Walmart apparently hacked!!!

[Muse]

I have a gift card (they wouldn't give me a refund when I brought back a TV I bought online whose box arrived damaged when I returned it unopened to local B&M store). The gift card was in the neighborhood of $200.

On May 4, 2019 I made a purchase at walmart.com for $11.49 and their system said in concluding the transaction that the remaining balance on that gift card was $187.09.

I call Walmart today to check on the card balance and their automated system said $0.00. Said press a button to hear transactions and it said there were two on May 16, 2019 in the amounts of $100.00 and $34.37 and to go online for further info and log in and go to Gift Cards. I have made no Walmart purchases of any kind since that online order May 4, 2019 for $11.49. So, I go check my account online, my gift card, and it had info on only one transaction, also on May 16, 2019 and for $1.01 and made at a Walmart store, Walmart Boynton Beach, FL. I haven't left CA in over a year!

I call Walmart and am instructed to email Walmart Gift Cards with my gift card number, how to best contact me and a description of the situation and I'd hear from them within 48 hours. I just emailed them at the email address given me, and I said I figured they had a much bigger issue than dealing with me, and that I figured they'd been hacked!

 

[highland145]

Sorry, it was Exterous.

 

[Charmonium]

Do gift cards still have magnetic strips for scanning at POS? Could be your terminal had a skimmer.

I think that information gets traded online pretty quickly so it would make sense to sell the information from a card bought in CA to group of thieves based in FL.

 

[Muse]

Do gift cards still have magnetic strips for scanning at POS? Could be your terminal had a skimmer.

I think that information gets traded online pretty quickly so it would make sense to sell the information from a card bought in CA to group of thieves based in FL.

Looking at back of card, it has one of those magnetic strips. If it was skimmed it must have been at the Walmart I've visited 1/2 dozen times in the last few years. Possible, but my thought was a hack of their data server(s). I used to work in programming and database administration and the security of the servers of the company I worked for was less than stout. We had an encryption algorithm but it was small potatoes, easily hackable by someone with chops. I personally had complete access at all times to names, credit card numbers and probably more of most of the employees of most of the biggest technical and other companies in the USA. Others too. Of course, I was completely professional. The security of our database system wasn't the best. I have to think that Walmart is using something robust, possibly Oracle. However, I have very little faith in Walmart. They are the largest retailer on planet earth. However, my experience is that they are very easily the most incompetent company of any size on the planet. It's staggering. And I'm not even a regular customer. Seems like 1/2 of my dealings with them are fucked up somehow. It could be partly because of the nature of my dealings with them, but I'm not that unusual in what I do. Order something to pick it up? Supposed to be there, I go... it's not there, deal with customer support. Just one example.

I would not shed a tear for the people who tried to rip me off if they do time. They kind of wrecked my afternoon here.

 

[Captante]

Dang .... No Slider-seal bags for you!

Hope Walmart gets your money back that totally sucks!

 

[Muse]

Dang .... No Slider-seal bags for you!

Hope Walmart gets your money back that totally sucks!

I figure to wait for restitution before driving over to Walmart. They are kind of out of the way. No hurries.

 

[Raincity]

I have heard of this from somebody who bought the gift cards last Xmas and one of them had the number stolen. Walmart did a reimbursement after a week long investigation.

 

[Muse]

I have heard of this from somebody who bought the gift cards last Xmas and one of them had the number stolen. Walmart did a reimbursement after a week long investigation.

I think I got my gift card middle of December, so yeah, I'm thinking there might have been a hack around then.

 

[stargazr]

My mother sent us a gift card for Yankee Candles for Christmas. It wasn't a card, just a link to their site with a page I printed out, a number. We went to use it at one of their stores and they said someone used it in New York (I'm in TX). Nothing they could do about it.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yeah, basically, you're screwed OP. Best of luck.

Next time, ONLY use Paypal with walmart.com. CC#s and gift cards especially, have been known to be hacked on that site. Most are probably "inside jobs", but I've just heard that theory anecdotally over the 'net.

 

[Muse]

Yeah, basically, you're screwed OP. Best of luck.

Next time, ONLY use Paypal with walmart.com. CC#s and gift cards especially, have been known to be hacked on that site. Most are probably "inside jobs", but I've just heard that theory anecdotally over the 'net.

No, I think they'll at the minimum restore the value to the card. We'll see.

 

[Fritzo]

I used the ATM at Walmart at their hokey Woodforest bank, and the next day that card was being used in Brazil buying $1800 worth of Walmart TVs and laptops. This happened last year. I have a feeling they get breached a lot and it doesn't make the news.

 

[Muse]

I used the ATM at Walmart at their hokey Woodforest bank, and the next day that card was being used in Brazil buying $1800 worth of Walmart TVs and laptops. This happened last year. I have a feeling they get breached a lot and it doesn't make the news.

Walmart is the fleabag of major retailers. I'm glad they are out of the way for me, that's a blessing!!!

 

[WilliamM2]

Walmart is the fleabag of major retailers. I'm glad they are out of the way for me, that's a blessing!!!

Why would you take a gift card instead of a refund? No receipt? I don't even think that's legal in my state if you have the receipt.

 

[balloonshark]

You said you made a purchase online with the card. Have you considered your machine is the one that has been "hacked"?

 

[Muse]

Why would you take a gift card instead of a refund? No receipt? I don't even think that's legal in my state if you have the receipt.

Oh, I had it all, receipt, unopened box. I brought it to returns and they insisted on opening the box, inspecting the contents and then they said they wouldn't/couldn't issue me a refund back to my credit card but would instead give me a gift card for the amount. It was a long line, I had to wait ~1/2 hour to get to the front. By then there was a long line behind me. I was "whatever, what's the point in arguing, evidently it wouldn't do me or anyone else there any good" and I accepted the card and moved on. Yeah, it's California. I had to assume it was legal for them to do this. I was in no position to judge the legality of it, even doubt it at the time.

 

[Muse]

You said you made a purchase online with the card. Have you considered your machine is the one that has been "hacked"?

I did think of this, yesterday. It's extremely unlikely. My data is pretty obtuse. I'd say odds are 1000+ to 1 that Walmart was hacked, not me. In fact it's so remote I think I should certainly assume it's impossible it was me.

 

[Muse]

Yeah, basically, you're screwed OP. Best of luck.

Huh? What they've shown me so far is pathetic. Two purchases for $100.00 and $34.37 including nothing specific. Nothing to indicate who made the purchases, when or where or for what. I'm just WTF!?! And one for $1.01 in Florida in a Walmart there, and they do indicate it was for some gaming thing I have no idea about. They don't add up to the $187.09 that was on the card, so what happened to the rest? They don't have a leg to stand on, as the saying goes. If they can't begin to explain how they can make a case that I spent the money, they have zero excuse to deny me the funds. And that is the case. They'll restore my GC or credit my CC. Otherwise I'll take them to small claims court and I'll win. They'll cave in before sending an agent to court.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yeah, when you use a Walmart gift card online, it gets tied to your online account, and used automatically for future purchased by default.

So, what I've heard is, that these online "stored gift cards", get drained all the time, either by hackers, or inside jobs, or whatever.

 

[Muse]

Yeah, when you use a Walmart gift card online, it gets tied to your online account, and used automatically for future purchased by default.

So, what I've heard is, that these online "stored gift cards", get drained all the time, either by hackers, or inside jobs, or whatever.

fleabags... I'd never buy a Walmart gift card, they foisted it on me.

My experience with Walmart is that they screw up A LOT. But they have pretty much always compensated me when they did. Seems like every time. They have given me stuff free, given me free credit. I expect they'll replenish my GC, in fact I imagine they'll give me a new one. Thing is, I don't shop there a lot, just occasionally, so it might take a year or two, maybe more before I use up the $187.09, so I'll have to keep an eye on the balance. Doable! I can and do keep extensive data when I want to.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Step 1: Never go to any Walmart whatsoever

 

[darkswordsman17]

I hate gift cards of all kinds because of all the shenanigans that seem to happen when dealing with them. I really hate how ubiquitous they've gotten, but in some way I guess I can't complain as I usually do gift cards for Netflix or Steam so that I can keep payment info off of them.

I'd rather not get anything than a gift card as it generally represents no thought, and yet its also kinda an insult "I couldn't think of something meaningful to get you, so here's some money, but I don't trust you to not spend it stupidly so I'm dictating where you'd spend it at least!" Which there are people that I feel that way about, but

I used the ATM at Walmart at their hokey Woodforest bank, and the next day that card was being used in Brazil buying $1800 worth of Walmart TVs and laptops. This happened last year. I have a feeling they get breached a lot and it doesn't make the news.

Er, the banks in Wal-Marts are not Wal-Mart (likewise the ATMs are independently managed), so that's not really their fault.

Now, I bet they do make for popular targets for skimmers and other stuff just due to the volume and accessibility.

 

[Raincity]

Step 1: Never go to any Walmart whatsoever

Why not if its the cheapest prices near you. Then pay with Walmart credit and get another % off. If Walmart gets hacked on their own issued bank cards or their sloppy internet POS system. To ###### bad. Its their ###### problem not yours.

 

[Muse]

Why not if its the cheapest prices near you. Then pay with Walmart credit and get another % off. If Walmart gets hacked on their own issued bank cards or their sloppy internet POS system. To ###### bad. Its their ###### problem not yours.

Well, I wonder. My case is pretty good (see OP) but I got this message from them yesterdad in response to my email:


Thank you for reaching out about this issue, <my first name>. We understand your concern about your gift card being used without your permission. Unfortunately, Walmart is not liable for lost, stolen or compromised funds. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. For any questions, comments or concerns, please review our Gift Card Terms and Conditions on Walmart.com by clicking on this link: https://help.walmart.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/57/kw/gift card compromised./track/CvMAjgr3Dv94~WIvGoQe~yLp4ewq5S75Mv~9~zj~PP80
- -
I just sent them this response in email reply:

Your dismissal of responsibility for the unauthorized activity on my account is far too perfunctory. There is only one charge specified with any details, being one for $1.01 at a Walmart in Florida. The other specified amounts are for $100.00 and $34.37 and Walmart has provided me with no details concerning them. Where and how they those transactions made, and for what items or services. Please provide me with details. Also, the totals of the 3 items, $1.01, $100.00 and $34.37 do not add up to the $187.09 that was remaining on my gift card after my last use of the gift card. Please give me some more details. What you have provided me is sketchy, woefully inadequate.

 

[VirtualLarry]

No offense, but I think you're reaching, a bit, to expect a company allegedly rife with GC fraud, to compensate you for stolen GC funds, when they can't even seem to employ most people full-time; give benefits, or pay a "living wage" in some parts of the country.