The FTC Is Sending More Than $9.8 Million to Consumers Harmed by Scams Involving Walmart Money Transfers—Who May Receive a Payment and What to Know About the Refund Process

Thousands of Americans who lost money to scammers through money transfer services at Walmart stores may soon receive an unexpected check in the mail.

The Federal Trade Commission announced on October 15, 2026, that it is distributing more than $9.8 million in refunds to 65,022 consumers affected by fraud involving money transfers at Walmart.

The payments follow a federal lawsuit accusing Walmart of failing to take adequate steps to prevent scammers from exploiting the money transfer services available in its stores.

The case dates back several years, but the refunds are being issued now as part of a $10 million settlement reached in 2025.

For consumers who lost money, the payments may provide some financial relief after scams that were often difficult or impossible to reverse.

But there are important limitations.

Not everyone who has ever sent money through Walmart will qualify, and receiving a refund does not necessarily mean the consumer will recover everything that was lost.

The FTC has identified a specific group of eligible consumers and is mailing checks directly to those individuals.

Recipients must cash their checks within 90 days.

The agency is also warning consumers that scammers may try to exploit news of the refunds by pretending to be government officials or refund administrators.

Here is what the settlement covers, who may receive money and how consumers can verify that a refund is legitimate.

More Than 65,000 Consumers Are Receiving Refund Checks

According to the FTC’s October 15 announcement, the agency is mailing 65,022 checks totaling more than $9.8 million.

The refunds are intended for consumers who were harmed by scams involving money transfer services at Walmart.

The FTC’s official Walmart refund page identifies the eligible transaction period as January 2015 through December 2024.

That date range matters because the refund program is not a general payment to all Walmart customers.

It is connected to particular money transfers and the consumer harm addressed by the federal settlement.

People who purchased groceries, used Walmart’s website or made ordinary retail purchases are not eligible simply because they shopped at Walmart.

Likewise, sending a legitimate money transfer through Walmart does not automatically qualify someone for compensation.

The program concerns eligible transfers associated with the fraud allegations in the case.

The FTC is distributing payments based on the records and eligibility determinations used for the refund program.

How Much Money Will Each Person Receive?

The FTC has announced the total refund amount and the number of checks being distributed.

Dividing $9.8 million by 65,022 recipients produces an average of approximately $151 per check.

However, that is only a mathematical illustration, not an announced payment amount.

The actual checks may vary depending on the refund calculation and the information available about individual losses.

The FTC has not stated on its Walmart refund page that every recipient will receive the same amount.

It also has not promised that each person will recover their entire loss.

Some consumers may have lost substantially more than the amount they receive.

The refund fund is limited, and the settlement does not represent the total amount allegedly taken by scammers over the years.

Consumers should rely on the amount printed on their official check rather than assuming they will receive a particular payment based on the overall settlement.

Why Was Walmart Involved in a Federal Scam Case?

Walmart offers money transfer services at many of its retail locations.

These services allow customers to send funds to other people, including recipients in different cities or countries.

For legitimate users, money transfers can be a convenient way to help relatives, pay certain expenses or send money when other payment methods are unavailable.

But scammers also use money transfer services because the funds can be difficult to recover after they are collected.

The FTC alleged that fraudsters repeatedly exploited money transfer services offered at Walmart stores.

The agency accused Walmart of failing to implement adequate fraud-prevention procedures, properly train employees and warn customers about suspicious transfers.

The original lawsuit was filed in June 2022.

According to the FTC, the alleged failures allowed scammers to take hundreds of millions of dollars from consumers over several years.

Walmart agreed to settle the case in June 2025.

The settlement included a $10 million monetary judgment and requirements intended to strengthen protections against fraudulent transfers.

The settlement resolved the FTC’s allegations without requiring a trial determination that every allegation was proven.

The Alleged Fraud Stretched Across Multiple Years

The FTC’s original complaint focused on money transfer activity between 2013 and 2018.

During that period, Walmart acted as an agent for money transfer companies including MoneyGram, Western Union and Ria.

The FTC alleged that scammers used these services to collect payments from victims.

Some consumers were persuaded to send money for purchases that never arrived.

Others were targeted by people impersonating trusted organizations or making false promises.

The agency argued that Walmart’s policies and employee training were inadequate to identify and interrupt suspicious transactions.

The complaint also alleged that the company failed to provide sufficient warnings to consumers about fraud risks.

The legal dispute continued for several years.

An amended complaint was filed in 2023, and the case involved additional legal proceedings before the parties reached a settlement in 2025.

The current refund program includes eligible transfers completed from January 2015 through December 2024, as identified by the FTC.

That refund eligibility window should not be confused with the narrower period emphasized in the original complaint.

Why Money Transfer Scams Can Be So Difficult to Recover From

Money transfers can move funds quickly.

That speed is useful for legitimate transactions, but it can also benefit criminals.

A scammer may pressure a victim to send money immediately, claiming that a bill is overdue, a family member is in trouble or a prize can only be claimed after a payment.

Once the money is transferred and collected, reversing the transaction may be difficult.

The FTC warns that requests to send money through wire transfers or similar payment services can be a major warning sign of fraud, particularly when the recipient is someone the consumer does not personally know.

Scammers often create a sense of urgency.

They may tell a victim that an opportunity will disappear, an account will be closed or a loved one will face consequences unless payment is made immediately.

That pressure can prevent people from taking time to verify the story.

For families, especially those managing tight budgets, a fraudulent transfer can cause significant financial harm.

Money intended for rent, utilities, medical expenses or household needs may be lost before the victim realizes what happened.

The Settlement Requires More Than Refund Payments

The $10 million settlement also includes requirements intended to reduce future fraud.

According to the FTC’s June 2025 settlement announcement, Walmart is prohibited from providing money transfer services without taking appropriate and timely steps to detect and prevent fraud-induced transfers.

The order also restricts Walmart from sending or paying out transfers that it knows, or consciously avoids knowing, are connected to fraud.

Additional provisions address assistance to certain sellers and telemarketers involved in unlawful payment practices.

These requirements are important because refunds address losses that have already occurred.

Fraud prevention is intended to reduce the likelihood that additional consumers will experience similar harm.

The settlement therefore combines financial relief with changes to business practices.

The FTC has emphasized that companies providing money transfer services have responsibilities to recognize and respond to signs of fraud.

Who May Qualify for a Walmart Refund?

The FTC identifies eligible recipients as people who completed qualifying money transfers at Walmart between January 2015 and December 2024.

However, that description does not mean every transfer during those years qualifies.

The refund program is tied to the consumer harm addressed by the settlement.

A person may be included if the FTC’s records identify an eligible transaction connected to the program.

The agency is mailing checks directly to identified recipients.

Consumers do not need to make a payment to establish eligibility.

The FTC’s published instructions do not announce an open application process for the current distribution.

Anyone who believes they should be included but has not received a check can contact the designated refund administrator to ask about the program.

The administrator can provide information about the distribution process, although an inquiry does not guarantee eligibility or a payment.

Do Consumers Need to Submit a Claim?

For the current distribution, the FTC says it is sending checks to eligible consumers.

It has not instructed the public to submit a new claim form to receive these payments.

That is an important distinction.

Some consumer settlements require people to apply for compensation before a deadline.

Other programs, including this distribution, use available records to identify recipients and send payments directly.

The FTC uses different procedures depending on the case and the information available.

Consumers should not assume that a website advertising a Walmart settlement application is legitimate.

The safest place to confirm instructions is the agency’s official Walmart refund page.

If the FTC later announces additional procedures, the official page is where consumers should look for updated information.

What Should You Do if a Refund Check Arrives?

The FTC says recipients should cash their checks within 90 days, as indicated on the payment.

That deadline is important.

A check that remains uncashed beyond its stated validity period may no longer be accepted by the bank.

Consumers should review the accompanying notice and follow the instructions printed on the payment.

They should also verify that the refund corresponds to the FTC program.

If there is uncertainty about whether a check is legitimate, consumers can contact the administrator using the phone number published on the FTC’s website.

They should not rely solely on a phone number or web address printed in an unexpected text message or email.

Scammers can create convincing messages that imitate government agencies.

Using contact information obtained independently from an official government website reduces that risk.

How to Contact the Official Refund Administrator

The FTC has designated Rust Consulting Inc. as the administrator for the Walmart refund program.

Consumers with questions can call:

1-833-472-1990

The FTC lists that number on its official Walmart refund page.

Rust Consulting can answer questions about the refund distribution.

Consumers may want to contact the administrator if they believe they are eligible but have not received a check, have questions about a payment or need guidance concerning an issue with the refund.

The FTC’s website also provides information about how its refund programs work.

The agency recommends using official sources rather than responding to unsolicited offers of assistance.

There is no fee to receive an FTC refund.

What if You Moved Since Sending the Money?

The eligible transaction period extends back to 2015.

That means some consumers may have changed addresses several times since the transfer occurred.

The FTC has established procedures for locating eligible recipients and updating addresses in refund programs.

According to the agency’s explanation of how refunds are distributed, it generally checks mailing lists against the U.S. Postal Service’s National Change of Address system.

The FTC may also attempt to locate updated contact information when checks are returned as undeliverable or remain uncashed.

However, consumers should not assume those procedures will locate everyone.

Someone who believes they qualify but no longer lives at the address associated with the original transaction can contact the official refund administrator for guidance.

The administrator can explain what information may be needed to review an address or payment issue.

What if You Lost More Than the Refund Amount?

For consumers who lost hundreds or thousands of dollars, a relatively small check may feel inadequate.

The FTC’s refund program is funded through the settlement.

The amount available for distribution is not equal to the full amount of losses alleged in the case.

That means the agency may be unable to reimburse every affected person in full.

In some FTC cases, consumers receive payments calculated as a percentage of their eligible losses.

The agency considers available funds, the number of recipients and other factors when determining distributions.

The FTC has not publicly provided a single fixed reimbursement percentage for every recipient in this Walmart program.

Consumers should therefore avoid assuming that the amount of a check represents the full extent of their recognized loss.

A refund can provide meaningful relief while still falling short of complete financial recovery.

Why Scammers May Target People Expecting Refunds

Public announcements about government refunds can create opportunities for new scams.

Fraudsters may contact consumers claiming that a settlement payment is waiting.

They may use the names of federal agencies, settlement administrators or well-known companies to make the message sound credible.

A caller might claim that the consumer must pay a processing fee before receiving the refund.

An email might direct the recipient to a website requesting banking credentials.

A text message might say that a payment cannot be released until the consumer confirms personal information.

These are warning signs.

The FTC states that it never requires consumers to pay money or provide account information to receive a refund.

The agency also warns that scammers may impersonate the FTC itself.

The safest response to a suspicious message is to avoid clicking links or providing information and instead visit the official government website independently.

Three Warning Signs of a Fake Refund Offer

A legitimate FTC refund should not require consumers to send money to receive money.

Families should be particularly cautious when a message includes any of the following demands:

An upfront fee: The sender claims that a processing charge, tax payment or verification fee is required before the refund can be released.
A request to transfer money: The sender instructs the consumer to send funds through a payment app, wire transfer, cryptocurrency transaction or gift card.
Pressure to disclose financial credentials: The sender asks for online banking passwords or other sensitive account information through an unexpected message or website.

These tactics are common in refund impersonation scams.

A person who is uncertain about a message can verify the program directly through the FTC.

The agency’s official website is FTC.gov.

Consumers can also report suspected scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Why Walmart Was Named in the Lawsuit Instead of Only the Scammers

A common question is why the FTC pursued Walmart when the underlying fraud was carried out by scammers.

The agency’s case focused on the company’s role in providing the money transfer services used in the schemes.

The FTC alleged that Walmart had responsibilities to implement reasonable safeguards and respond to suspicious activity.

The complaint accused the company of failing to meet those responsibilities.

The case was not based on an allegation that ordinary Walmart cashiers personally created the scams.

It concerned the company’s broader systems, training and fraud-prevention procedures.

Walmart disputed the allegations during the litigation, and the parties ultimately reached a settlement.

The resulting order establishes obligations intended to address the alleged weaknesses in the money transfer services.

For consumers, the case illustrates that fraud prevention may involve more than identifying the individual criminal.

It can also involve examining whether businesses handling financial transactions took appropriate steps to reduce foreseeable risks.

How Families Can Protect Themselves From Money Transfer Scams

The FTC recommends caution when someone unexpectedly asks for money through a wire transfer or similar service.

One of the most effective precautions is to verify the request through a trusted, independent source.

For example, if someone claims to be a relative experiencing an emergency, contact that relative using a phone number already known to the family.

If a caller claims to represent a government agency, hang up and locate the agency’s official number independently.

Consumers should be especially cautious when someone insists that a transfer must happen immediately or remain secret.

Scammers often use urgency to prevent victims from checking the facts.

Families may also benefit from discussing common fraud tactics before an emergency occurs.

Older relatives, teenagers beginning to manage their own finances and adults who regularly send money to family members may all encounter suspicious payment requests.

A simple household rule—verify an unexpected request before transferring money—can help reduce risk.

What if You Recently Sent Money to a Scammer?

Consumers who believe they have been tricked into sending money should act quickly.

The FTC recommends contacting the money transfer company immediately and asking whether the transaction can be reversed or stopped.

Recovery is not always possible, especially if the recipient has already collected the funds.

But reporting the problem promptly may improve the chances of intervention.

Consumers should also report the fraud to the FTC through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If the transfer involved a bank account or other financial service, the consumer should notify that institution as well.

People who shared passwords or sensitive account information should take steps to secure their accounts.

The appropriate response depends on how the scam occurred and what information was exposed.

The Walmart settlement is a specific refund program for eligible historical transactions.

It should not be viewed as a general reimbursement fund for every money transfer scam.

Why the Refunds Are Arriving Years After the Original Allegations

Consumers may wonder why payments are being distributed in 2026 when the lawsuit began in 2022.

Federal enforcement cases can take years to resolve.

Investigations may involve reviewing transaction records, developing legal claims, responding to court rulings and negotiating settlements.

Even after a settlement is reached, a refund program may require additional work to identify eligible recipients and calculate payments.

The FTC must also verify distribution information and arrange for the funds to be sent.

In this case, the lawsuit was filed in June 2022.

Walmart agreed to a settlement in June 2025.

The FTC announced the refund distribution in October 2026.

That timeline helps explain why some consumers may receive a check long after they stopped thinking about the original transaction.

It also makes official verification important.

An unexpected check connected to a years-old incident may seem suspicious, even when the payment is legitimate.

The FTC Has Returned Hundreds of Millions to Consumers

The Walmart distribution is part of a broader federal consumer refund program.

According to the FTC, its enforcement actions resulted in more than $435 million in consumer redress during 2025.

Those payments came from a variety of cases involving alleged deceptive or unlawful business practices.

The agency maintains a public list of active refund programs.

Consumers can search that list to verify whether a settlement or refund announcement is legitimate.

The FTC refund database includes program names, dates and contact information.

It is a useful resource when a consumer receives an unexpected check or hears about a potential payment.

However, being affected by a company’s alleged misconduct does not automatically guarantee that a refund program exists.

Eligibility and available funds vary by case.

What Consumers Should Know Before Depositing a Check

A check bearing the name of a government-related refund program may appear legitimate, but consumers should still exercise caution.

Fake-check scams can involve counterfeit payments that initially appear to clear before a bank later determines that the funds are invalid.

A common warning sign is a request to deposit a check and then send part of the money somewhere else.

Legitimate FTC refunds do not require that kind of arrangement.

Anyone uncertain about a Walmart refund check should verify it through the FTC’s official program page or the designated administrator.

Consumers should not call a number provided by an unsolicited person claiming to help with the payment.

Instead, they should use the number published by the agency.

For this program, the official administrator is Rust Consulting Inc. at 1-833-472-1990.

A Refund Can Help, but Prevention Remains Essential

The FTC’s $9.8 million distribution represents a meaningful effort to return money to people affected by scams involving Walmart money transfers.

More than 65,000 consumers are receiving checks.

The payments follow a settlement intended to strengthen fraud prevention and address alleged failures in the company’s money transfer operations.

But the case also illustrates how difficult financial recovery can be after a scam.

The amount available for refunds is limited.

Some victims may receive only partial compensation.

Others may not be included in the current distribution.

For consumers receiving checks, the most important immediate step is to cash them within 90 days and verify any questions through official channels.

For everyone else, the case serves as a reminder that scammers often rely on urgency, impersonation and payment methods that are difficult to reverse.

A money transfer may take only minutes to complete.

Recovering the funds can take years—or may never happen.

The Bottom Line for Consumers

The Federal Trade Commission is sending more than $9.8 million to 65,022 people affected by eligible fraudulent money transfers at Walmart.

The payments are connected to transfers made between January 2015 and December 2024 and follow a $10 million settlement reached in 2025.

Consumers identified for the distribution are receiving checks directly.

There is no announced public application process for this round of payments.

Checks must be cashed within 90 days.

Questions should be directed to Rust Consulting Inc. at 1-833-472-1990.

And no one should have to pay a fee or provide banking credentials to obtain an FTC refund.

For families who lost money, the checks may not undo the financial and emotional consequences of being scammed.

But they represent an opportunity to recover at least some of what was taken.

The most important next step is to verify the payment through official sources, follow the refund instructions and remain alert for anyone trying to turn a legitimate consumer settlement into another scam.

Original sources and official information