Walmart money card scam emails: the fake message that asks you to load a card
Quick answer
An email, text or call that says it's from Walmart and tells you to load money onto a prepaid or gift card is a scam. Walmart says never to give prepaid or gift card details to someone you don't know. Don't reply, don't click, and report it.
- Comes by
- Email, Text, Phone call
- Pretends to be
- Walmart
- Last updated
How it works
Scammers pretend to be Walmart, or send you to a Walmart store, because a card can be loaded there. Walmart's fraud page says scammers often ask victims to send a wire transfer or load money on a prepaid or gift card, then read out the numbers.
The story varies. Walmart lists several that use its name or its stores: fake government and IRS callers who tell you to load a card, tech support callers, and mystery shopper offers that arrive by mail, text or email, often with a check for a large amount attached. The FTC adds that scammers tell you which card to buy and where, and some stay on the phone while you load it.
The money is gone the moment you give them the card number and PIN, even if you still hold the card.
Red flags
- A message that tells you to put money on a prepaid or gift card
- The card number and PIN requested by phone, email, text or as a photo of the back of the card
- You're told which card to buy and which store to go to
- A job or "mystery shopper" offer that comes with a large check
- Urgency, threats or a prize that needs a fee
- A caller who stays on the line while you shop
Example message
Your Walmart reward is ready. To release it, load $200 onto a prepaid money card at your nearest store and reply with the card number and PIN. This must be done today: [link].
What to do
- 1
Don't reply and don't click
Delete the message. If you think it might be real, contact Walmart through its official website or the app, not through anything in the message.
- 2
If you gave card numbers, call the card company now
Use the number on the back of the card or on the card company's own site. Keep the card and the store receipt, and ask for your money back.
- 3
If you deposited a check from an offer
Tell your bank right away. Check scams rely on a deposit that looks good for a while and later bounces.
- 4
If you shared account details, secure them
Change the passwords for those accounts and turn on two-step verification.
- 5
Report it
Walmart says to contact the FTC or the Consumer Fraud Division of your state attorney general.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scam emails and texts go to addresses and numbers that scammers already have, often bought from data brokers or pulled from old breaches. Serus finds the people-search sites and data brokers that list your email, phone number and address and requests removal, and it alerts you when your details turn up in a breach.
More Walmart scams
Frequently asked
Does Walmart ask customers to pay with gift cards or prepaid cards?
Walmart's fraud page says never to send money or provide prepaid or gift card information to someone you don't know, and to treat gift cards like cash. The FTC says no real business or government agency will tell you to buy a gift card to pay them.
Walmart told me to go buy a card and read the numbers to them. Is that real?
No. The FTC says anyone who tells you which card to buy and asks for the number and PIN is a scammer. Hang up.
I already gave them the card number. Can I get the money back?
Contact the card company right away with the card number and your receipt and ask for a refund. Then report it to the FTC. Acting fast gives you the best chance.
Does Walmart accept crypto in stores?
Walmart's fraud page says Walmart does not accept or send crypto in stores, so a message telling you to pay Walmart in crypto isn't from Walmart.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.
