps the item for themselves.
Although this scam targets the store, its impact may eventually lead to price increases that will be seen by customers as well.
13. Pre-Approved Walmart Credit Scams
With this scam, a shopper is offered a pre-approved Walmart credit card with a low-interest rate, but the card actually has high fees and interest rates upon application.
14. Employment Scam
There’s also a scam where scammers will trick you into thinking you’re applying for a job at Walmart.
They may ask you to pay a fee to apply or ask for your credit card information to “verify” your identity. For a list of current openings, begin your job search on the Walmart career website.
15. Walmart Work From Home Jobs
Similarly, scammers may also try to trick you into thinking you can get a work-from-home job with Walmart that does not exist.
Although specific roles at Walmart may be remote jobs, it is best to find trusted career information on the Walmart career website.
16. Walmart Pallets for Sale
When looking for a deal, shoppers may find scammers that trick you into thinking you’re buying Walmart pallets for sale on a secondary site like eBay.
However, after delivery, they may discover products are broken, missing, or of low quality.
17. Walmart Coupon Scam
One of the most common scams is fake coupons. These fraudulent offers circulate online, promising huge discounts on popular items.
However, when shoppers try to redeem the coupon, they find that it’s not valid or expired.
18. Walmart Bait and Switch Offers
Another commonly seen scam occurs when a shopper is lured into the store with the promise of a low-priced item, only to be told that the item is out of stock and offered a more expensive substitute.
19. Counterfeit Walmart Products
One popular scam involves someone offering to sell you deeply discounted merchandise, often electronics or designer clothing.
In most cases, the merchandise is counterfeit and of inferior quality. In other cases, the items may be stolen. Either way, it’s best to steer clear of any offers that seem too good to be true.
20. Fake Walmart Employees
Another common scam involves someone posing as a Walmart employee.
Usually, this person will approach shoppers in an area where few other people are around, such as in the parking lot or an empty aisle.
They’ll then offer to help you with your shopping or give you a special deal on an item.
In many cases, this person will try to get your personal information or credit card number under the guise of giving you a “reward” for being a loyal shopper.
What to Do If You Think You Have Been Scammed On Walmart.com
When a shopper believes they have been scammed, there are a few things they can do:
- Contact Walmart Customer Service
- Contact the Third-Party Marketplace Seller
- Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint
- Report it to the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org/complaint
- Report it to your local law enforcement agency
- Report it to the National Consumers League at nclnet.org/complaint
Furthermore, shoppers can also visit Walmart’s website for more information on reporting a scam:
https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2019/04/15/walmart-launches-new-effort-to-combat-scams.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on what is Walmart, is Walmart safe, and Walmart donation program.
Conclusion
As you can see, there’s no shortage of ways to get taken advantage of while shopping at Walmart.
So, next time you’re browsing the internet or scrolling through social media, be on the lookout for these Walmart scams – and don’t let yourself be taken advantage of.
