Don’t fall for this Walmart impersonation robocall

As Walmart, Target and Amazon rolled out competing summer sales last week, I got a voicemail that seemed perfectly timed.

An automated message claimed a pre-authorized purchase of a PlayStation 5 and 3D headset totaling $919.45 had been placed on my Walmart account. The message urged me to call back immediately.

My first thought? Nice try.

As someone who covers scams, I had a pretty good idea what was going on. But even if you don’t, there are a few simple steps you can take before panicking.

First, I Googled it

A simple search of “Walmart PlayStation scam” yielded Reddit threads from people who had gotten the exact same voicemail. I also found an FCC warning from December 2025 describing the scam almost word for word. According to the FCC, if you call the number back, you’re connected to a scammer who tries to collect personal information.

Next, I checked my actual Walmart account

I didn’t call the number from the voicemail. Instead, I opened the Walmart app and logged into my account directly to make sure there weren’t any unauthorized purchases.

There weren’t.

That’s an important distinction: Always verify claims through the company’s official website or app, not through the contact information in a suspicious call, text or email.

Finally, I reported the scam

Even though I knew it was a scam, I still reported the call to the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau.

It might feel like overkill, but those reports help agencies spot trends, investigate scams and warn other consumers before more people become victims.

Stay Connected With the National Consumer Unit

Get clear, actionable consumer reporting delivered across platforms.

Follow National Consumer Correspondent Allie Jasinski for real-time updates on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Have a question you’d like us to investigate? Email us at askallie@hearst.com

Subscribe to our twice-weekly consumer newsletter for in-depth explanations and practical guidance.