On Jan. 13th 2010 I received a call from my 84 year old mother at my home saying my bank had called and said my checking account had been compromised. I rushed to my bank leaving work. I was informed that the banks fraud department had a few other instances of check fraud and that the one thing the victims had in common was that they wrote checks at the Walmart in Crestwood, IL.
I told my bank that the only checks I wrote were to pay bills and to Walmart in Crestwood as well. I went home found my receipts for the checks I wrote to Walmart dating all the way to June of 09 with the last check being written there on Dec. 23,09.
I called the Walmart and the manager James McAlpine said he had no knowledge of any fraud occurring by his employees at his store. I gave him my receipt info which told what tellers checked me out. Someone else from the store then called me back and said they were checking into it but it was circumstantial at best.
I called Crestwood police who told me they had gotten other complaints re: that particular store but that I needed to file a report with the police where I lived, which I then went and did.
I called the Crestwood store the next day, the 14th, demanding to have my bank reimbursed as well as myself for the time off work needed to straighten this whole mess out. I went back to the bank on the 14th as well, to sign affidavits and was told that an 88 year old woman on social security, just had the same thing happen to her. She wrote a check to Walmart in Crestwood as well.
I called Wallmart again on the 14th and told them I would go to the media. I immediately received a call back from the head of the southside stores, Chris at 815 730-9170. He told me they were aware of what was going on but that the Secret Service was involved as this was a 4 state operation and if I went to the media the people involved who pack there bags and go some where else and they would not get the ones making the checks. That day I also received a call from Dave Prendergast from the Secret Sevice Chicago field office 312 353-5431 who basically told me the same thing but added that I should not be so upset as the banks were the ones who were really losing money. He also states that he was in the store on Dec 23rd and was aware of the employee performing the act. I was also told that I was the 40th victim! I was told that soon the media would be informed as to what went on at that store.
I called Walmart head branch 1800 Walmart, with my complaint as well and was told I wold here from someone in 3 to 5 business days.
I received a call from my bank on the 15th saying my account was in overdraft and could I deposit more money. I started to cry and scream about how I had no other money and that Walmart should be putting the money back as they were the ones allowing this to continue in the name of a greater good. I told my bank what I was told re: the fraud by the Secret Service as well. I called the Walmart headquarters again on the 15th and told them I needed to speak with someone now. I was told the same thing 3 to 5 business days. I called Dave at the Secret Service and complained that he needed to let the banks know what was going on. I have not heard from him since.
Since that time my accounts remain in a mess and on Friday the 23rd I called Walmart again and told them I had not received a call yet and it was over 5 business days, I was told that now my complaint would be given to the next person up and he would call me in 3 to 5 business days!
So here I wait... Walmart's slogan, Save money, Live Better should instead be: Walmart Employees will take your money so your life becomes a living HELL!
Does Walmart care... Come on what do you think!!!
Cmm
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