Walmart Impersonation Scams
Scammers impersonate Walmart with fake order confirmation emails and gift card payment demands. Walmart will never ask you to pay a fee in Walmart gift cards to claim a prize or resolve an order issue.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Walmart's massive reach means almost everyone has a plausible reason to receive a message from it, which makes its brand ideal for impersonation. Fake order confirmation emails direct recipients to call a number where operators push them to buy gift cards to 'cancel' the order. Lottery and prize scams also use the Walmart name, promising gift cards or cash prizes in exchange for a small processing fee.
Gift card payments are a strong signal of fraud: no legitimate retailer or government body accepts gift cards as a form of payment for fees or penalties.
How scammers impersonate it
- Sending fake order confirmation emails for expensive items, with a phone number to call and cancel
- Calling victims claiming they have won a Walmart gift card or prize sweepstakes
- Posing as Walmart HR offering remote work jobs that require upfront equipment payments via gift card
- Sending fake Walmart+ membership renewal notices to harvest payment details
- Creating fraudulent Walmart-branded surveys offering a gift card in exchange for personal data
What the real organisation never does
- Ask you to pay a fee using Walmart gift cards to cancel an order or claim a prize
- Request payment information through an unsolicited phone call or email
- Offer remote jobs that require applicants to purchase equipment upfront
- Ask for your Social Security Number or bank details via a survey or email
Common red flags
- Order confirmation email for a purchase you did not make, with a phone number to call
- Caller claiming you have won a Walmart prize and need to pay a processing fee
- Any request to buy gift cards and read the codes over the phone
- Walmart job offer sent via WhatsApp or personal email rather than an official walmart.com address
- Survey offering a gift card that asks for card details to 'process the reward'
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
Email: 'Walmart Order Confirmation: Your order #[number] for [expensive item] will ship in 24 hours. To cancel, call [fake number].'
Call: 'Congratulations, you have been selected as a Walmart sweepstakes winner! To release your $[amount] prize, please purchase [number] Walmart gift cards.'
How to verify
- Check your actual Walmart account at walmart.com for any real orders — do not call the number in the email
- Legitimate Walmart customer service is reached via walmart.com/help or 1-800-925-6278
- Walmart sweepstakes and gift promotions are always described on official Walmart pages, never via cold call
- Never read gift card codes to anyone over the phone regardless of the story
What to do if you're targeted
- Hang up and verify independently via walmart.com
- If gift cards were purchased, report the codes to Walmart at 1-888-537-5503
- File a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
Frequently asked questions
Does Walmart ever ask for gift card payments?
No. Gift card payments are exclusively a scam payment method. No legitimate Walmart process involves gift card codes as payment for any fee, prize, or order issue.