Heads Up! Rip-off Scam Alert!

[gmcneill]

The Deputy Police Chief for the agency where I work advised me of a rip-off scam that is gaining popularity.

Customer at a check out line (usually but not always at a grocery store) uses a credit card to pay for the purchase. Cashier processes the payment, customer signs an electronic pad, and the transaction ends.

Most customers do not check the actual receipt at any time during the process.

The rip-off is that the cashier adds a cash back amount that is small enough to "blend in with" the total bill ($10-$20 or so) when finalizing the transaction. The cashier pockets the cash back amount.

Before yesterday, I never paid attention to the check out video screen or to the final receipt.

[buggyone]

Where (what state or community) is this being done? I have never been to a grocery store that will give cash back on a credit card transaction - to my knowledge.

[RichieB]

Where (what state or community) is this being done? I have never been to a grocery store that will give cash back on a credit card transaction - to my knowledge.

They must be debit card transactions. You cannot get cash back on a credit card transaction. You can get a limited amount of cash back with a debit card if you ask the cashier.

[OpusX1]

I can get cash back on my Sams credit card.

[RichieB]

I can get cash back on my Sams credit card.

That must be a particular practice with Sams. With credit cards issued by a bank, your transaction must be for the exact amount of the sale.

[gmcneill]

Where (what state or community) is this being done? I have never been to a grocery store that will give cash back on a credit card transaction - to my knowledge.

The incidents occurred in Florida but its likely that the scam will occur elsewhere, if it hasnt already.

I thought that I had written debit/credit card in my original post...didn't notice that it didn't post as such. I must've been pre-occupied with checking my receipts.

Debit card transactions have been the primary targets but as noted, there are some credit card cash back possibilities.

Anyway, as a public servant and w/end TV resident, the point was to share the info with you all, and you with family and friends, and they with others...

[njbchbum]

this story has been circulating on the general internet and through sources such as email and msg boards for quite some time and has been sniffed by snopes and determined to be FALSE!

snopes.com: WalMart Cash Back Scam (http://www.snopes.com/fraud/atm/cashback.asp)

hope this helps calm nerves...but it does NOT mean that one should stop checking their receipts! that habit is as good as balancing one's chech book!

[gmcneill]

Yes. We monitor that site also. But there is an issue with this general topic; same situation in restaurants.

[John_W]

They must be debit card transactions. You cannot get cash back on a credit card transaction. You can get a limited amount of cash back with a debit card if you ask the cashier.

I can't believe that others have never gotten cash back with a credit card. I don't know if Discover Card is different than M/C or Visa, but I use it primarily because I get 1% back on my purchases. We shop at Walmart at least once a week or more for years and when I swipe my Discover Credit Card at the checkout terminal it always asks if I want cash back and if so, how much. On a few occasions I've gotten $20 or $40 back if for example I needed money for gas. My debit card is with Sun Trust where I have my checking and I've never used it to make a purchase because it's directly tied to my checking account and it could get cleaned out if someone got my pin number.

[RichieB]

I can't believe that others have never gotten cash back with a credit card. I don't know if Discover Card is different than M/C or Visa, but I use it primarily because I get 1% back on my purchases.


Not sure if this is key here, but Discover card is tied to Sears. We do not use it because it is not accepted everywhere........almost, but not everywhere.

And I agree with you on debit cards for the same reason. :ohdear:

[Cliff]

Just so happens that this happened to me on Saturday at WalMart. I bought a cheap Timex watch with a gift card from my daughter. However, the watch cost $.95 more than the value of the gift card. So, I gave the girl another buck and expected $.05 in change. Got the 5 cents back but when I got home I looked at the receipt and noticed that she indicated that I tended $10 instead of the one buck. The receipt indicated that I was given $9.05 in change. Just as explained in the thread. I will have to start looking at the receipt before I leave the store.

[espulmano]

I did it for years in KY at Krogers when I needed cash with both Am Ex and Visa credit cards... haven't tried it here. Could be it's up to the individual store or chain.

[TrudyM]

Just so happens that this happened to me on Saturday at WalMart. I bought a cheap Timex watch with a gift card from my daughter. However, the watch cost $.95 more than the value of the gift card. So, I gave the girl another buck and expected $.05 in change. Got the 5 cents back but when I got home I looked at the receipt and noticed that she indicated that I tended $10 instead of the one buck. The receipt indicated that I was given $9.05 in change. Just as explained in the thread. I will have to start looking at the receipt before I leave the store.

In the case of your Wall Mart purchase if I understand you correctly you recieved the correct change but the clerck entered the wrong amount tendered in this case the clerk could pocket the 9 dollars but the till audit will come up short and if they do it alot the mangement is probably looking for the problem. Having been a store manager finding the petty thief (or in some cases the idiot who can't make change) in the mix was the bain of my life. If I was you I would give the Walmart manager a helping hand and show them the reciept.