The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that it has secured a big win for some Walmart customers, a whopping $4 million.
Is this the first time Walmart has been involved in a scam?
This isn’t the first time Walmart has been sued. In 2018, the company was sued for allegedly failing to prevent a scam that led to the loss of millions of dollars in gift cards. Lawyers say Walmart knew about the scam. The box-store giant denied the allegations and the case is still ongoing.
What is this lawsuit about?
A Walmart gift card scam allegedly started in 2015 when fraudsters instructed victims to purchase Walmart gift cards ranging from $500 to $1,000.
Between 2016 and 2017, Walmart reportedly froze the balances of gift cards suspected to be a part of the fraudulent scheme. The Department of Justice sought this frozen money to refund customers.
Walmart gift card scams can occur in a variety of ways and often target consumers by posing as loved ones in trouble or a legitimate company or government agency.
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The Department of Justice filed a complaint for forfeiture of the $3,958,060.84 in gift card balances frozen by Walmart. This money is now ready to be sent to its rightful owners.
The settlement for each individual is based on the amount loaded onto the Walmart gift cards they purchased. However, payments will be reduced if consumers already received payments from a bank or another source.
Walmart sign
What is the eligibility criteria for consumers to receive a remission payment?
To be eligible for a payment, the gift card must have purchased a Walmart gift card between April 1, 2016, and July 31, 2017, when scammers directed victims to purchase those cards.
There is no exclusion or objection deadline and there will be no final approval hearing. But you must file a remission form by July 14, 2023.
When is the deadline for consumers to file a remission form?
The Department of Justice’s remission program for the Walmart gift card scam is good news for consumers who were victims of the fraudulent scheme. It provides a way for them to receive a refund for their losses.
However, it is important for consumers to file a remission form by July 14, 2023, in order to receive a payment. It remains to be seen whether Walmart will take more steps to prevent future gift card scams.
Read more about the lawsuit and file your claim here.
