Walmart employees are issuing a stark warning to shoppers about an increasing prevalence of scams and issues at self-checkout stations. From sophisticated return fraud to the potential for hidden devices, customers are being urged to exercise caution and awareness when using these automated checkout systems. These concerns highlight a growing trend of retail theft and exploitation impacting both businesses and consumers nationwide.
Recent incidents have brought to light various fraudulent activities occurring at Walmart’s self-checkout lanes. These range from deceptive tactics aimed at overcharging customers to advanced skimming devices designed to steal sensitive card information. The evolving landscape of retail crime necessitates heightened vigilance from every shopper.
One notable case involved a woman attempting to exploit a return scam involving baby essentials like formula and diapers. An observant Walmart employee intervened, confronting the woman and accusing her of returning items shortly after they were purchased, potentially for profit. This behavior was described as “ripping my customers off,” underscoring the impact on other shoppers and the direct financial losses.
In Memphis, Tennessee, Ashley Cross, 37, was arrested for attempting to scam a Walmart self-checkout system. She allegedly used a barcode from a low-cost item, specifically a watch battery, to scan and pay for various other items at a reduced price. These included jeans, a t-shirt, boots, and multiple packs of ramen noodles, all priced at just $1 each.
The total value of the items Cross attempted to acquire should have been $137.34, but her fraudulent checkout attempt led to her immediate arrest. Due to her history of theft, Walmart took extreme measures by banning her from all its stores nationwide. A Walmart representative stated, “We value our customers and associates and want them to have a pleasant shopping experience. Though rare, there are instances when someone is no longer welcome in our stores.”
Beyond such direct theft, shoppers face threats from concealed technology. Police have issued an urgent self-checkout warning after a scam by fraudsters went unnoticed for 18 days. Crooks had placed a card-skimming device, disguised as a pin pad, in the self-service aisle of several stores in Cromwell, Connecticut. Two men are currently being sought in connection with this fraud, WFSB reported.
This incident represents the latest example of a concerning new fraud on self-checkouts, a modern adaptation of a well-worn trick previously used for decades on ATMs. A similar case was reported at a Kroger recently. Card skimmers, often hidden by fraudsters on cash and card machines, are designed to steal information such as card numbers and PINs from credit and debit cards.
With this stolen information, criminals can create fake cards or use the data for unauthorized online purchases without the card owner’s permission. Two Walmart stores were among those recently targeted by these scams. Cromwell police released images of the two suspects believed to be responsible for installing the devices.
In one specific incident, police received a complaint from Walmart on July 17 after staff discovered a card skimmer on one of its checkout machines. After reviewing store security footage, it was determined that the criminals had placed the skimmer on the register on June 29, approximately 18 days earlier. “It was further determined that the suspects are also responsible for attaching credit card skimmers to registers in stores across the state,” Cromwell police said in a statement on Tuesday.
Suspects matching a similar description were also captured on camera fitting skimming devices onto machines at nearby LaBonne’s Markets in Prospect, according to police. Devices were additionally found on registers at Big Y’s Naugatuck and Plainville locations, having been fitted on June 29. Yet another device was found at the Walmart in Naugatuck on July 17.
Walmart addressed these security concerns directly, stating, “Providing customers with a safe shopping experience is a top priority.” The company added, “We’re continually reviewing protocols and adding enhanced security measures to better protect in-store transactions.” These efforts highlight the ongoing battle retailers face against increasingly sophisticated criminal operations.
A skimming device was also detected in Georgetown, Delaware, last month. This particular device remained undetected by customers and staff for approximately ten days, according to local authorities. Georgetown resident Virginia Layfield expressed her dismay to Coast TV news, stating, “It’s terrible. I didn’t believe that it was really going to happen and then you hear it on the news.” She further noted, “You know, you don’t know from one day to the next what can happen in a small area like this.”
The Georgetown device was only discovered and reported to police after a customer found fraudulent charges on their card, Coast TV reported. Lt. Matthew Barlow of the Georgetown Police Department commented on the broader implications, saying, “We are reaching out to our partners with the FBI to see if we can do facial recognition, see if it’s part of a larger group.”
Barlow elaborated on the potential scale of such crimes, explaining, “Oftentimes, when we’re talking about fraud of this nature, electronic fraud and things like that may be part of a larger organization, may be something that our partners, the FBI or Secret Service, are already investigating, so we just want to be helpful on that front, obviously take care of our victims here locally as well.” This suggests a coordinated effort by criminal networks to target multiple locations.
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Dr. Vahid Behzadan, an assistant professor of computer science at the University of New Haven, offered advice on how to avoid card skimming scams. He told WFSB that one of the most effective ways to protect oneself is to use contactless cards or Apple Pay, which do not require inserting a card into a machine. This method bypasses the physical point of vulnerability.
Behzadan also recommends remaining vigilant by attempting to detect anomalies, such as by touching around the card reader to check for loose or added components. Additionally, he advises frequently checking credit card payments for unusual transactions and even setting up transaction notifications on a smartphone to catch suspicious activity quickly.
Another specific warning comes from a Walmart customer in Spring, Texas, who reported a new, hard-to-spot self-checkout scam. As explained by an anonymous Walmart shopper on Classic Rock 96.1, during a recent experience at a local Walmart’s self-checkout kiosk, the shopper’s friend noticed that a few items were ringing up much higher than expected. Upon reviewing the receipt, they identified suspicious charges.
One of the charges pointed out by the friend was a random $20 amount that neither knew the origin of, listed with the description “debit load.” Further inspection revealed another charge of $4.94 listed as “Visa.” Before leaving, the duo spoke with Walmart’s customer service booth to investigate the charges.
According to Walmart employees, the shoppers had fallen victim to a new scam circulating at self-checkout lines. The scam operates when someone initiates the process of purchasing a prepaid Visa card at a kiosk, then leaves without finalizing the transaction. The scammer remains nearby, watching and waiting for an unsuspecting shopper to begin checkout at the same kiosk.
The scammer hopes that the new person will be unaware of the unpaid card already added to their transaction. When the next customer proceeds with their purchases, the pending prepaid card charge is unknowingly added to their total, leading to unexpected financial loss. This method relies on the customer’s haste or lack of attention.
In Arvada, Colorado, police have issued a warning to Walmart shoppers over scammers using a sneaky “cash swap” trick. Police shared a video of one such theft occurring at a Walmart store in the state. The footage depicts three individuals in the self-checkout lane, working together to distract a victim before stealing his credit card.
The three individuals are then seen walking to a vending machine adjacent to the checkout area. At this point, one of the scammers makes it appear as though the victim has dropped money, bending down to offer the cash back. However, as the scammer returns the money, he simultaneously steals the credit card from the victim’s wallet.
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The victim later discovered fraudulent charges at the same Walmart that totaled an eyewatering $1,994.82. The Arvada Police Department emphasized the need for vigilance on their social media, stating, “Sorry to say that you must be aware of even casual conversations at the grocery store. Three criminals can be seen waiting to take advantage of someone checking out.”
The victim reportedly never noticed or felt the theft occur, highlighting the deceptive skill of the perpetrators. Public reactions on social media varied, with one Twitter user commenting, “Organised crime in action. Wow.” Another simply stated, “You are not safe anywhere.” A third user lamented, “It is terrible that people are this way. So sad you can’t even feel safe shopping.”
Walmart employees are increasingly vocal about the problems associated with self-checkout. Some workers have expressed that these stations are a primary source of retail theft, leading to significant losses for the company. This has prompted some stores to reduce the number of self-checkout lanes and revert to more staffed registers, though this change has also led to longer wait times for some customers.
Beyond self-checkout concerns, Walmart has also implemented changes to its coupon policy, causing frustration among shoppers. The retailer has eliminated coupon overages, meaning customers will no longer receive cash back or have excess coupon value applied to other items if the coupon’s value exceeds the product’s price. Additionally, limits on identical coupons and a crackdown on manager overrides for rejected coupons are now in effect, impacting the shopping experience.
Other retailers are also facing scrutiny for their self-checkout practices. Some stores have encountered backlash for introducing third-party ads on self-checkout screens or for policies that customers perceive as unfair. These changes contribute to a broader atmosphere of evolving retail operations and customer vigilance.
Walmart has been actively fighting back against theft with bans, high-tech surveillance, and new anti-theft measures. In a 2023 TikTok video, a Walmart employee, @brebre42010, let customers know it is not a good idea to try to skip a scan at self-checkout. She filmed a video with text overlaid that reads, “Me watching people steal at self checkout as if my phone doesn’t notify me for every missed scan.”
According to The U.S. Sun, Walmart associates have devices that alert them when shoppers are not scanning items. These devices have been in use since at least 2022. Former employee Athenia, who uses the handle @obeygoddess, warned shoppers in a viral TikTok video in 2022 that Walmart is getting better at catching thieves. “Do not steal from Walmart self-checkouts … you will get caught,” she stated.
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Athenia explained that handheld computers provide employees with “the option to pause your self-checkout at any point.” She detailed the process: “At any point on this device, if we click the number, it will show us your entire order and everything that you’ve so far scanned in, and if we suspect that you’re stealing, there’s going to be an option at the bottom that says ‘pause transaction.’”
Once a transaction is paused, the customer’s screen will freeze or display an error page, requiring them to flag down an employee for assistance. The ex-employee added that at her store, Walmart associates would then “pretend like something is wrong with the machine” and direct that customer to check out with a cashier instead, effectively intercepting potential theft.
Security cameras also play a significant role. According to 2024 security camera footage, it is likely that cameras are set up in the self-checkout area, monitoring every movement. Employee RéJean Allen stated in an Oct. 2021 TikTok video, “The slightest hand movement that looks like you’re stealing, that camera catches it and it puts in on the screen.” Allen further explained, “And then it will replay your video back of when you’re trying to steal something if you didn’t scan it.”
Another incident showcasing Walmart’s AI technology surfaced on social media. A TikTok user named Nesha posted a video demonstrating how Walmart’s AI-powered self-checkout system flagged her for allegedly missing a scan. The viral clip, which accumulated over 2.2 million views, showed a pop-up alert on the self-checkout screen reading, “Associate is on the way,” followed by a message stating, “Missed Scan Detected.”
The system even provided an overhead video replay of her supposedly skipping the barcode scan on a backpack. While this particular TikTok video was a staged skit, it effectively brought attention to Walmart’s AI-driven anti-theft technology. The retailer has been utilizing “Missed Scan Detection” since 2017, leveraging AI cameras to track both scanned and unscanned items.
Additionally, Walmart recently introduced nearly invisible barcodes on store-branded products that allow for automatic scanning without the need to locate a traditional barcode. These technological advancements demonstrate a significant investment in deterring theft and increasing accountability at self-checkout stations.
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Retail theft has surged in recent years, with U.S. retailers reporting a 93% increase in shoplifting incidents since 2019. Self-checkout theft is particularly concerning, as a 2023 survey found that 15% of shoppers admitted to stealing items at self-checkout, and of those, only 33% were caught. Walmart, for example, loses an estimated $3 billion annually due to theft.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon addressed the issue, stating, “Theft is an issue.” He clarified, “It’s higher than what it has historically been,” and warned that the increase in shoplifting could lead to higher prices and store closings. He emphasized, “We’ve got safety measures, security measures that we’ve put in place by store location. I think local law enforcement being staffed and being a good partner is part of that equation, and that’s normally how we approach it.”
Target also experienced a spike in shoplifting in 2022. Chief Financial Officer Michael Fiddelke reported a 50% increase in the crime within a year, costing the company more than $400 million in the 2022 fiscal year alone. He further warned that most of the shoplifting constituted organized retail theft, rather than petty theft, indicating a more systemic problem.
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To combat these losses, Walmart has implemented stricter security measures, including receipt scanning at store exits and locking up frequently stolen items. While these strategies may help curb theft, some customers have voiced frustration, arguing that increased security measures make shopping less convenient and imply that all customers are potential criminals.
As self-checkout continues to be a prominent feature in retail, both employees and customers are grappling with its implications. While intended to streamline the shopping experience, the rise in scams and operational issues necessitates a heightened awareness from shoppers. For conscientious shoppers, an innocent slip-up at self-checkout could inadvertently lead to legal trouble, as people have been cited for petty theft even when claiming honest mistakes.
To avoid confusion and any potential run-in with asset management, attorney Carrie Jernigan recommends using self-checkout only if you have a limited number of items, and always using a debit or credit card instead of cash. In a TikTok video discussing the dangers of using self-checkout, she also advised being slow and intentional when scanning to prevent any missed scans. Going the extra mile, she suggested holding up each item to the camera before scanning and placing it in your bag.
To navigate this evolving retail landscape safely, shoppers should double-check their receipts. One of the very first things to do when using the self-checkout line is to be aware of your surroundings, checking for anything or anyone that may look suspicious, or an item lingering around the scanner. Self-checkout lines are often relaxed when it comes to security, making personal vigilance key.
To avoid being scammed altogether, immediately check the screen for any pending items. While a time crunch can make it tempting to scan items quickly and depart, this is precisely what scammers anticipate. It takes only a few seconds to ensure that no previously scanned products are listed and that the total balance starts at $0. If the on-screen cart is not empty, clear the transaction or call a staff member immediately.
Upon leaving the store, take a moment to review your physical receipt. Compare your bags to the itemized list for any unusual charges, such as “debit load” or “Visa,” or discrepancies where an item on your list is not in your bag. If anything suspicious is found on your receipt, or if a scam is suspected, call a staff member over immediately for assistance.
If you believe you have fallen victim to a scam, do not panic. Take a moment to scan your receipt and identify the suspicious items. Contact the store for help to inform them of the incident, as others in the area may also have been targets. It is also recommended to contact local law enforcement and your bank to create a formal record of the scam. Seeking legal counsel can provide necessary tools to investigate and address the situation.
The ongoing dialogue between retailers, employees, and consumers will likely continue to shape the future of self-checkout technology and its implementation in stores nationwide. As technology evolves, shoplifters will likely continue to find new ways to exploit self-checkout systems, creating an ongoing challenge for security. Whether increased security measures will successfully curb theft without harming the customer experience remains to be seen in this dynamic retail environment.
