Walmart customers receive FTC refund checks totaling $9.8 million
65,022 recipients have 90 days to cash checks stemming from a 2025 settlement over money transfer fraud prevention.
By Ariana Flores ·
The Federal Trade Commission is issuing 65,022 refund checks to consumers who used Walmart money transfer services between January 2015 and December 2024.
The agency announced the distribution on October 15, 2026. The total value of the payments exceeds $9.8 million. Recipients will receive the checks in the mail without needing to file a claim form.
The FTC has not published the specific criteria used to determine individual eligibility or the exact amount of each check. An analysis by MoneyTalksNews estimates the average payment at approximately $150, calculated by dividing the total fund by the number of checks. The agency did not confirm this figure.
The refunds stem from a settlement reached in June 2025. The FTC sued Walmart Inc. in June 2022, alleging the company failed to prevent fraud in money transfers. The agency claimed Walmart acted as an agent for services such as MoneyGram, Western Union, and Ria. According to the FTC, Walmart lacked effective anti-fraud policies, did not adequately train employees, and failed to warn customers.
Under the settlement, Walmart neither admitted nor denied the accusations. The order requires the company to take appropriate steps to detect and prevent fraud-induced money transfers. The FTC stated that simply shopping at Walmart or using its shipping services is not enough to qualify for the refund. Payments are limited to consumers affected by the specific transfer failures cited in the lawsuit.
Recipients must cash the checks within 90 days of receipt. The FTC noted that overdue payments can only be reissued if funds remain in the settlement pool. The company Rust Consulting serves as the program administrator. Individuals can verify the legitimacy of the program on the FTC website at ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/walmart-refunds or by calling 1-833-472-1990.
The FTC advised consumers not to pay any fees to receive their refunds. The agency will not request bank account details or payment to release a check. Consumers should be wary of calls or messages from entities claiming to be the FTC that ask for money to process a refund.
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