People are used to getting refunds when they return items. However, sometimes stores will send out refunds when you haven’t actually returned anything.
This happened with a string of Walmart refunds back in 2017. There are a few reasons this might happen.
Walmart Refunded Me Without Return
The first and most common reason Walmart might refund you without a return is that you overpaid for one of their products. Customers will overpay due to employee errors, fluctuating prices, or technological problems.
Walmart refunds these overpayments as a gesture of good will toward their customers. Although some police departments have erroneously warned people that these refunds may be a scam, Walmart has clarified that the checks are legitimate.
Keep reading to find details on refunding without returns from Walmart, as well as further information on unexpected Walmart refunds.
Can I Get a Refund From Walmart Without Returning The Item?
If you have lost or misplaced a product, then you are probably out of luck when it comes to returns. Even though Walmart is lenient enough to process returns even without receipts, they will generally not issue refunds when no item is returned at all.
You cannot get a refund from Walmart without returning the item. Returns at Walmart require that you return the item within 90 days with a receipt and the original packaging.
You can, however, return an item for refund without proof-of-purchase. For this, you will be required to show a government-issued photo ID used for tracking the return. The ID will be scanned and stored as a special ID-number (none of your personal information is recorded) and tracked with a national database to prevent returns fraud.
Read: Does Walmart Take PayPal?
Why Did Walmart Send Me A Refund?
Walmart has sometimes issued refunds to customers that did not return any items. This rarely happens as a mistake, and is usually the result of a customer overpaying for services at the pharmacy, vision center, or care clinic.
Walmart sends refunds to customers who overpay for services in their stores. Overpayment happens due to employee error or technical difficulties, but Walmart will typically issue a refund for the overpayment.
These refunds are often received in the mail in the form of a check.
Read: How Long Does Walmart Refund Take?
Walmart Refunded Me By Mistake
Sometimes, accidental refunds do happen. Although rare, there are occasional reports of this happening to customers online. Sometimes, returns are issued in the form of store credit, and then the full dollar refund is issued later by mistake.
When this happens, you have no obligation to correct the mispayment. Walmart is responsible for the payments they issue, and there is nothing in their terms and conditions about receiving erroneous refunds.
Read: Can You Return Makeup To Walmart?
Conclusion..
Receiving a refund for something you didn’t return can be a confusing experience, and it has happened to Walmart customers for a variety of reasons over the years.
The most common reason you may receive a refund from Walmart when you didn’t return anything is that they are refunding overpayment for one of their in-store services (such as the pharmacy or vision center).
Refunds are also issued by mistake from time to time, and customers have no obligation to return the erroneously refunded money.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask away in the comments section