Urgent warning to Walmart customers about $500 gift card trick that’s stealing your money and data

WALMART customers have been issued an urgent warning about a $500 gift card trick attempting to steal their money and data.

The text scam appears to promise shoppers the free cash to spend in-store by encouraging people to share their private details.

Those who follow the link would then be taken to a page where they would then be encouraged to fill out a form with personal information.

A Facebook post sharing the same information has also been flagged by the social media giant as "false information."

That fake offer reads: "Walmart Management is helping with the rising prices with $500 Grocery Cards for $2.

"Follow the instructions to participate."

But as Politifact reported in September, the post is a scam.

It's not the first time shoppers have been warned about potential hacks.

The U.S. Sun in October reported on a Walmart scam targeting Americans in the mail.

Phishing schemes are said to be conning shoppers into giving their personal information to fraudulent promotional ads that are claiming rewards and recruiting them into being secret shoppers.

There was a 29% increase from last year's phishing attacks and a 400% increase for wholesale and retail businesses according to the 2022 ThreatLabz Phishing Report.

Walmart warns shoppers: "Never deposit a check you receive in the mail from a 'mystery' shopping company. No legitimate business will pay in advance and ask you to send back a portion of the money.

"Remember, if it sounds too good to believe, it is!"

And we told how credit card skimmers were also found attached to checkout devices, which could steal card information and PIN numbers.

The scam specifically targeted shoppers at a Walmart store in Richland, Washington.

Walmart told The U.S. Sun at the time: "We make every effort to give customers a safe experience and have measures intended to guard against these types of crimes.

"We continuously review our protocols to better protect customers’ information and will continue working closely with Richland Police."

And shoppers have also been warned over a gift card scam targeting victims over the phone.

Police say scammers will often pose as government officials collecting funds - convincing shoppers to use gift cards to make a payment.

The U.S. Sun has contacted Walmart for comment. They pointed us to their Fraud Alert system.

That notes: "Do not purchase, sell, or check your balance on online marketplaces outside of Walmart.com.

"Don’t click on or respond to online ads or websites offering free gift cards. These are often scams."