Walmart Scams In 2022: The Top 20 Scams Targeting Walmart Shoppers
Walmart is one of the most popular retailers in the world, with millions of customers visiting its stores and website every single day. Unfortunately, this high volume of traffic also makes Walmart a prime target for scammers and fraudsters.
In 2022, Walmart shoppers need to stay especially vigilant. Everything from gift card scams to phishing emails are being used to try and trick unsuspecting customers.
To help you avoid falling victim to a Walmart scam, here is a comprehensive list of the top 20 Walmart scams to watch out for right now.
Introduction: Why You Need To Watch Out For Walmart Scams
With over 4,700 stores in the United States alone, Walmart sees more than 140 million customers pass through its doors each week. In addition, Walmart.com receives around 45 million visits every month.
This extremely high volume of traffic makes Walmart a hotspot for scammers and fraudsters. The criminals know that with so many customers, there is a good chance of finding victims.
Some of the reasons why Walmart is such an attractive target include:
- Large customer base – Criminals have access to millions of potential targets
- Trust in brand – Customers let their guard down when dealing with a well-known brand like Walmart
- Variety of contact points – Scams can target shoppers in-store, online, via phone, email etc.
- Third party marketplace – Scammers can also target Walmart Marketplace sellers and buyers
Everyone from individual consumers to businesses selling on the Walmart Marketplace need to be aware of the deceptive tactics scammers use.
Being informed is the best defense. Read on to find out about the most common scams to watch out for right now.
The Top 20 Walmart Scams Of 2022
1. Fake calls or vishing
This scam starts with a phone call that appears to be from Walmart, or sometimes a related company like a credit card issuer. The criminals will claim there is some issue with your account that needs urgent attention.
By acting concerned and helpful, they try to trick you into providing personal information like credit card numbers, SSN, birth date etc. These details are then used for identity theft and fraudulent purchases.
Red flags: Asking for sensitive information, claiming your account is compromised, insisting you need to act quickly.
2. Phishing emails
Phishing uses email to steal personal and financial information. The scam emails are made to look exactly like official Walmart communications.
They may claim you have unpaid bills, recently placed an unusual order, there is a problem with delivery etc. You are prompted to click a link which leads to a fake website that looks just like Walmart.com. Once there, you are encouraged to enter account details that the criminals capture.
Red flags: Poor grammar/spelling, generic greetings, asks for personal information, suspicious links.
3. Smishing/text message scams
Similar to phishing, smishing uses cell phone text messages to perpetrate scams. You may get a text supposedly from Walmart saying your order cannot be delivered or that there is a problem with your account.
The message contains a link to a site that looks official but is designed to steal your information. Sometimes criminals send smishing texts with gift card redemption codes, gaining access to the funds once redeemed.
Red flags: Suspicious links, requests for personal info, pressure to act quickly, unsolicited messages.
4. Fake donations or charity scams
This scam starts with someone coming to your door claiming to represent Walmart charities like the Walmart Foundation. They will claim to be fundraising for causes like children‘s hospitals or cancer research.
You are then pressured into making a donation or buying products to support the cause. In reality, they pocket your money and move on to the next target.
Red flags: Door-to-door soliciting, high pressure tactics, requests for cash or gift cards, no identification.
5. Free iPhone offers
Social media ads or websites offer a free iPhone just for filling out a short survey. After completing the survey, you are told to pay a small shipping fee via gift card. Scammers take the gift card details and you never receive the promised iPhone.
Red flags: Offers too good to be true, request for unusual payment method, lack of proper company information.
6. Gift card scams
Gift cards have become a preferred method of payment for scammers. You may get an email or call claiming to be from a legitimate business requesting payment by gift card.
Reasons given include account verification, offshore suppliers, or avoiding high credit card fees. If you provide the gift card code, the criminals redeem the funds.
Red flags: Requests for payment by gift card, threats about your account being closed, time pressure to act quickly.
7. Government imposter scams
These scams leverage fear by claiming to be from the IRS, Medicare or other government agencies. You are told you owe money and will be arrested or fined if immediate payment isn‘t made by gift card.
Emails containing fake notices or phone calls will be aggressive about the urgent need to pay. If you comply, the "payments" are pocketed with no actual debt cleared.
Red flags: Threatening urgent notices, request for unusual payment method, impersonating government agencies.
8. Fake Walmart Marketplace reviews
Dishonest Walmart Marketplace sellers try to boost product ratings by posting fake 5-star reviews. Without reading real customer reviews, you may end up purchasing poorly made or defective items.
Red flags: Repeated identical reviews, reviewer has only reviewed one item, brief non-detailed reviews.
9. Bogus sweepstakes/lottery scams
These scams notify you that you‘ve won a Walmart sweepstakes or lottery worth thousands of dollars. To claim the prize, you need to pay a small processing fee first. Scammers collect the fee payments without ever awarding prizes.
Red flags: Requests for payment to release winnings, notified of winning a contest you didn‘t enter, asked for personal information.
10. Missed delivery payment scam
You get a message claiming a Walmart delivery you were expecting could not be completed, usually for reasons like incorrect address or delivery fee unpaid.
To get the package delivered or receive a refund, you are instructed to provide credit card or gift card details. The criminals use these details fraudulently while you never receive anything.
Red flags: Request for payment information, notification about an order you didn‘t place, poor grammar/spelling.
11. Refund and replacement scams
In this scam, you are notified by phone, email or text that a recent Walmart order has a problem that needs fixing. This may be a claim that an item is damaged, the wrong size, or incorrectly shipped.
You are then told that you need to pay a fee or provide credit card information before a replacement or refund can be issued. The scammers take your details without ever providing a replacement item or refund.
Red flags: Claims about an order you didn‘t place, request for payment or details without verification.
12. Fake returns fraud
This scam defrauds Walmart rather than customers directly. Fraudsters buy items from Walmart stores then re-shrinkwrap or reseal them before returning as unopened for a refund.
Sometimes, bricks or other weighted objects are placed inside boxes to mimic the item weight. While not directly harming shoppers, this scam can lead to higher prices.
Red flags for Walmart: Previously opened packages, weight mismatches, pattern of suspicious returns.
13. Pre-approved credit scams
Slick sales pitches on social media or spam emails promise Walmart pre-approved credit cards with guaranteed approval and low rates. However, applications submitted result in low credit limits at very high interest rates.
Red flags: Offers too good to be true, pressure to apply quickly, lack of proper company identification.
14. Fake job or employment scams
Classified listings promise openings for Walmart jobs or work-from-home opportunities. You are prompted to provide personal information or pay an application fee to secure the job. In reality, the jobs don‘t exist and scammers pocket the application fees.
Red flags: Requests for payment/sensitive information to apply, contact email from free providers, grammar & spelling issues.
15. Walmart pallets resale scam
Liquidation or resale listings on sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace offer Walmart pallets for sale at great prices. However, buyers find the delivered pallets contain used, damaged or completely different merchandise.
Red flags: Photos appear reused across listings, unwillingness to answer questions, price far below normal.
16. Fake coupon scams
Scam websites offer printable Walmart coupons worth $50, $100 or more on popular items. However, when you try to redeem them in-store, they are rejected as invalid.
Red flags: Extremely high value coupons, coupon generator websites, pixelated low-quality prints.
17. Bait and switch scams
Advertisements for hot deals on electronics, toys or apparel draw you into the store. However, you are told the deal item is no longer in stock and offered a more expensive alternative.
Red flags: Limited quantities, prices much lower than normal, pressure to buy substitute item.
18. Counterfeit merchandise scams
Classifieds or social media ads offer brand name items like Apple Watch, Beats, or Louis Vuitton at steep discounts. You pay upfront but eventually discover the items shipped are cheap knock-offs.
Red flags: Prices too good to be true, payment requests upfront, seller unwilling to answer questions.
19. Fake employee scam
At stores, scammers posing as employees approach customers asking for help loading purchases or offering special deals. They then try to steal credit card information or trick you into buying fraudulent gift cards for them.
Red flags: Asking for payment information, requesting help loading, offering suspicious "deals".
20. Credit card skimmers
Skimming devices placed on payment terminals or ATMs secretly capture debit/credit card details for fraudsters. Avoid using card readers that appear damaged, tampered with or have an insecure fit.
Red flags: Loose fit, glue residue, plastic parts looking damaged or different.
How To Avoid Walmart Scams: 5 Tips To Protect Yourself
While scammers are getting more clever all the time, there are some things you can do to avoid getting caught by their tricks:
Be suspicious of unsolicited contacts: Don‘t respond to calls, emails, texts about account issues unless you initiated contact.
Avoid clicking direct links: Manually type Walmart.com URL into your browser when accessing your account.
Don‘t pay with gift cards: Gift cards are like cash so avoid using them except for intended gift recipients.
Keep software updated: Make sure you have the latest security updates installed for protection against malware.
Check statements regularly: Review your statements frequently to help identify any unauthorized charges early.
What To Do If You Have Been Scammed
If you suspect or confirm you have been the victim of a scam involving Walmart, take these steps:
Contact Walmart customer service if the scam occurred on Walmart.com, involved fake Walmart communications, or happened at a Walmart store.
Notify your bank immediately if scam involved unauthorized credit/debit charges or compromised account numbers. Cancel cards and dispute charges.
Change passwords if scam resulted in any account usernames or passwords being exposed.
Report the scam to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint and BBB at bbb.org/complaint for investigation.
File a report with local law enforcement for documentation and assistance recovering lost funds.
Contact any other companies or services impacted by scam exposure.
Conclusion: Stay Vigilant Against Walmart Scams
Walmart‘s immense customer base makes it a magnet for scammers seeking easy targets for their cons. Everyone from individual shoppers to third-party sellers need to be on guard against the many creative scam tactics aimed at Walmart and its customers.
By learning to identify telltale red flags, understanding how these scams work, and exercising caution sharing personal and payment information, Walmart shoppers can avoid falling victim. Reporting scams when encountered also helps prevent others from being harmed.
Stay alert and informed, and don‘t let scammers turn your Walmart experience sour.