Warning: A New Retail Scam

[pete44ru]

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Today, I was made aware of a scam being run by dishonest cashiers at some retailers, WalMart being the largest retail location, but by no means the only one that has dishonest employees.

The scam is being used to steal from shopper's credit/debit cards at checkout, involving the dishonest employee and an accomplice, who's usually the next customer in line.

How this scam works is that the dishonest employee keys in a "cash back" amount (usually $10 or $20, in an attempt to stay un-noticed) that the payer neither asked for, or keyed in themselves during the card swipe.

Sometimes, the dishonest employee doesn't offer the paying customer a register receipt.

The extra cash is then removed from the register and given to the accomplice as part of their "change" - which is why the theft isn't picked up by surveillance (camera).

The shopper usually just pockets the receipt, but if they happen to notice the "cash back" entry & complain, the dishonest employee innocently tells the victim that the machine has been "acting up" all day, either cancelling the transaction (if it's caught early enough) or stating they cannot cancel the transaction after it was completed.

Our takeaways should be:

1) ALWAYS get a receipt

2) ALWAYS read it before leaving checkout

3) ALWAYS demand to speak to the store owner/manager if you have been victimized

Caveat Emptor..................

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[Kevin]

I wasn’t aware a cashier could type in a cash back request? I thought the pin pad where the customer swipes their card did that? Then the customer enters the amount and has to approve it. Any Wal Mart I’ve been to uses this system.

 

[pete44ru]

I wasn’t aware a cashier could type in a cash back request? I thought the pin pad where the customer swipes their card did that? Then the customer enters the amount and has to approve it. Any Wal Mart I’ve been to uses this system.

That IS the pin pad system, but since a customer hasn't operated the store's register, IME one really can't know exactly what the cashier can or cannot do.

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[MADDOG 521]

I'm weird, I read every receipt those cashiers hand me. If they don't offer one I ask for it.

 

[Kevin]

pete44ru:
I think this is wrong, I cannot see how the payment processing can be sidestepped in this way. I used to work for Albertson's in the IT department. We installed and managed the computers running the stores.

I would be more concerned about checking the receipt for being overcharged on an item. This seems more likely.

 

[Fox Mike]

Every Walmart I have ever been in required you to show your receipt on exit. I don't see how they could NOT give a receipt at the register.

 

[Conservative]

Fox Mike,

I've shopped in 3 or 4 different Walmart stores over the years and I've seen random receipt checking by the greeter, but it's never happened to me.

So, my experience is different as none of the stores automatically checked all customers exiting with merchandise, but I'm in the Galveston/Houston, Texas area, so maybe where you live they have a different policy...?

The only stores I've seen that check 'everyone every time' exiting is Frye's Electronics and Sams Club.

 

[Acorn]

As others have said I dont think a cashier can initiate a cash back transaction, but I was wrong once before.

 

[SR1911SHOOTER]

My wife checks every receipt, especially at gas stations with their phony card slots.
Bush's Chicken in Copperas Cove Texas got us for a few bucks. I signed the receipt
for one amount, and another higher one showed up on the statement.
Complained to Bush's but no reply.
Pity, their chicken was really good. Fried okra was great. (Past tense).
Blackie

 

[pete44ru]

pete44ru:
I think this is wrong, I cannot see how the payment processing can be sidestepped in this way. I used to work for Albertson's in the IT department. We installed and managed the computers running the stores.

I would be more concerned about checking the receipt for being overcharged on an item. This seems more likely.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153751141833592&set=a.252470858591.139205.716428591&type=3&theater


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[Colonialgirl]

Fox Mike,

I've shopped in 3 or 4 different Walmart stores over the years and I've seen random receipt checking by the greeter, but it's never happened to me.

So, my experience is different as none of the stores automatically checked all customers exiting with merchandise, but I'm in the Galveston/Houston, Texas area, so maybe where you live they have a different policy...?

The only stores I've seen that check 'everyone every time' exiting is Frye's Electronics and Sams Club.

If what's in your cart is NOT in a bag ie: soft drinks, dog food bags, etc etc, they will check you receipt.

 

[Conservative]

Colonialgirl,

Not in my part of the world and I regularly buy quite lot from Walmart.

Perhaps, they have a harder time with shop lifters where you live...?

Not to say all those who shop in Texas Walmart stores are angels, but no, they don't practice the 'We assume you're a thief, so we automatically and every time check you' before exiting the store with things not in bags - it just doesn't happen.

Perhaps, also Texans wouldn't tolerate such treatment...

Random receipt checks on merchandise, I have no problem with. Want to check me out every time, nope, aint gonna happen for two reasons. Unlike Sams's Club where you agree to this, there's not agreement with Walmart for customers to be treated like they're all thieves.

Plus, given the general independence of Texans there would be little tolerance for this kind of mistreatment.

In addition, if this exit strategy was put into practice, Walmart would have very few customers in my part of the world.

 

[Acorn]

Not to argue the point but if You know they check “all” receipts and You still patronize the store aren’t You agreeing to be checked?
If you don’t like their policy don’t go there.

 

[LGC42]

A greeter at walmart told me the reason they check receipts is because people were picking up receipts in the parking lot then bringing them in the store. They would then fill a cart with the items on the receipt and walk out with them or take them to customer service and return them for cash.

 

[tunnug]

I've been told by cashiers (friends that I trust not to lie) that they cannot put the cash back option from the registers, that it must be done from the pin pad, this is a way for stores to protect themselves from fraud.

 

[trebor44]

Fortuntely in this part of the world, there is NO checking receipts currently at the Wally worlds. Just the ubiquitous 'self-checkouts'. But the receipt gustopo do exist at the Costcos where the innocents are considered "thieves" and the thieves are innocent.