Online or Phone Scamming - Phishing

SCAMS:  Email Phishing or Phone Vishing

What is phishing?
          
Phishing - A form of social engineering where attackers attempt to trick people into providing personal or confidential information for the purpose of committing fraud.

Phishing can happen through verbal conversations and online via two common methods: email forgeries and spoofed website's. The best way to defend against PHISHING is to be on guard for an email that doesn't quite look right.
 

How to spot a Phishing Scam:

  • Hover to discover - Bad guys like to hide malicious links in legitimate-sounding emails. Hover your cursor over any link in question before you click to make sure it is what it says it is. If the address looks strange or "phishy" or you're not sure, don't click it.

  • Look closely at the details - Legitimate messages seldom have major spelling mistakes or poor grammar.

  • Don't finish something you didn't start - Notifications that you've won a contest which you don't recall entering are likely scams. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

  • Trust but verify - Email addresses and sender names are easy to fake. If you're not sure about an email's origin, remember to "hover to discover" and proceed with caution. Think twice before clicking links or opening attachments from unverified senders.

  • Beware of the share - Legitimate companies and government agencies will never contact you asking for your password, financial or personal information. Think twice before sharing personal details with someone who has randomly contacted you.

  • Seeing isn't believing - Malicious messages often include convincing logos, language and authentic-looking email addresses to make you think it's from a specific company. Be skeptical when it comes to your communication. If it looks suspicious, find the legitimate company phone number or email address on their corporate website and contact them directly.

  • What's the rush? - Emails urging you to take immediate action are often a red flag. Don't lose your cool—slow down and think before you act.

 

How to Report a Scam:

Email forgers may use emails or brands that you trust to collect personal information from you. To detect if an email has been forged, look for any of the following warning signs:

  • SamsClub.com will never ask you to e-mail personal information, such as your Membership number, password, bank account or credit card information.

  • Sam's Club will never send an email claiming that we have lost or are updating your records

  • We may ask that you verify personal information already provided to us if we suspect fraudulent activity, but we will never threaten to close your Membership account or cancel an order if you do not provide us with personal information.

 

If you receive an email purportedly from Sam's Club that contains any of the above, treat it as a scam/spoof and please report it to us immediately:

  1. Attach the suspicious message to an email and send to:  OnlineAbuse@walmart.com. (do not forward)

  2. Delete the suspicious email from your inbox

 

Additional Solutions to Identify/Report Scams:

1. Visit walmartstores.com/PrivacySecurity/9620.aspx for further details about security and how we are protecting your online information. This site is relevant to both Sam's Club and Walmart.

2. Take action if you receive a suspicious email:

  • If you suspect to have received an email from a forged email address, please send the email to us as an attachment with the original subject line at OnlineAbuse@walmart.com.

  • Please don't cut and paste the email, change the subject line, or forward the email.

  • If you doubt the authenticity of an email, never provide personal or sensitive information or click any links within the suspicious email.

3. Use these resources for help with fraud:

  • If you think that you've been defrauded, contact the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP

    • OR

  • The Consumer Fraud Division of your state's Attorney General's office.

Phone Scams:  Vishing

Sam's Club will never call a member to ask for sensitive information such as: 

  • Social Security number

  • Credit Card number

  • Membership number

    
If  a member receives calls asking for sensitive information, they should be advised to immediately report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/complaint or at 877-FTC-HELP.

     The FTC might request the following information when reporting an attempted phone scam:

  • When did you receive the call (date, time if known)?

    • The phone number that contacted you (if available)

  • Did the caller ask for money/credit/debit?

    • What amount did they request?  Did you provide?

  • Did the caller provide any information to contact them back?

    • Name, number, email

  • Did you provide any private information to the caller?

    • If yes, what information did you provide?(optional)

 

Was this answer helpful?
Anything to add or make clearer?
Help Center home