How to Check Your Walmart Gift Card Balance and Avoid Gift Card Scams

Gift cards are a popular and convenient gift, but sometimes things can go wrong. Imagine purchasing a Walmart gift card, only to find out later that it has a zero balance. This frustrating scenario happened to a Walmart customer, highlighting a sophisticated gift card scam. Understanding how to check your Walmart gift card balance and being aware of potential scams is crucial to protect yourself. This article will guide you through checking your Walmart gift card balance and provide valuable tips to avoid becoming a victim of gift card fraud.

Understanding the Walmart Gift Card Scam

One Walmart customer shared their unsettling experience of purchasing two gift cards that were drained of their funds shortly after purchase. Here’s how the scam likely unfolded based on their experience:

Criminals are believed to have tampered with gift cards directly from store racks. They take inactive gift cards, carefully remove the scratch-off strips covering the PIN and last digits of the card number, record these details, and then replace the strips to make them appear new. These compromised cards are then returned to the gift card display.

The scammers then monitor the balances of these cards, possibly using the “check my balance” feature online. Once a customer purchases and loads money onto a tampered card, the criminals are alerted. They quickly use the stolen card information to create duplicate cards or make online purchases, effectively draining the balance before the legitimate buyer can use it.

In the reported case, the customer noticed subtle irregularities on the tampered cards only after the scam was discovered. These included misaligned scratch-off strips, a detail easily missed during a normal purchase. The fact that both cards, chosen from different locations on the rack, were compromised suggests a widespread issue, not just an isolated incident.

Multiple Ways to Check Your Walmart Gift Card Balance

Fortunately, Walmart offers several convenient methods to check your gift card balance, ensuring you know your available funds before heading to checkout. Here are the primary ways:

Online via Walmart.com: This is often the quickest and easiest method.
1. Go to the official Walmart website and navigate to the gift card balance check page. You can usually find this by searching for “check gift card balance” on Walmart.com.
2. Enter your gift card number and PIN, which is located under the scratch-off area on the back of your card.
3. Submit the information. Your current gift card balance will be displayed instantly.
Using the Walmart App: If you have the Walmart app installed on your smartphone, you can easily check your balance there.
1. Open the Walmart app and navigate to the “Account” section.
2. Look for “Gift cards” or a similar option within your account settings.
3. Enter your gift card number and PIN when prompted.
4. Your balance will be displayed on the app.
In-Store at Walmart: You can check your gift card balance at any Walmart store location.
1. Visit the customer service desk or a checkout register.
2. Ask an associate to check the balance on your Walmart gift card. They will swipe your card and provide you with the balance information.
By Phone: Walmart also provides a phone number to check your gift card balance.
1. Call the customer service number on the back of your Walmart gift card.
2. Follow the automated prompts to check your gift card balance. You will likely need to enter your gift card number and PIN using your phone keypad.

Identifying Potential Gift Card Tampering

While scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, there are still some signs to look for that might indicate a gift card has been tampered with:

Check the Scratch-Off Strip: Carefully examine the scratch-off strip covering the PIN. Is it damaged, loose, or misaligned? Does it look like it has been reapplied? In the reported scam, one card had a strip applied slightly lower than normal, and another was off-center.
Irregular Packaging: Look for any inconsistencies in the gift card packaging. Is it damaged or resealed?
Buy from Trusted Sources: Purchase gift cards directly from reputable retailers like Walmart themselves, either in-store at the customer service desk or online from the official Walmart website. Avoid purchasing gift cards from third-party sellers or less reliable sources.

What to Do If Your Walmart Gift Card Has No Balance

If you check your Walmart gift card balance and find it unexpectedly empty, take immediate action:

Contact Walmart Customer Service Immediately: Call the number on the back of the gift card or visit the customer service desk in-store. Explain the situation and provide them with your gift card number and purchase receipt if you have it.
Provide Proof of Purchase: As demonstrated in the original customer’s experience, having your purchase receipt is crucial. Walmart was able to resolve the issue and issue a replacement card quickly because the customer had their receipt.
Retain All Information: Keep the physical gift cards, receipts, and any transaction history you can obtain. This documentation will be essential when reporting the fraud.
Report to Authorities (Optional): While Walmart may resolve the immediate issue, consider reporting the scam to local law enforcement or consumer protection agencies, especially if you suspect a larger pattern of fraud.

Protecting Yourself from Gift Card Scams: Prevention Tips

While Walmart rectified the situation for the customer in the original story, prevention is always better than dealing with the aftermath of a scam. Here are some proactive steps to minimize your risk:

Purchase Gift Cards Safely: Buy gift cards directly from the retailer’s customer service desk or official website instead of taking them from open racks where tampering is more likely.
Inspect Before Purchase: Carefully examine the gift card packaging and scratch-off strip for any signs of tampering before you buy it.
Keep Your Receipt: Always keep your purchase receipt for gift cards as proof of purchase. This is vital for resolving any balance issues.
Check the Balance Immediately: As soon as you purchase a gift card, check the balance to ensure it reflects the amount you loaded. Do this before giving it as a gift or using it yourself.
Be Cautious with Online Gift Card Deals: Be wary of deeply discounted gift cards from unofficial sources online, as these can often be fraudulent.

Conclusion

Checking your Walmart gift card balance is a simple yet important step in managing your funds and protecting yourself from potential fraud. By understanding the methods to check your balance and being vigilant about the signs of tampering and practicing safe purchasing habits, you can confidently use Walmart gift cards and avoid the frustration of falling victim to gift card scams. Always remember to keep your receipt and check your balance promptly after purchase to ensure your gift card is ready to use.