A Walmart shopper lost $700, but later realized the mistake that could have caused the loss.
Kevin Wilson bought two gift cards totaling several hundred dollars, but when he tried to use them for the first time, he realized he only had 27 cents left.
The Walmart shopper from Surrey, Canada, about 30 miles east of Vancouver, purchased these gift cards during the November 2022 Black Friday promotion.
According to CBC News, when he tried to use his card at a local store in December 2022, he saw the money missing and became concerned that he had been a victim of fraud.
Transaction records show the cards were used at Walmart stores in Richmond, British Columbia, and Mississauga, Ontario.
“I was shocked. The card never left my hands,” Wilson said.
“It was just an unbelievable feeling. How is that possible?”
He added that the gift card showed no signs of damage.
Wilson said she initially posted a photo of the gift card on Facebook to share her excitement, but the barcode was visible.
He said he didn’t think it would be a problem because the security code was hidden.
Wilson later discovered that she was only asked for a security code for online purchases, and for self-checkout sales, she only needed to scan a barcode to use her card.
Therefore, he felt that his Facebook post may have allowed the scammers to use the photo of the barcode.
“A light bulb went off,” Wilson said.
“I had an eureka moment and I was like, ‘No way, it can’t be that easy.’
A Walmart Canada spokesperson told CBC News that the company will issue a refund if Wilson is found to have been the victim of fraud.
The representative also said that Walmart is taking steps to protect customers from fraud.
US Sun has reached out to Walmart Canada for comment.