Walmart corrects fake bill mistake

ALPINE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A little more than a week after a West Michigan woman was given a fake $100 bill at a store, she has her money back.

LeAnn Ward used her Bridge Card at the Walmart store on Alpine Avenue on Sept. 16 and elected to get $100 cash back as a part of her cash assistance from the state.

Ward took the money to a nearby Menards store to make a purchase. A cashier at Menards used a counterfeit detection pen and determined the bill was fake.

Ward brought the bill back to Walmart where she was told she was out of luck because she had left the store.

After 24 Hour News 8 reported Ward's story, officials from the world's largest retail store, Walmart, took notice.

24 Hour News 8 received emails and phone calls from all across the country from people wishing to help out Ward by replacing the money she lost.

"I am just moved beyond words, it amazes me," said Ward. "I'm amazed. I really didn't expect anything like that.

"When I called you on Sunday [Sept. 16], I just wanted to get the word out to other people to be aware that this was happening. I didn't want to see anyone that was hurt like we were."

Less than a week after 24 Hour News 8's original story, Ward received a letter in the mail from the manager at the Walmart store, asking her to get in contact with him. Ward did, and the manager gave her $100 cash.

The manager told Ward the store was able to look at the surveillance cameras and see when the bill came into the store, and when the same bill was handed back to her.

Ward told 24 Hour News 8 she was touched by how many strangers from all over the country wanted to help her.

But, she doesn't want those who offered to send her money to send it to her; rather she would like them to send it to a charity in their own community.

"Food bank, homeless shelter, anything like that...women's shelter. I was at one point, I used the homeless shelters. I know what it is like to not know where your next food is coming from," said Ward.

She is also using this as an opportunity to teach her son a lesson.  

"I have a 14-year-old and I am trying to teach him how to do the right thing. And, it would mean so much more to me instead of trying to send money to me, pay it forward in your local community" said Ward.