Beware of Viral $750 Walmart Gift Card Scams – What You Need to Know
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
Have you seen those social media posts promising easy $750 Walmart gift cards? At first glance, scoring a massive free rewards card seems like a sweet deal. But are these viral giveaways flooding your feed too good to be true?
Read on to unravel the truth behind these online offers making big promises of Walmart gift cards in exchange for just a few simple steps. We’ll uncover the scam tactics being used to target unsuspecting shoppers, and equip you with tips to avoid becoming a victim.
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An In-Depth Look at the $750 Walmart Gift Card Scam
A clever social media scam is capitalizing on Walmart’s brand recognition to fool unsuspecting shoppers with the enticing promise of easy free rewards. The viral offers promote a special chance to claim a $750 Walmart gift card through an exclusive giveaway or promotion. But in reality, it’s an elaborate phishing scheme aimed at harvesting users’ sensitive login credentials and personal data.
The scam ads and posts are made to look official using Walmart’s trademarked logo, fonts, imagery of real gift cards, and the exact $750 value touted in many of their genuine promotions. Employing the familiar branding tricks users into believing the offers come directly from Walmart, rather than an unknown scammer.
Attention-grabbing headlines invite people to click on links leading to sophisticated fake websites dressed up to precisely mimic Walmart’s real online portal. The fraudulent sites even include interfaces for users to “log in” and manage their accounts.
Everything from the visual design to the domain name is meticulously cloned to dupe visitors. But upon closer inspection, the URLs often contain odd additions like “reward”, “redeem”, “giftcard”, or “offer750” revealing their bogus nature.
On these counterfeit sites, users are prompted to input login credentials or personal information to register for the promised $750 gift card. In some versions, they must complete additional steps like surveys, free trials, or suspicious downloads before the reward can be “unlocked.”
In reality, the scam’s only intention is harvesting usernames, passwords, email addresses, and other user details for criminal purposes. There are no actual gift cards being given out.
Once scammers acquire someone’s Walmart username and password through the phishing site, they can access the real account to change settings for fraudulent purposes. They may update the linked payment info, shipping address, or steal loyalty points.
In other cases, scammers use the account access to pivot into additional identity theft or retail fraud schemes. They may attempt to reset passwords on the user’s other online accounts by abusing the “Forgot Password” auto-recovery options.
Some variations aim to infect devices with malware by getting victims to download suspicious apps and files disguised as Walmart “reward claiming” programs. This grants scammers remote access to access even more sensitive data.
Walmart has confirmed these supposed $750 gift card offers are completely fake and unauthorized. The company is actively working to detect and pursue legal action against scammers impersonating their brand. But consumers must also exercise extreme caution around unbelievable deals requiring upfront personal data.
When scrutinized objectively for red flags like poor grammar, urgent call-to-actions, and illogical reward mechanisms, the scam’s real goals become obvious. Don’t let a convincing corporate impersonation trick you into compromising sensitive information online.
How the $750 Walmart Gift Card Scam Fools Users Step-by-Step
Here’s an inside look at the tactics scammers use at each stage of this prevalent con:
Step 1: Deceptive Social Media Posts
The scam starts with sponsored ads or posts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Using Walmart’s logo and gift card graphics, they promote a special chance to earn a $750 card through an “exclusive” giveaway, review panel or promotion.
Some versions have fake reviews and comments from people claiming they received their gift cards already. This adds bogus social proof that the offer is legitimate.
Step 2: Clicking Links to Fake Walmart Reward Sites
When users click on the links in the scam posts, they are taken to sophisticated fake websites made to closely impersonate Walmart’s real website and online account portal.
While the URL may be slightly different, everything else from the logo to the visual design is meticulously copied to dupe visitors.
Step 3: Phishing for Login Credentials
On the fraudulent sites, users are prompted to “log in” to redeem the $750 gift card using their Walmart account credentials. Scammers do this to steal real usernames and passwords.
In other versions, users are asked to complete a gift card “registration” form that phishes for personal and financial account details.
Step 4: Malware Downloads and Account Access
In addition to harvesting login info directly, the fake Walmart domains may attempt to get users to download malware-laced apps or files to infect devices and gain access to accounts stored locally.
Step 5: Accounts Compromised, Gift Card Never Received
Unsuspecting users who comply with all the scam’s steps soon realize they were duped when no $750 gift card ever arrives. Meanwhile, scammers leverage stolen account access to expose users to additional frauds.
The phishers bank on the small percentage of people who take the bait to make their scams profitable. But users should remember that if an online offer looks too good to be true, it certainly is.
Recognizing Red Flags of the Walmart Gift Card Scam
Despite the sophisticated cloning of Walmart’s branding, a trained eye can spot red flags proving these offers are 100% fake:
Suspicious links – Check the URL for odd variations signalling an imitation site.
Poor spelling/grammar – Sloppy mistakes reveal lack of legitimacy.
Requests for sensitive information – Walmart would never ask outright for financial data.
Malicious downloads – Real rewards don’t involve downloading unverified files or apps.
When objectively analyzed, the scam’s real goals become obvious: steal usernames and passwords, infect devices, and access online accounts. Be vigilant to protect yourself.
Steps to Take if You Engaged With a Scam Offer
If you supplied any sensitive information, passwords or downloaded files through one of these offers, take these steps immediately:
Run full system antivirus and malware scans to remove anything suspicious downloaded through the scam.
Change your Walmart account username and password. Make it long, complex and unique from all other accounts. Turn on two-factor authentication.
Place fraud alerts on your credit reports and closely monitor all financial accounts for unauthorized activity.
Contact Walmart to report the scam site and account compromise. Provide details to assist their abuse team’s investigation.
Avoid further engagement with scammers now that they have your login credentials. Never share additional sensitive personal or financial information.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
Here are some tips to protect yourself from fake gift card and account phishing scams:
Verify directly on Walmart’s official website rather than trusting third-party links or messages.
Search online to confirm legitimacy before providing any sensitive login credentials or personal information.
Analyze URL links closely to spot typos or odd domains signaling imitation sites.
Read all terms and disclosures fully before downloading apps, files or entering account details anywhere.
If an online offer appears wildly unrealistic, it’s likely a scam. Err on the side of caution.
Staying vigilant requires work. But outsmarting scammers gets easier the more educated you become about their typical tricks.
FAQ About the Counterfeit $750 Walmart Gift Card Offer
1. How does the $750 Walmart gift card scam work?
The scam starts with social media posts using Walmart branding to promote a fake gift card giveaway. Clicking links goes to phishing sites pretending to be Walmart.com. Users are tricked into entering account credentials or personal data, which is stolen.
2. What tricks do the scammers use?
The posts use official logos, real gift card graphics, and mentions of legitimate promotions to appear credible. The fake sites copy Walmart’s design to dupe visitors. Pushy language manufactures urgency. Fake reviews build social proof.
3. What happens after clicking the links?
The phishing sites prompt users to “log in” with their Walmart account credentials or provide personal info under the guise of claiming the $750 card. This gives scammers access to accounts and sensitive data.
4. Do you actually get a gift card?
No. Walmart confirms these viral offers are completely fake. No $750 rewards cards exist. The scammers’ only goal is harvesting users’ login and financial information for criminal purposes.
5. How can you recognize the $750 Walmart gift card scam?
Red flags include too-good-to-be-true rewards, sloppy grammar/spelling, odd URLs, requests for sensitive data, pushy language manufacturing urgency, and flashy claims with little logical explanation.
6. What should you do if you engaged with a scam offer?
If you provided any information or downloaded files, change your Walmart password immediately. Scan devices for malware. Place fraud alerts with credit bureaus. Report the scam to Walmart. Avoid further engagement with phishers.
7. How can you avoid these gift card scams?
Verify directly on Walmart’s official site rather than trusting third-party links. Analyze URLs for odd variations. Read all terms closely before providing data. Never download unverified files. Follow instincts if an offer seems fake.
8. Who is responsible for the Walmart gift card scam?
Unknown scammers unaffiliated with Walmart. The company is working to pursue legal action against scammers misusing their brand and deceiving customers.
9. Does Walmart offer legitimate $750 gift cards?
Yes, but only through their official website and app, in-store, and via select partner promotions. Walmart will never ask outright for sensitive data to claim gift card rewards.
10. What should you do if you see a sketchy Walmart gift card offer?
Walmart advises reporting questionable social media posts, websites, or account login pages impersonating them to their abuse team immediately. Do not supply any information or download anything through scams.
The Bottom Line
The promise of easy free rewards like a $750 Walmart gift card may be tempting. But engaging with these viral social media offers will only lead to identity theft and account hijacking at best, or full-scale financial frauds at worst.
As scammers exploit trendy brands to lend legitimacy to cons, we must keep our guard up. When unbelievable deals pop up, restrain that click finger. Verify directly, analyze closely, and trust your instincts. Don’t become the next victim. A scam revealed is no longer a threat.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
Meet Thomas Orsolya
Thomas is an expert at uncovering scams and providing in-depth reporting on cyber threats and online fraud. As an editor, he is dedicated to keeping readers informed on the latest developments in cybersecurity and tech.
