This article has been updated since its initial publish date.
As reported by the U.S. Sun, one Walmart customer is sharing a new self-checkout scam that they recently experienced at a Spring, Texas store location. This trick, they are stressing, is also hard to spot. Here’s what we know, so far, and how it might affect your next shopping trip (as it’s better to be aware than not!):
According to Classic Rock 96.1, an anonymous Walmart shopper spoke with the station earlier this year, and shared that they used one of their local store’s self-checkout kiosks to ring up their purchase. However, the shopper’s friend noticed that some of these items in their basket were coming up much pricier than they should have been. They then asked their pal to double-check the receipt.
Walmart Customer Details Easy-To-Miss Self-Checkout Scam
One of the things the friend pointed out was a charge for $20, and neither of the two knew where it came from. On the reciept, the item description simply read "debit load." (Huh?) They also both found a $4.94 charge that simply read "Visa." After the duo spoke with Walmart's customer service booth to ask about the charges, this is when the employees reportedly told them that a new scam is going around.
"The scam works when someone begins the process of purchasing a pre-paid Visa Card and leaves the kiosk without completing the transaction," the U.S. Sun writes, adding, "The scammer waits for someone to begin checking out at the kiosk after they left and hopes they’ll be unaware of the unpaid card already in the system." (Good to know!)
TikToker Calls Out Walmart For 'Price Gouging' In Viral Video
In December 2022, another Walmart customer made a viral TikTok video that accused the department store of 'price gouging.' Video creator Nikki Adams (@nikkis_garden_adventure) posted a clip on December 21st and claimed that she purchased the 60 count ‘Great Value Large White Eggs’ from her local Walmart for $10.56 one month prior.
@nikkis_garden_adventure #greenscreenvideo #greenscreen at what point is it considered price gouging. In the span of a couple of months the eggs doubled in price #eggs#inflation#pricegouging #aintnoway#isthisreal#someoneexplain #beforreal #walmart#pricetohigh ♬ Oh No (Instrumental) - Kreepa
As she showed in the video, this same product's new price went up to $20.22. Adams wrote in her caption, “at what point is it considered price gouging. In the span of a couple of months the eggs doubled in price” as commenters and viewers shared their thoughts on the matter, with some relating to her surprising shopping experience.
“I remember that box being less then 5 bucks a year ago” one fellow TikTok user wrote as another chimed in, “They were actually like 7 bucks last year.”
Can someone please explain to me why an 18ct of eggs at @Walmart is $9.92/ea? I realize there's a so called "shortage". But we used to pay less than $4 for those & would buy 2 at a time. Hubby said they were fully stocked too, so it kinda sounds like more price gouging to me pic.twitter.com/107VF4YIWz
— Pam Short- I resist for this little guy (@pshort0422) January 14, 2023
On X (formerly Twitter), many Walmart customers continue to call out the company for price increases and ‘price gouging,’ specifically. On December 5th, user @FJPence tweeted, “Item I was buying at @Walmart was $6.99 3 months ago. It’s now $10.99. I am buying it online from the manufacturer now for $6.50 inflation or price gouging?”
Two weeks later on December 19th, another user/ Walmart shopper @roxrocksme wrote, “Walmart $6.00 for a dozen just yesterday in rural Colorado. I’m thinking seriously about investing in raising my own chickens and growing my own veggies. Can do that on 1.5 acres. So sick of the price gouging.”
