Wal-Mart theft ring warning letter

[snopes]

Comment: Received this in an email. Would like to know if it is true or not



(PDF version here)

I didn't think that fake checks were that hard to fight.

[Eddylizard]

Well I don't know, but I would be puzzled as to why the header References The Department of Corrections and Public Safety whereas the footer references The office of motor vehicles, the former seemingly a seperate entity from the latter.

The wording seems a little casual for an official government memo too, but maybe that's just me.

[snopes]

Originally Posted by Eddylizard

Well I don't know, but I would be puzzled as to why the header References The Department of Corrections and Public Safety whereas the footer references The office of motor vehicles, the former seemingly a seperate entity from the latter.

As in many states, Louisiana's Office of Motor Vehicles is a part of the Department of Public Safety: http://omv.dps.state.la.us/

- snopes

[Johnny Slick]

I doubt it's a "government memo". More like a "personal note typed out on government letterhead".

[tagurit]

I don't think it's a government memo, either. Besides that, I'm wondering how anyone takes a picture of someone's check with their cell phone and no one's the wiser. Also, I was under the impression Wal-Mart is on an electronic check system that pulls funds immediately, so there's no waiting period for the check to clear, or not. I've not verified that. Another thing I found odd was that cashiers at Wal-Mart apparently have no accountability. I don't think so.

[snopes]

Originally Posted by tagurit

I'm wondering how anyone takes a picture of someone's check with their cell phone and no one's the wiser.

If a cashier waits until there are no customers in his/her line and then snaps pictures of a few checks from previous customers (while pretending to be using a cell phone), who's going to know?

- snopes

Originally Posted by snopes

If a cashier waits until there are no customers in his/her line and then snaps pictures of a few checks from previous customers (while pretending to be using a cell phone), who's going to know?

- snopes

My sister used to work at a large department store (not Walmart) where she was told using a cellphone while at the cashier, or even having one in her pocket while working was grounds for immediate dismissal. Securtiy cameras did film one of the employees using a phone while walking TO the cash register, and she was fired upon being seen on the security tape.

While not impossible to take a phone to the cash register, I would think the people using the phone would be noticed quite quickly if they had one with them and were using it. And, I also imagine the security cameras could be used to identify anyone using a camera/cell phone.

[snopes]

Originally Posted by JD65

While not impossible to take a phone to the cash register, I would think the people using the phone would be noticed quite quickly if they had one with them and were using it.

Given how often I've encountered cashiers chatting away on cell phones while standing at their registers, I don't think so.

And, I also imagine the security cameras could be used to identify anyone using a camera/cell phone.

They could, but that's only something that could effectively be used afterwards when someone had a fairly good idea of when and where the theft was occurring. And employees who knew where the cameras were positioned could probably easily figure out how to use their bodies (or something else) to surreptitiously screen their actions from camera view.

- snopes

[imjustasteph]

Originally Posted by JD65

My sister used to work at a large department store (not Walmart) where she was told using a cellphone while at the cashier, or even having one in her pocket while working was grounds for immediate dismissal. Securtiy cameras did film one of the employees using a phone while walking TO the cash register, and she was fired upon being seen on the security tape.

While not impossible to take a phone to the cash register, I would think the people using the phone would be noticed quite quickly if they had one with them and were using it. And, I also imagine the security cameras could be used to identify anyone using a camera/cell phone.

We were told the same when I worked at WalMart.

[Johnny Slick]

Originally Posted by snopes

If a cashier waits until there are no customers in his/her line and then snaps pictures of a few checks from previous customers (while pretending to be using a cell phone), who's going to know?

My phone says "say cheese!" before it snaps a picture.

[Cervus]

Originally Posted by JD65

While not impossible to take a phone to the cash register, I would think the people using the phone would be noticed quite quickly if they had one with them and were using it. And, I also imagine the security cameras could be used to identify anyone using a camera/cell phone.

Assuming the store has security cameras and enough staff to notice. I've worked at mom-and-pop businesses that had neither, and often I've been the only person in the building after or before business hours.

[Avril]

It wouldn't have to be the clerk (though that is what the letter says). The people in the back working on the daily deposits are shielded from public view, and while I'm sure there's some sort of security, if it is a "theft ring," the security guard and people preparing money for deposit might well all be in on it, and thus nobody is tipped off.

Avril

[hambubba]

Originally Posted by snopes

If a cashier waits until there are no customers in his/her line and then snaps pictures of a few checks from previous customers (while pretending to be using a cell phone), who's going to know?

The scam could include keeping the customer's check. I say this because our local Walmart has, for years, used the check scanner to imprint the checks, but then hands the checks back! Basically it treats the checks as debit cards.

I see few people actually writing checks at walmart.

[Skeptic]

Originally Posted by Eddylizard

Well I don't know, but I would be puzzled as to why the header References The Department of Corrections and Public Safety whereas the footer references The office of motor vehicles, the former seemingly a seperate entity from the latter.

The wording seems a little casual for an official government memo too, but maybe that's just me.

No, it's not just you, I felt the same way. There are two grammer errors also regarding is/are - "One of the main things .... are gift cards", and "but the FBI and Secret Service is investigating...".

[hambubba]

Yeah, this is what I thought.

A more recent example.

[Avril]

From hambubba's first link, yet another reason not to shop at Wal-mart!

Normally in a case like this the bank would reimburse a customer who falls victim to wire fraud. But because Davis did not discover the fraud until after 30 days had passed, the bank is not required to replace the money and Davis says Wal-Mart will not refund the missing $3,000 either.

From a case on the People's Court (if People's Court was right), what I understand is that the employer is responsible for this kind of thing.

I hope she sues.

Avril

[llewtrah]

Originally Posted by Eddylizard

The wording seems a little casual for an official government memo too, but maybe that's just me.

Not just the language - excessive capitals and multiple exclamation marks are unprofessional.

Nothing on Walmart's website debunking this? I looked briefly, but could not see anything.

Not getting a cheque back wouldn't be odd to UK customers so i had to read the other links to understand what the issue was.

[Don Enrico]

Regarding to the OP: Is that what a US gouvernment letterhead would look like? Just the departments name and seal, no sub-department, adress, telephon number, e-mail adress, room number, name of the employee?

The gouvernment letterheads I've seen (and I work for the gouvernment, so I've seen quite a few) would have all that, plus (in most cases) information on business hours, parking spaces, wheelchair access and what's more.

Don Enrico

So a fake check is printed from a cell phone image? Don't most checks have security features that prevent such things? I know the memo implies that the fake checks are cashed by someone in on the scheme, but aren't the tills counted by someone else? And what about the bank employee? Shouldn't they notice a fake check?