ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / ECONOMY & WORK

Someone tried to pull off a return scam at Walmart counter. An employee was having none of it

Walmart worker confronts the return scammer, sparking a viral debate on ethical consumer behavior.
UPDATED 7 DAYS AGO
Screenshots show a consumer's encounter with the alleged scammers (Cover Image Source: Return Scam | TikTok | @onecutecouponer)
Screenshots show a consumer's encounter with the alleged scammers (Cover Image Source: Return Scam | TikTok | @onecutecouponer)

The competition between retail chains as well as e-commerce platforms has also led to efforts to increasing consumer convenience. Although this has made it simpler to order products and return them, some scammers are exploiting this channel to siphon off money. While self-checkout counters are meant to speed up these processes at brick and mortar store, a TikTok video posted by @one_cute_couponer shed light on a growing ethical dilemma involving a woman engaging in a return scam at such a counter at a Walmart outlet. The video, which was viewed 589,000 times, captured a Walmart employee confronting the alleged scammer, sparking a broader conversation about the ethics of consumer behavior and its impact on societal values.

TikTok | @onecutecouponer
Screenshots showing the dispute at the store (Image Source: TikTok | @onecutecouponer)

The TikTok clip unfolds with a Walmart employee accusing the woman at the self-checkout of exploiting retail policies. The worker alleges that the woman regularly solicits other shoppers to purchase baby essentials for her, only to return the items for profit. "You do it all the time," the employee remarks. "You turn around and you return it. You're ripping my customers off."

The Walmart worker then urges another employee to escort the individuals involved out of the store. "It's a complete scam. Let's go," she declares, cautioning other customers against buying groceries for strangers. The incident attracted a wave of support from viewers, with one comment stating, "It's good she called them out."

Image Source:
Screenshot of a comment on the video (Image Source: TikTok | @onecutecouponer)

Another commenter shared a personal experience, saying, "This is true! Several times I have had women with babies ask me to buy formula and diapers." The comment section highlighted the ethical concerns surrounding charity scams, with one viewer commenting, "The fact that some people cannot afford groceries and are then asked to take advantage of someone's generosity."

"It's like you can't do anything nice for people nowadays. The dishonesty is thru the roof," added another user. Expressing anger, someone commented, "Ppl have no shame, how can you do someone who's willing to help like that." Furthermore, a viewer mentioned how they had been approached multiple times to contribute towards a full cart for someone. "Who shops a full cart just to beg?" they wrote.

TikTok | @onecutecouponer
The scammers being escorted out (Image Source: TikTok | @onecutecouponer)

The dialogue around return fraud is gaining momentum as reports indicate its increasing frequency, causing substantial financial losses for retailers. In 2023 alone, return fraud accounted for nearly $100 billion in losses. However, this trend is not without repercussions. Many fear that stringent return policies could penalize honest transactions and negatively impact both businesses and consumers.

Addressing the broader implications, it is evident that return fraud is not only an ethical concern but also a financial one for retailers. The alleged scam captured on TikTok is just one instance of a practice that, if left unchecked, could lead to significant financial losses for businesses. As retailers grapple with mounting losses, there is a legitimate concern that they may implement stricter return policies to protect their bottom line. But this also raises questions about the potential consequences for honest shoppers who may find themselves subject to more stringent return regulations.

This article originally appeared 10 months ago.

RELATED TOPICS WALMART
MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The two came up with a brilliant invention for anyone who finds it difficult to relieve themselves in the wilderness.
4 hours ago
Samara Leilani who won a brand new Nissan showed that things aren't as they appear on the show.
5 hours ago
Students supported him to get on a flight to Los Angeles for an audition that changed his life.
1 day ago
She shared a video that demonstrated how she got fed up with the slow-moving line at Walmart and decided to take action.
1 day ago
Celebrity Week on "The Price is Right" allows celebrities to play games that the show is known for.
2 days ago
She saw that the woman taking instructions from someone on the phone and noticed something was wrong.
2 days ago
The moment became unforgettable for audiences, and the presenter was appreciated for his recovery.
3 days ago
Even without the raise, Oliver remains one of the top-paid faces on American television.
3 days ago
The story resonated with thousands of fans who made sure to set things right for the hardworking man .
3 days ago
After O'Leary and Rodriguez made offers, Cuban also joined Greiner to make an offer.
4 days ago
The Home Depot staffer requests the individual's tax-exempt number, which the individual declines.
4 days ago
She also called out Walmart after describing how she was feeling about wearing unwashed clothes.
5 days ago
Like any struggling young actor in the 80s, White was looking for any opportunity to appear on TV.
5 days ago
The man bought three tickets but left the last one at the counter and the man on the counter just checked it out of curiosity.
6 days ago
Perry's comments about splitting bills and the women being the breadwinner did not go down well with many.
6 days ago
The woman finally asked for help from a worker at Walmart and found out more alarming details.
7 days ago
Walmart worker confronts the return scammer, sparking a viral debate on ethical consumer behavior.
7 days ago
She was only offered $6,600 as a “goodwill gesture” for being the winner. 
Dec 6, 2024
The man from New Jersey bagged the reward when he was in the studio just as a member of the audience.
Dec 5, 2024
Viewers were left scrambling for an explanation until the glitch was fixed during a re-run later that year.
Dec 5, 2024