The Walmart Playstation 5 Scam Call – What You Need to Know
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
Have you received an alarming voicemail claiming you ordered a Playstation 5 from Walmart that you need to cancel? You’re not alone. This robocall scam has been targeting Walmart customers across the country, trying to trick them into handing over money or personal information.
Overview of the Scam
The scam starts with a robotic voicemail that claims to be from Walmart, stating that a purchase for a Playstation 5 gaming console has been pre-authorized on your account, usually for an amount around $500 to $1000. The message then prompts you to “press 1” to cancel the order or speak with a Walmart customer service agent.
Of course, there is no unauthorized Playstation 5 order on your Walmart account. The call is 100% fake and designed solely to manipulate victims into engaging with scammers posing as Walmart support staff. Once connected with a “representative,” they will use high-pressure tactics to extort money or sensitive information from consumers.
This scam exploits the fact that the Playstation 5 remains incredibly difficult to find in stock and is highly coveted by gamers. The promise of a ready-to-ship PS5 order is enticing bait. Scammers are preying on frustrated shoppers desperately trying to get their hands on Sony’s new console.
How the Scam Works
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how the Walmart PS5 scam unfolds:
1. You Receive a Robocall Voicemail
The scam starts with an automated voicemail sent to your phone. The recording claims to be from Walmart, referencing you by name and notifying you of an unauthorized Playstation 5 order charged to your Walmart account.
The message urges you to “press 1” to cancel the purchase or speak with customer support. Of course, there is no real order to cancel, but the call is designed to get you to engage with the scammers.
2. You Press 1 and Reach an “Agent”
When you press 1 per the voicemail instructions, you’re connected with a scammer posing as a Walmart customer service agent. They reiterate the fake PS5 order and claim that they need to access your account to process a refund.
This is where the scam escalates. The “agent” will request personal information or try to get remote access to your computer by having you download screensharing software.
3. Scammers Attempt to Extract Money or Information
Armed with remote access to your computer, the scammers can now try a few schemes to steal your money or data:
Tricking you into purchasing gift cards – They may claim the only way to refund the Playstation order is through gift cards. They’ll ask for the gift card numbers which they can quickly drain.
Installing malware – The scammers can covertly download malware or spyware with remote access. This gives them control over your computer and access to any sensitive info.
Accessing your online accounts – If you have bookmarks or logged-in accounts, the scammers can easily access them through the shared remote connection. They may drain bank accounts, steal personal info, and more.
Holding your computer “hostage” – Scammers can lock your computer with ransomware and demand payment to restore access.
4. You Have Handed Money or Info to Scammers
Once the scammers have gotten what they want from you, they end the call. You are often out hundreds of dollars in gift cards or have had sensitive personal/financial information stolen through remote access to your computer.
Some victims have paid over $1000 to these scammers before realizing it is a ruse. The fraudsters will utilize any tactic to pressure and deceive victims during the call in order to maximize their profits from the scam.
What to Do If You Fell Victim to This Scam
If you engaged with the fake Walmart PS5 robocall and lost money or provided scammers with any personal information, here are important steps to take:
1. Contact your bank immediately.
If you purchased any gift cards or the scammers gained access to financial accounts, contact your bank and credit card companies right away. Report any fraudulent charges or transactions. Cancel any cards that may have been compromised.
2. Reset all account passwords.
Assume the scammers accessed any online accounts with saved passwords. Reset the passwords on your email, banking, social media, and any other accounts. Make the new passwords unique and strong. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
3. Scan your computer for malware.
If you allowed the scammers remote access to your computer, it is likely infected with malware, spyware or even ransomware. Download reputable antivirus software to scan and remove anything suspicious.
4. Contact the major credit bureaus.
Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file and ordering your free annual credit reports. This will help detect any signs of fraudulent accounts or activity.
5. File complaints with the FTC and BBB.
Report the scam call to the Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau to help warn others. Provide details on the phone number, voicemail message, and scam tactics.
6. Warn your friends and family.
Alert your loved ones about this Walmart PS5 scam call so they don’t fall victim too. Share details on social media to spread awareness in your community.
Is Your Device Infected? Run a Free Malware Scan
Slow performance, constant pop-ups, or strange behavior? These are classic signs of a malware infection. The fastest way to find out is to scan your device with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free — one of the most trusted malware removal tools available.
The free version detects and removes the most common threats, including:
Adware — the cause of those annoying pop-ups
Browser hijackers — unwanted redirects and changed homepages
Trojans and spyware — hidden programs stealing your data
Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) — software you never asked for
👉 Select your device below — Windows, Mac, or Android — then follow the simple steps to download Malwarebytes, scan your system, and remove any threats it finds. The whole process takes about 5 minutes.
Malwarebytes for WindowsMalwarebytes for MacMalwarebytes for Android
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your PC in just a few minutes.
Download Malwarebytes
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.
(The link opens in a new page where your download will start)
Install Malwarebytes
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
Enable “Scan for Rootkits”
Before scanning, turn on rootkit detection so Malwarebytes can find even the most hidden threats. Click the Settings gear icon on the left side of the screen.
In the settings menu, find “Scan for rootkits” and click the toggle so it turns blue.
Done? Click “Dashboard” in the left pane to return to the main screen.
Start the Scan
Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
Wait for the Scan to Finish
The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take several minutes. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.
Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.
Restart Your Computer
Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, your PC is clean and you can continue with the next steps in this guide.
When the scan finishes, click Quarantine to remove everything Malwarebytes found. That’s it — your Windows PC is now clean of trojans, adware, and other malware, and should be back to running smoothly.
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:
Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your Mac in just a few minutes.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.
When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”
Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
Wait for the Scan to Finish
Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
Restart Your Mac
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, your Mac is clean.
Once the scan is done, remove every threat it detected. Your Mac is now free of adware, rogue browser extensions, and other potentially harmful software.
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.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Android
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.
After the scan, tap Remove Selected to delete all detected threats. Your Android phone is now clean — no more malicious apps, adware, or browser redirects.
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.
Now that your device is clean, keep it that way. Most infections start with a malicious ad or a fake download button — so blocking them at the source is your best defense.
We recommend AdGuard, which blocks malicious ads, phishing pages, and dangerous redirects before they can reach you.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Walmart PS5 Scam Call
1. I got a voicemail about an unauthorized PS5 order. Was this really Walmart calling?
No, this is a common robocall scam impersonating Walmart. The scammers are faking the calls to make victims believe money was stolen so they can trick you into buying gift cards. Walmart will never call demanding immediate payment or remote access to your devices.
2. What are the scammers trying to accomplish with this scam?
The scammers’ goal is to steal money and personal information. By posing as Walmart, they trick users into purchasing gift cards or handing over remote access to their computers. From there, they can steal gift card funds, install malware, access online accounts, and otherwise profit off victims.
3. What specific techniques do the scammers use?
Their main tactic is impersonating Walmart to make the call seem legitimate. They reference an unauthorized PS5 order from your account, then say to press 1 to cancel. This gets victims to engage thinking they are stopping a fraudulent charge. Other techniques include demanding gift cards as the only refund method or installing remote access software under the guise of helping fix the problem.
4. How much money have people lost to this PlayStation scam?
Reports indicate victims have lost hundreds to thousands of dollars. The scammers pressure victims into buying multiple gift cards with high balances. The prepaid cards are untraceable, allowing scammers to quickly drain the funds.
5. I pressed 1 and spoke to an agent. What should I do now?
Immediately contact your bank and report any unauthorized charges or transactions the scammers may have made. Also reset your online account passwords, scan devices for malware, place fraud alerts, and file complaints with the FTC and BBB to help prevent further damage.
6. What are the warning signs of this Walmart PS5 scam call?
Red flags include an unsolicited robocall about an expensive PS5 order, demanding immediate payment via gift cards, using high-pressure tactics, requesting remote access to your device, and an overall suspicious nature from the caller.
7. How can I protect myself from this scam in the future?
Don’t engage with any calls claiming to be from major retailers about unauthorized orders. Never pay with gift cards or give remote access to your devices to someone over the phone. Be cautious providing info to any unsolicited caller. Warn others about this con as well.
8. What should I do if a scammer gains remote access to my computer?
Immediately disconnect your computer from the internet and reset your wi-fi router. Run antivirus scans to detect and remove any malware installed. Change all account passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible. Place fraud alerts and monitor your financial accounts closely for any signs of access or theft.
9. Who can I report this scam to?
File detailed complaints with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), your state attorney general’s office, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Provide phone numbers, recordings, and names used to help warn and protect others.
10. Where can I learn more about the Walmart PS5 scam call?
Visit the FTC and BBB websites for alerts and resources on current robocall scams. Check with local law enforcement and news outlets as well. Share details on social media and among your family to help spread awareness of this fraud.
The Bottom Line on This Scam
This Walmart Playstation 5 scam call is just one of many robocall cons trying to steal money from consumers. It preys on high demand for the PS5 to trick users into handing over gift cards or remote computer access.
If you receive a voicemail about an unauthorized Walmart order, ignore it. Walmart will never contact you demanding gift cards or remote access to issue a refund. These are all tricks scammers use to steal funds and information.
Use caution with any out-of-the-blue call claiming to be from a major retailer. Legitimate customer support will never demand payments via gift cards or remote access to your device. Avoid engaging with suspicious calls and you can protect yourself from this financially damaging scam.
10 Rules to Avoid Online Scams
Here are 10 practical safety rules to help you avoid malware, online shopping scams, crypto scams, and other online fraud. Each tip includes a quick “if you already got hit” action.
Stop and verify before you click, log in, download, or pay.
Most scams win by creating urgency. Verify using a trusted method: type the website address yourself, use the official app, or call a known number (not the one in the message).
If you already clicked: close the page, do not enter passwords, and run a malware scan.
Keep your operating system, browser, and apps updated.
Updates patch security holes used by malware and malicious ads. Turn on automatic updates where possible.
If you saw a scary “update now” pop-up: close it and update only through your device settings or the official app store.
Use layered protection: antivirus plus an ad blocker.
Antivirus helps block malware. An ad blocker reduces scam redirects, phishing pages, and malvertising.
If your browser is acting weird: remove unknown extensions, reset the browser, then run a full scan.
Install apps, software, and extensions only from official sources.
Avoid cracked software, “keygens,” and random downloads. During installs, choose Custom/Advanced and decline bundled offers you do not recognize.
If you already installed something suspicious: uninstall it, restart, and scan again.
Treat links and attachments as untrusted by default.
Phishing often impersonates delivery services, banks, and popular brands. If it is unexpected, do not open attachments or log in through the message.
If you entered credentials: change the password immediately and enable 2FA.
Shop safely: research the store, then pay with protection.
Be cautious with brand-new stores, “closing sale” stories, and prices that make no sense. Prefer credit cards or PayPal for dispute options. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, and crypto payments.
If you already paid: contact your card issuer or PayPal quickly to dispute the transaction.
Crypto rule: never pay a “fee” to withdraw or recover money.
Common patterns include fake profits, then “tax,” “gas,” or “verification” fees. Another is a “recovery agent” who demands upfront crypto.
If you already sent crypto: stop paying, save evidence (wallet addresses, TXIDs, chats), and report the scam to the platform used.
Secure your accounts with unique passwords and 2FA (start with email).
Use a password manager and unique passwords for every account. Enable 2FA using an authenticator app when possible.
If you suspect an account takeover: change passwords, sign out of all devices, and review recent logins and recovery settings.
Back up important files and keep one backup offline.
Backups protect you from ransomware and device failure. Keep at least one backup on an external drive that is not always connected.
If you suspect infection: do not connect backup drives until the system is clean.
If you think you are a victim: stop losses, document evidence, and escalate fast.
Move quickly. Speed matters for disputes, account recovery, and limiting damage.
Stop payments and contact: do not send more money or respond to the scammer.
Call your bank or card issuer: block transactions, replace the card if needed, and start a dispute or chargeback.
Secure your email first: change the email password, enable 2FA, and remove unfamiliar recovery options.
Secure other accounts: change passwords, enable 2FA, and log out of all sessions.
Scan your device: remove suspicious apps or extensions, then run a full malware scan.
Save evidence: screenshots, emails, order pages, tracking pages, wallet addresses, TXIDs, and chat logs.
Report it: to the payment provider, marketplace, social platform, exchange, or wallet service involved.
These rules are intentionally simple. Most online losses happen when decisions are rushed. Slow down, verify independently, and use payment methods and account controls that give you recourse.
About 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.
