The Promise of a Gift Card, the Price of Your Privacy
 If you've ever received a text, email, or social media message claiming you've won a Walmart gift card, you’re not the only one. The offer might seem like a small stroke of luck—especially if you shop at Walmart regularly—but behind the shiny promise lies a well-worn scam designed to steal your personal information.

This fraud tactic has been making the rounds again in 2025, with scammers posing as Walmart representatives offering fake gift cards in exchange for your private details. The catch? There is no gift card. Just a cyber criminal hoping you'll take the bait.

So how do you tell the difference between a real offer and a scam—and what should you do if you get one of these messages? Let’s break it down.

 

Behind the shiny promise of free money, lies a well-worn scam designed to steal your personal information (Source DALL-E)

 

Red Flags: How to Spot a Walmart Gift Card Scam
 Scammers thrive on urgency, confusion, and curiosity. In this case, they impersonate a trusted brand—Walmart—to add a layer of credibility to their fake messages. But there are often clear giveaways.

Here are a few signs that the message you received is part of a scam:

  • Poor grammar and spelling: Legitimate companies like Walmart have professional communication standards. A message that reads like it was written in haste or broken English is an instant red flag.
  • Requests for personal information: Walmart will never ask for your Social Security number, banking info, or login credentials in exchange for a gift card.
  • Too-good-to-be-true offers: A $500 gift card just for clicking a link? If it sounds unbelievable, it probably is. 
  • Sketchy URLs or email addresses: Scammers often use lookalike domains like "walmart-giveaway-now.com" instead of the real Walmart.com. Hover over any links before clicking—or better yet, don’t click at all.

These scams often come in the form of phishing emails, fake text messages (known as “smishing”), or even Facebook messages from hacked accounts. Once you click, you’re usually taken to a fake website asking you to enter personal data—or worse, infecting your device with malware.

Why These Scams Persist—and What to Do About Them
 So why is this happening again now? Scammers tend to recycle successful strategies, especially around well-known brands like Walmart. With millions of shoppers using Walmart’s services every day, it’s the perfect camouflage for fraud.

And thanks to today’s AI tools, scam messages can be generated quickly and sent en masse. According to the Federal Trade Commission, imposter scams (which include  phishing and gift card scams) have been rising significantly in recent years, with thousands of Americans reporting losses tied to fake reward offers.

 

Imposter scams  are big business – with scammers raking in $200 million in 2024 alone (Source: FTC) 

 

If you get one of these messages, here’s what you can do:

  • Don’t engage. Don’t click links, reply, or call any numbers provided in the message.
  • Report it. Walmart encourages customers to report scams directly by forwarding suspicious emails to onlineabuse@walmart.com and texts to 7726 (SPAM).
  • Warn others. These scams often spread through group texts or social media. Let your friends and family know what to watch for.
  • Check directly with the source. If you’re curious whether an offer is real, go to Walmart’s official website or call their verified customer service line. Never trust the information provided within the questionable message itself.

Practical Takeaways to Stay Safe
 In today’s digital landscape, scams like these aren’t going away anytime soon. But staying alert and informed is your best defense.

Here’s how to stay one step ahead:

  • Stay skeptical of unsolicited offers—especially those that promise free money or rewards.
  • Use multi-factor authentication and strong passwords for your email and online accounts to reduce the risk if a scammer does get access.
  • Educate elderly family members or less tech-savvy loved ones who might not know what phishing looks like.

You might ask: What’s the harm in just clicking to “see what it is”? Even a single click can lead to malware, account compromise, or identity theft. Caution is not paranoia—it’s protection.

Share the Knowledge, Stop the Scam
 Scammers rely on silence and ignorance to thrive. By talking about these schemes, reporting them, and staying vigilant, we weaken their power.

If you’ve been targeted—or know someone who has—speak up. And when in doubt, check it out directly with the company.

Concerned about your personal data security? Review the FTC’s tips for avoiding scams and keep your digital guard up.

Let’s keep each other safe. Because when we know better, we scam-proof our community.