GREENSBORO, N.C. — It seems every day, there is another scam. This one happens to target the world's largest retailer -- Walmart.
VERIFY QUESTION
Viewer Joanne Mendoza sent WFMY News 2 a screen shot of an offer she received and asked, "Is this legitimate?"
The "coupon" appears to be from a website called GiftOfXmas.com. It has the Walmart logo and reads, "It's our anniversary. Answer a few questions to get $75 Coupon of Walmart."
VERIFY SOURCE
- Tara Aston - Walmart senior manager of corporate communications
VERIFY PROCESS
Walmart senior manager of corporate communications Tara Aston concluded the post Joanne saw is not legitimate. She said Walmart's real survey practices are as follows:
- "Walmart does not solicit online for individuals to complete online surveys for gift cards or free gifts, nor do we send unsolicited emails asking individuals to participate in our surveys."
- "Walmart does not endorse and is not affiliated with any "sponsor offer" related program or survey."
- "Walmart will never send you emails or surveys that are contingent on your making purchases, subscriptions, or fulfilling other financial requirements."
- "Drawings for the legitimate Walmart receipt survey occur four times a year. Winners of the register receipt gift card are notified by certified mail, never via email."
Aston suggested customers look for signs of fraud in surveys:
- Poor grammar
- Poor spelling
- Outdated logos or branding (e.g. use of Wal-Mart or WAL-MART, instead of Walmart)
- There is often fine print disclosing that the offer is not associated with the brand listed.
- To receive the “free” gift card, the survey asks the customer to complete several steps and to request that several friends complete the same steps.
VERIFY CONCLUSION
The offer Joanne received is not legitimate. She should not participate in the survey.
Do you have a VERIFY inquiry? Submit a post, screen shot or selfie video to Meghann Mollerus via:
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E-mail: Mmollerus@wfmy.com
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