13 Walmart scams to watch out for in 2025

As the world's largest retailer, Walmart’s popularity has naturally attracted the attention of scammers. Between 2013 and 2022, consumers lost more than $1 billion to fraudulent schemes that abuse the trusted Walmart brand. Fraudsters use deceptive methods ranging from fake surveys to complex gift card scams to trick innocent people out of their money and sensitive personal data.

Becoming familiar with common Walmart scams can help you spot and avoid them. Read on to uncover 13 tactics scammers use to target Walmart customers, and learn how you can help protect yourself from fraud today.

1. Walmart gift card scams

In one of the most common Walmart scams, fraudsters use social engineering and scare tactics to convince you to load a Walmart gift card with money and give them the card number and PIN. They may impersonate authority figures like IRS agents and make their requests sound urgent.

In one real-world example, a scammer impersonated an FBI agent and warned a woman that drug traffickers were using her Social Security number to launder money. The scammer convinced her to purchase $2,000 in Walmart gift cards and send them pictures of the serial numbers and PIN in order to “assist in the investigation.” Accomplices then used this data to purchase other retailers’ gift cards. This made the funds untraceable and left the victim unable to get her money back.

While Walmart leverages video surveillance and other methods to combat fraud, which has helped it successfully freeze more than $4 million in illicitly obtained gift cards, many victims never recover the funds they lose.

2. Fake Walmart gift card “balance checker” tools

Another way scammers try to steal Walmart gift cards is by creating fake online gift card balance checkers. These tools may seem convenient, as it can be hard to remember how much money is on your gift cards, but using them could make your gift cards worthless.

Scammers design balance checker sites to look legitimate, with Walmart’s colors and branding. However, once you type in your gift card information, the scammer steals your card details and drains your balance.

3. Walmart scams on Facebook Marketplace

Be aware of Facebook Marketplace scams involving Walmart. Some scammers may attempt to sell Walmart gift cards at a discounted rate, but these gift cards are fake or have no balance.

Likewise, never trust sellers who request payment in Walmart gift cards. Remember that gift card transactions are typically irreversible and untraceable, meaning that if you fall for the scam, you may not be able to recover the funds you lose. You might also encounter similar eBay or Craigslist scams using these tactics.

4. Walmart self-checkout scams

Although most Walmart scams occur online, some specifically target in-store shoppers. In one notable self-checkout scam, scammers begin to purchase a pre-paid debit card at a self-checkout stand. But instead of completing the transaction, they pocket the card and wait nearby. Their hope is that someone else will begin their own checkout process, failing to notice that a pre-paid card has already been scanned.

Customers in a hurry might not realize they’ve paid for a $50 credit card top-up they never intended to buy unless they check their receipt and notice items labeled “Debit load” or “Visa.”

In another self-checkout scam, spotted in California, organized crime groups were caught stealing victims’ credit card details by installing fake card skimmers on self-checkout kiosks.

5. Bogus Walmart sweepstakes and giveaways on social media

Don’t be fooled by scammers promoting Walmart gift card giveaways or other sweepstakes on social media. As social media giveaways have become increasingly popular, scammers have created fake versions with malicious links. These scams will prompt you to provide details like your email, name, address, and credit card number to claim your prize.

If you provide enough information to these cybercriminals, they could steal your money or identity. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

6. Fake Walmart pop-up ads

As you browse the web, you may encounter pop-up ads claiming you’ve won $1,000 in Walmart gift cards or another prize. These are scams. Clicking them could result in a malware infection or a type of identity theft.

If you see such ads frequently, your device may already be infected with adware, a type of malware that installs on your device and generates unwanted and often dangerous ads.

7. Walmart phishing emails

Scammers can send phishing emails or texts disguised as messages from Walmart. Phishing is a practice where fraudsters mimic a legitimate person or organization to trick people into providing sensitive personal information, like credit card numbers.

Walmart phishing emails are designed to look convincing, using Walmart’s logo, branded colors, and a fake email address that looks very similar to the real one. These dangerous emails may imitate the following:

• Order confirmation messages
• Account verification requests
• Requests to update payment information
• Password reset requests for your Walmart+ account
• Fake giveaway notifications

Be cautious when you receive emails that appear to be from Walmart. Clicking malicious links in fake Walmart emails can compromise your account, and scammers may gain access to other personally identifiable information.

8. Walmart scam calls

In Walmart scam calls, fraudsters impersonate Walmart employees over the phone to steal personal information or financial details.

In one recent Walmart phone scam reported to the Better Business Bureau, a fake Walmart representative left a voicemail claiming their would-be victim had ordered an expensive PlayStation console, prompting them to press 1 to speak with customer service and cancel the order.

If you press 1, the impersonator could request access to your device, ask for your credit card details to process the cancellation, or trick you into providing other sensitive information. Giving away such data to fraudsters can result in identity theft and financial loss.

9. Fraudulent Walmart surveys

Walmart offers an in-store experience survey that customers can access through a link on their receipt or via an email from Walmart’s survey team. If you participate in the official survey, you can enter into sweepstakes for prizes.

However, scammers have caught wind of this survey and created fake versions to deceive customers. These Walmart survey scams often come as texts or emails urging recipients to complete a fake questionnaire that leads to malicious links or requests for personal information, allowing fraudsters to steal your identity.

10. Walmart mystery shopper scams

Some businesses use mystery shopping to evaluate the quality of their customers’ experience. Walmart, however, maintains on its website that it does not pay for such services. This hasn’t stopped scammers from creating false job advertisements for Walmart mystery shoppers or secret shoppers.

Such scammers may send emails or post fake job openings luring people in with high salaries for little work. They may even “pay you in advance” with a fraudulent check.

11. Walmart delivery scams

Given the huge size of Walmart’s operations, many people are likely expecting a delivery from the retailer at any given time. Scammers exploit this probability by sending fake order confirmation texts with fraudulent tracking links designed to look like they’re from Walmart. The message may claim that there’s an issue with the order, prompting recipients to click the link to resolve it.

As with other types of phishing, clicking such links can result in malware infections, identity theft, and other undesirable consequences.

12. Fake “Walmart Foundation” grants

Scammers impersonate the Walmart Foundation, the retailer’s philanthropic arm, to carry out a version of a charity scam. The fraudsters contact people via text or email and ask them to fill out an application with their personal information to apply for a fake grant.

Although the Walmart Foundation is a legitimate program that supports various initiatives, it awards grants only to organizations, not individuals.

13. Walmart money transfer fraud

In schemes resembling gift card scams, fraudsters exploit Walmart’s convenient money transfer services to trick people into sending money. To fleece their victims, the scammer may impersonate a law enforcement officer or someone in desperate need.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has even sued Walmart for facilitating these scams. According to the lawsuit, Walmart reportedly failed to conduct proper employee training and didn’t provide customers with adequate fraud warnings. While judges have dismissed some of these claims, money transfer scams remain an ongoing problem.

Can I get my money back if I fall for a Walmart scam?

It may be possible to get your money back, depending on the scam you fell for and the payment method you used. You are more likely to recover your lost funds if you paid by card than if you sent the fraudster money via wire transfer or cryptocurrency.

If you file a chargeback, your credit card company or bank may be able to cancel the card transactions or refund the scammed money. Just make sure that you notify them as soon as you realize you’ve been scammed.

If you paid the scammer with a Walmart gift card, the company’s technology might be able to track and freeze the stolen funds if you act quickly. However, Walmart’s gift card terms and conditions explicitly state that the retailer does not replace lost or stolen gift cards.

7 steps to take after falling victim to a Walmart scam

If you’ve already been targeted by a Walmart scam, there are steps you can take to minimize the damage. Here’s what to do if you were scammed:

1. Notify your bank immediately if you provided the scammer with financial details such as your credit card or bank account number.
2. Change your Walmart+ password to a strong and unique one to prevent unauthorized access, and remove saved payment information from your account to reduce the risk of fraudulent transactions.
3. Alert Walmart of the scam by emailing their team at onlineabuse@walmart.com.
4. Call Walmart at (888) 537-5503 if the scam involved gift cards to report the issue and inquire about the possibility of tracking and freezing the stolen funds.
5. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit report if you believe your personal information may have been compromised.
6. Report the scam to the FTC at https://ReportFraud.ftc.gov/.
7. File a police report with local law enforcement.

Help protect against Walmart scams with LifeLock

If you fall for a scam, the last thing you want is to spend the weekend on the phone with the bank, trying to get your money back. A LifeLock membership grants you peace of mind by helping prevent identity theft in the first place. And if you do become a victim of identity theft, LifeLock’s dedicated U.S.-based restoration specialists can help you recover your identity and reimburse* you for stolen funds.