Woman's Emotional Viral Video About Walmart Encounter May Be Hoax
PUEBLO, Colo. (CBS4) - A woman's emotional video about the importance of being kind has gone viral. Thousands have viewed and shared her message on Facebook and YouTube, only to learn it may actually be a lie.
Paige Yore posted the video message on Friday about an encounter she says took place in the checkout line of a Pueblo Walmart.
"We just have to be thankful to be alive and treat other people like you want to be treated," Yore said.
She claims the woman in front of her was badgering a young cashier who then opened up to Yore about his life.
"Ma'am, my mom just committed suicide and I have to work, I have to pay our bills. I don't have a mom anymore," Yore explains in her video message.
A Walmart spokesperson said they met with the associate and learned his mother is alive and in good health.
The representative said surveillance video shows Yore in line and that some sort of trouble occurs with the woman checking out in front of her, but it's due to a language barrier.
The company claims the clerk cleared it up and the customer went on her way. They say there was never any contact between Yore and the employee.
"This young kid just stops in his tracks behind the counter and just starts crying and he comes around the bagging area and he just hugs me," Yore said in her viral video.
Yore posted an update about her video, saying she reached out to the company's corporate office in an effort to track the young man down.
The Walmart spokesperson says there's no evidence of that happening either.
Phone calls and email sent to Yore by CBS4 went unanswered Monday night.
KKTV in Colorado Springs did speak with her over the phone, and she stood by her story but offered no explanation as to why Walmart would disagree.
Karen Morfitt Joined the CBS4 team as a reporter in 2013. She covers a variety of stories in and around metro Denver. Follow her on Twitter @karenmorfitt or email her tips.
