# Walmart to send 9.8 million in fraud refunds

> The FTC is distributing payments to 65,000 customers after Walmart failed to stop scammers using its money transfer services.
- Title: Walmart to send 9.8 million in fraud refunds · Fastcompany
- Summary: The FTC is distributing payments to 65,000 customers after Walmart failed to stop scammers using its money transfer services. The FTC is sending nine point…
- Keywords: walmart, ftc, refund, money transfer, fraud, settlement, send, million, refunds, Fastcompany
- Source: Fastcompany — https://fastcompany.com/91626935/walmart-is-sending-out-9-8-million-in-refunds-are-you-getting-a-check
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: walmart, ftc, refund, money transfer, fraud, settlement
## 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.
## Walmart plus membership refunds too
Walmart announced this week that customers currently paying for both Walmart plus and Sam's Club Plus will receive a prorated refund for their Walmart plus membership as the company combines both into a single annual…
## Key takeaway

The FTC is sending nine point eight million dollars in refunds to around sixty five thousand Walmart customers following a settlement over the retailer's failure to prevent fraud in its money transfer services between two thousand thirteen and two thousand eighteen.