Can Walmart Check Your Receipts? (know your rights)
You can shop Walmart’s huge selection of low-price items both in-store and online. However, when shopping at a brick-and-mortar Walmart store, you may be asked to show your receipt before leaving.
So, does the law allow Walmart to check your receipts? That’s everything you need to know!
Can Walmart Check Your Receipts?
Walmart associates can ask to see your receipt before you leave, but you have the right to refuse to show it. Additionally, under the “storekeeper’s privilege” law, Walmart associates can force you to show your receipt or even detain you in the store if they suspect you of shoplifting.
So what exactly are your rights when a Walmart employee asks to check your receipt? Read on to find out!
Does checking a receipt at Walmart mean they suspect me of shoplifting?
Walmart employees check customers’ receipts to catch and deter shoplifters.
And, according to a Walmart spokesperson, they intend to check each customer’s receipt before they leave the store.
So if you’re asked for a receipt, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re involved in shoplifting.
Receipt checks are entirely voluntary, and under the Shopkeeper Privilege Act, Walmart associates can only take further action if they have probable reason to believe you’ve shoplifted.
Stores like Costco have different rules, and you must show your receipt to become a member.
Can Walmart scan my receipt?
Sometimes, Walmart associates will also ask to scan your receipt. This is usually only needed if you turn off the sensor at the door as you leave the store.
Again, though, just because a Walmart employee asks to scan your receipt doesn’t mean you’re involved in theft.
Usually, this is just to make sure the cashier calling you didn’t forget to scan the item.
Ultimately, Walmart just wants to make sure everything is paid for. However, not all Walmart stores will scan your receipt.
What happens if you lose your receipt before you leave Walmart?
If you lose your receipt before you leave Walmart, don’t worry! Once you realize you’ve lost it, you can use your payment card to retrieve proof of payment.
With Walmart’s online receipt lookup tool, you can get a digital copy of your receipt and show it to a Walmart associate! All you have to do is enter where to buy and purchase details.
You can also go back to the employee who served you and ask them to verify that you paid for the product.
Can Walmart keep you from leaving the store?
Since receipt checks are voluntary, Walmart will not be able to take any further action if you refuse to show the employee the receipt.
However, if they reasonably suspect you of shoplifting, you may be detained in the store under shopkeeper privilege laws.
Which categories fall under “reasonable suspicion” varies from state to state. Generally, though, this will be determined based on observation of merchandise being held, statements from customers or employees, or surveillance footage.
Without this suspicion, co-workers will not block your way or attempt to physically detain you while you are away.
Why is Walmart checking receipts now?
Walmart didn’t always check receipts as regularly as it does now.
One reason for the shift is an intensified crackdown on theft, which accounted for $3 billion in corporate losses in 2015. That’s 1% of Walmart’s total revenue.
Another is the recently introduced self-checkout machines in Walmart stores.
Use a self-checkout machine to easily remove items from your basket without scanning.
As a result, more employees are likely to be stationed at exit doors to check that each shopper’s receipt matches the product in their bag. That’s certainly the case at Walmart’s Canadian stores.
To learn more, you can check out our related guides on Walmart’s most commonly stolen products, how long Walmart keeps security footage, and Walmart door alarm settings.
in conclusion
Walmart can ask to check your receipt when you leave the store. In fact, they often do so due to significant loss of income from theft.
However, you are under no obligation to produce a receipt, and Walmart associates cannot take any further action if you refuse to produce a receipt.
The only exception is if a colleague has reason to suspect that you have stolen one or more items from the store. If they do have reasonable suspicion, you may be detained.
