A common scam involving begging for help with grocery bills has been reported at various retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Publix. Scammers often approach shoppers in the store or parking lot with a sob story, asking them to pay for items, such as formula or a full cart of groceries.
Common Tactics and Red Flags
- The "Full Cart" Pivot: A scammer may ask you to pay for a few small items, but when you reach the register, you realize their cart is actually full of expensive items.
- Baby Formula/Necessity Hook: They may claim they need money for baby formula or essential items to elicit sympathy.
- Refunding for Cash: After you pay for their items, the scammers may return the items to the store to get cash back.
- Counterfeit Currency: They might attempt to pay you back with fake money.
- Distraction at Self-Checkout: Scammers may watch you enter your PIN at a self-checkout, then use a distraction (like a dropped $10 or $20 bill) to steal your card.
- Urgency and Pressure: They often act quickly and under pressure to prevent you from thinking through the situation.
How to Protect Yourself
- Decline Politely: Say "no thank you" firmly, even loudly if necessary.
- Do Not Pay: Do not agree to pay for strangers' groceries.
- Notify Staff: Immediately report the person to store management or security.
- Be Aware of Surroundings: Be cautious, especially in parking lots.
If you have been a victim of this scam, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
