Sixty five thousand customers getting checks

The Federal Trade Commission is sending refund checks totaling nine point eight million dollars to around sixty five thousand Walmart customers following a settlement reached in June two thousand twenty five.

Scammers exploited money transfer services

The FTC alleged that Walmart allowed scammers to use its money transfer services between two thousand thirteen and two thousand eighteen, leading to a complaint filed in two thousand twenty two.

Walmart failed to protect customers

The FTC said Walmart turned a blind eye while scammers took advantage of its failure to properly secure money transfer services offered at its stores.

“The company turned a blind eye while scammers took advantage of its failure to properly secure the money transfer services offered at Walmart stores.”

Three specific failures cited

The FTC alleged Walmart did not properly train its employees, failed to warn customers, and used procedures that allowed fraudsters to cash out at its stores.

“The company did not properly train its employees, failed to warn customers, and used procedures that allowed fraudsters to cash out at its stores.”

Settlement restricts future transfers

Walmart is now prohibited from offering money transfer services without taking timely and appropriate action to detect and prevent fraud induced money transfers.

Why money transfers attract scammers

Christopher Mufarrige, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said electronic money transfers are one of the most common ways scammers tell consumers to send money because once sent it is gone for good.

“Electronic money transfers are one of the most common ways that scammers tell consumers to send them money, because once it's sent, it's gone for good.”

Companies must train and protect

Mufarrige said companies that provide money transfer services must train their employees to comply with the law and work to protect consumers.

“Companies that provide these services must train their employees to comply with the law and work to protect consumers.”

Ninety days to cash checks

Consumers affected by the fraud will receive checks from the FTC and have ninety days to cash them. Questions about payments should be directed to Rust Consulting, the refund administrator.

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