--- title: "Walmart scam messages: how to spot a fake | TapSafely" url: https://tapsafely.com/scams/walmart-scam-messages source: TapSafely description: "Is that Walmart message real? The warning signs, Walmart's real websites, how to check safely and where to report a fake." --- [Home](https://tapsafely.com/)/[Scam guides](https://tapsafely.com/scams/)/[Brand scams](https://tapsafely.com/scams/brands)/ Walmart # Walmart scam messages: how to spot a fake Scammers copy Walmart because millions of people use it. Here's how to tell a fake Walmart message from a real one, and what to do if you already clicked. By the TapSafely editorial team · Updated 16 September 2026 ## In short Walmart says it does not tell contest winners about prizes by text, and it does not send texts about product recalls, which it shares on official websites and by direct email instead. It also says it will never mail you a check to deposit and ask you to keep part of it as payment. **Most common fake:** Text saying you won a Walmart gift card. **Safest check:** Remember you cannot win a contest you did not enter, and Walmart does not text winners. Example · fake Walmart message · Illustrative, links disabled Walmart: Congratulations! You've been selected to receive a $500 Walmart gift card. Claim before midnight, just cover $1.99 shipping: wmt-rewards[.]shop/claim An example fake Walmart message with the warning signs highlighted. ## What Walmart says Walmart says it does not tell contest winners about prizes by text, and it does not send texts about product recalls, which it shares on official websites and by direct email instead. It also says it will never mail you a check to deposit and ask you to keep part of it as payment. Source: [Walmart](https://corporate.walmart.com/privacy-security/fraud-alerts) ## Common fake Walmart messages - Text saying you won a Walmart gift card - Fake product recall notice with a link - Official looking email asking for personal or financial details - Mystery shopper job that sends you a check to deposit - Request to pay someone with Walmart gift cards ## Walmart's real web addresses Genuine Walmart links and emails use these domains. Look at the part just before the first single slash: **walmart.com** is real, but **walmart-support-center.com** or **walmart.com.account-check.top** are not. - **walmart.com** Scammers can also hide a fake link behind real-looking text. [Learn how to read a web address](https://tapsafely.com/scams/phishing-links). ## How to check a Walmart message safely 1. Remember you cannot win a contest you did not enter, and Walmart does not text winners 2. Check recalls on official websites rather than through a text link 3. Sign in to walmart.com or the Walmart app yourself to check orders 4. Never pay anyone with gift cards because they asked you to ## How to report a fake Walmart message - Send fake Walmart emails as an attachment (not forwarded or pasted) to OnlineAbuse@walmart.com. [Official details on corporate.walmart.com](https://corporate.walmart.com/privacy-security/fraud-alerts) - Call Walmart gift card fraud on (888) 537-5503 if you were asked to pay with gift cards. [Official details on corporate.walmart.com](https://corporate.walmart.com/privacy-security/fraud-alerts) - Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. [Official details on reportfraud.ftc.gov](https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/) Also report it to the official fraud service in your country. [See the worldwide list](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed#where-to-report). ## If you clicked, paid or shared details ### Act quickly. It makes a difference. 1. If you entered card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card, and ask them to block the card. 2. If you entered a password, change it on the real Walmart website or app and turn on two-step verification. 3. Expect follow-up calls or messages pretending to help. Never share one-time codes or move money to a "safe account". 4. Report the scam, then delete the message. More help: [Prize, lottery and giveaway scams](https://tapsafely.com/scams/prize-and-giveaway-scams) and [what to do after a scam](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed). ## Questions people ask Does Walmart send messages asking for payment or personal details? Walmart says it does not tell contest winners about prizes by text, and it does not send texts about product recalls, which it shares on official websites and by direct email instead. It also says it will never mail you a check to deposit and ask you to keep part of it as payment. How can I check if a Walmart message is real? Remember you cannot win a contest you did not enter, and Walmart does not text winners. Check recalls on official websites rather than through a text link. Sign in to walmart.com or the Walmart app yourself to check orders. Never pay anyone with gift cards because they asked you to. How do I report a fake Walmart message? Send fake Walmart emails as an attachment (not forwarded or pasted) to OnlineAbuse@walmart.com. Call Walmart gift card fraud on (888) 537-5503 if you were asked to pay with gift cards. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. I clicked a link in a fake Walmart message. What should I do? Don't enter anything else. If you typed card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card. If you entered a password, change it on the real website and turn on two-step verification. Then report the message and delete it. ## Official sources and further reading We check our pages against official advice from the organisations themselves and from government agencies. - [Fraud Alerts](https://corporate.walmart.com/privacy-security/fraud-alerts) (Walmart) - [Don't Fall for It: Protecting Yourself from Online Scams](https://corporate.walmart.com/news/2020/11/16/dont-fall-for-it-protecting-yourself-from-online-scams) (Walmart) - [How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-avoid-phishing-scams) (Federal Trade Commission) ### Got a message like this? Paste the message or link Check it free ### Still unsure? Describe what happened and our AI assistant will help, in any language. Ask TapSafely ### Seen this scam? Your report helps warn people in your area. [Report it](https://tapsafely.com/report) ### Free check tools - [Link checker](https://tapsafely.com/link-checker) - [QR code checker](https://tapsafely.com/qr-code-checker) - [Screenshot checker](https://tapsafely.com/screenshot-scam-checker) - [Scam glossary](https://tapsafely.com/scam-glossary) ## Related [Guide ### Prize, lottery and giveaway scams You've won a phone, a lottery or a supermarket reward. You just need to pay a small fee. 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