Walmart Shopper Warns 'Check Your Receipts!' After Getting Charged $25 for an Item She Didn't Buy

A recent checkout issue at a Walmart store has sparked widespread concern after a shopper was charged for an item she did not buy.

The incident, which involved a £18.71 ($25.68) charge for an emoji-themed bed sheet, has prompted warnings for customers to double-check their receipts before leaving the store.

Customer Discovers Overcharge at Self-Checkout

The overcharge took place at a Walmart Supercenter in Marksville, Louisiana. According to The Daily Mail, the customer noticed the charge on her receipt and questioned a staff member, who confirmed she had not purchased the item. The worker reversed the charge and reportedly said, 'These machines do crazy things.'

The shopper later shared the experience online, encouraging others to check their receipts to avoid unexpected charges.

Multiple Shoppers Report Similar Checkout Errors

After the post circulated online, other customers shared comparable experiences involving inaccurate charges. One shopper found a £18.95 ($26) charge for a '20×30' item they had never picked up, while another noticed a £10.55 ($14.48) 'voided entry' listed on their receipt without context.

The Sun reported that some shoppers who experienced similar problems had to contact customer service or return to the store to resolve the issue. The reported errors were often discovered at self-checkout kiosks, where customers later raised the issue with available staff.

Previous Incidents Highlight Checkout Concerns

Walmart has previously faced scrutiny over billing practices at self-checkout. In March 2024, a reported system glitch affected more than 1,600 stores, leading to widespread pricing discrepancies at the tills.

In a separate matter, the retailer agreed to a £32.8 million ($45 million) class-action settlement in Florida. The case involved claims of overcharging on weight-based goods such as meat and produce. Although Walmart did not admit to any wrongdoing, affected customers were given the opportunity to apply for refunds.

Shoppers Advised to Monitor Receipts Closely

Retail and consumer protection experts have advised shoppers to review their receipts carefully, particularly when using self-checkout systems. According to reports and online discussions, pricing discrepancies are sometimes not immediately noticed at the point of sale.

In several reported cases, shoppers stated they received full refunds after bringing the issue to the attention of store staff. Customers on forums and social media platforms have described small, unexplained charges that were later corrected.

How to Avoid Overcharges at Self-Checkout

To help prevent overcharges, shoppers can follow these steps:

• Check that item labels match shelf prices
• Ensure products are not misplaced on shelves with incorrect pricing
• At self-checkout, compare scanned prices with what was displayed on the sales floor
• For weighted items, make sure the scale is set to zero and not touching any other surface
• Verify that the weight display is visible
• After payment, compare the total with the expected shelf prices

These precautions can help detect pricing errors before leaving the store.