I recently received a Walmart “Money Card” that I had not signed up for or requested. It’s a type of debit card and the one I received had my name and address and even showed a positive balance of about $250.

Because it was unsolicited and I knew nothing about it (I don’t have any debit cards or accounts with Walmart), I checked online and found that the same thing had been reported by other people.

I didn’t activate the card as it instructed, and after confirming that the customer service number on the card was valid, I called and reported it as fraud and asked that any account in my name be canceled. One interesting thing about the automated menu one gets when calling was a “concern about identity theft” option—something I’ve never run across before and perhaps indicative that this is a common occurrence.

But I’m still puzzled by what the purpose of such a scam would be. I assume that if I’d activated the card I could have used it for purchases up to the balance amount, but I’m not certain. The only thing I can think of is that the unwary would activate the card and then add money that could either be stolen later or it would make it possible for someone to access a bank account that was used to load the card.

Any other knowledge or thoughts?

Maybe you've got a secret benefactor?

(I didn't say it was a good thought.)

A little better thought:

quote:

The only thing I can think of is that the unwary would activate the card and then add money that could either be stolen later or it would make it possible for someone to access a bank account that was used to load the card.

That seems very plausible. I'll go with that one.

Yeah I am not sure as I have been out of retail organized crime investigations for a good while, but I would be concerned someone had enough information about you to open up the account.

They either meant to get the delivery address of the card changed or there is a possibility that if you ended up associating your bank to the card to load more money then they would have access to that info. I am not sure because I am not familiar with that card.

I will try to see if I have any contacts still working in Walmart’s global investigation division that I can ask about this to see what they say.

Thank you.
The incident did at least prompt me to finally freeze my credit with the three bureaus.

I won a Harbor Freight tool set, a $500 American Airlines gift card and a third thing, I forget what it was at the moment. My Netflix account was hacked and I have an undeliverable package waiting at the post office as well.

All in just today's emails alone.

quote:

Walmart “Money Card”

Did a little search too, looks like ID theft, they use your info to open an account and do small test deposits, then will file fake IRS tax returns, unemployment claims etc then give them the account to deposit into.

If you didn't call and left it open they will change the address on it, get a new card and take off with the money, changing the info back to you. So you get to deal with the IRS or state unemployment office.

IF you don't have an IRS issued PIN, probably should get one asap..

Supposedly to get the card online you need
Name Address SSN, clearly they have your name and address. They hope you just tear it up and throw it away, good for you on calling Wal-Mart

Article on this:

Link