A large-scale robocall scam is targeting millions of Walmart shoppers in the U.S. by impersonating the retailer’s customer service and inventing fake high-value purchases to steal personal and financial data.
How the Walmart robocall scam works
At the heart of this deceptive scheme lies the use of AI-generated voices that impersonate Walmart’s customer service. Victims receive calls claiming to originate “from Walmart” regarding a supposed preauthorized purchase, typically a high-ticket item like a PlayStation 5 valued around $900. This fraudulent order is, of course, entirely fabricated.
During the call, recipients are urged to “press 1” or to call back to cancel this alleged order. When they comply, they are connected to a supposed “agent” who demands sensitive information such as credit card details, banking information, or even Social Security numbers—all under the guise of verifying the victim’s identity or arranging a reversal of an unauthorized charge.
Scale of the attack
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), nearly 8 million of these robocalls have been made, primarily traced back to a single voice provider, SK Teleco. The FCC has ordered this provider to cease carrying the call traffic associated with the scam, warning that failure to comply could result in being cut off from U.S. networks. Regulators, alongside traceback groups, have identified the calls as part of a coordinated scam campaign, cleverly exploiting the heightened activity that accompanies holiday-season shopping and the common fears surrounding unauthorized charges.
How to protect yourself
- Always refrain from sharing card data, bank details, or Social Security numbers with anyone who unexpectedly calls you, even if they claim to represent Walmart.
- Hang up and check your Walmart account or your credit card statement directly through the official Walmart app or website, avoiding any numbers or links provided during the call.
- Be cautious of unsolicited “order problem” texts or calls; these are clear red flags associated with smishing and phishing attempts.
If you encounter one of these scam calls, it is essential to report it to the FCC or FTC and inform your phone carrier. Additionally, consider enabling robocall and spam-text blocking tools on your device to safeguard against future calls.
