I’m a lawyer – my warning about a new Walmart self-checkout scam that adds a surcharge to customer receipts

LAWYERS have issued a warning about a self-checkout scam that could have your money stolen.

A Walmart customer in Spring, Texas, recently claimed he was told by store associates that he was a victim of a new self-checkout scam.

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A friend who shopped with them alerted them that some items they had were ringing for more than they should have, law firm Morgan & Morgan reported in a press release.

The shopper said he looked at the receipt after shopping and noticed strange charges like $20 that were mysterious to both of them.

Apparently, the $20 charge was labeled a “debit charge” on the receipt, and when they investigated further, the buyers found another $4.94 charge labeled “Visa.”

They also had Walmart customer service representatives check the receipt, according to Morgan & Morgan.

HOW IT WORKS

The staff reportedly explained to the two friends that the scam they appear to have fallen victim to happens when someone starts buying a prepaid Visa card at the kiosk.

The trick is that they start by receiving the card and then exit the kiosk without completing the transaction, but the scammer stays close, Morgan & Morgan reported.

The scammer stays nearby, waiting for someone at the same kiosk to start the checkout process.

They watch in hopes that the new person calling their items won’t notice that the unpaid card has already been added to their transaction.

WHAT TO DO

There are several things lawyers recommend to buyers so they have a better chance of avoiding the self-checkout scam.

“One of the very first things you should do when using the self-checkout line is to be aware of your surroundings,” Morgan & Morgan said.

To save yourself from getting caught by this type of scam, you should really check the area for suspicious things or people before you start calling your products.

Because self-checkout lines at stores like Walmart and Target are often pretty laid-back when it comes to security, it’s important to be on the lookout.

It’s helpful to use the tools they give you in the self checkout area to help you watch out for weird things and make sure you have a safe checkout experience.

To really make sure you don’t get scammed with the extra fees, check the self-checkout kiosk screen for pending items before scanning anything.

Scammers typically rely on shoppers going through the self-checkout lane to quickly scan items before leaving, which is why double checking your kiosk is crucial.

If you see that your on-screen cart is not empty and has a $0 balance, then Morgan & Morgan has recommended that you can delete it by voiding this transaction.

If you suspect something is going on with your kiosk that could be a sign of a scammer, don’t hesitate to call a Walmart representative to help you.

Finally, look closely at your paper receipt after going through self-checkout and compare the list of items to what you have in your bag.

Even after you’ve checked out your items, if you see anything suspicious on your receipt, have a staff member investigate any unknown charges before you leave the store.

The new self-checkout scam can cost you hundreds of dollars and isn’t necessarily easy to spot, so take these precautions before you leave the store.

Walmart did not immediately respond to The Sun’s request for comment.