Walmart is warning shoppers about a new gift card scam using its self-checkout lanes.
Fox News reported a surge in incidents where fraudsters scan gift cards at Walmart’s self-checkout lanes without paying, subsequently transferring the cost onto unsuspecting shoppers next in line.
Another tactic involves scammers distracting shoppers during checkout to covertly scan a gift card, causing the next customer to unknowingly pay for it. This exploit takes advantage of some shoppers who don’t check their purchase lists or amounts in detail.
Walmart advised customers to check their transactions during self-checkout and confirm their purchases before finalizing payment. To further prevent fraud, Walmart suggests customers compare their receipts with the actual items purchased before leaving the store. If you notice any items that aren’t yours, it’s best to alert a store associate immediately.
This scam isn’t exclusive to Walmart, so shoppers must be vigilant at any retailer with self-checkout lanes, including stores like Costco and Target.
BY HAEUN CHUNG, HOONSIK WOO [chung.haeun@koreadaily.com]
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