India, Oct. 28 -- A rumor has gone viral that retail giant Walmart is set to close all its in-person stores starting on November 1 in the US, as the SNAP benefits run out due to the ongoing government shutdown. The rumor is wildly viral on social media, with videos talking about Walmart shifting to an online-only mode amid the shutdown.

However, the claims are false, as Walmart has not announced any closure of its physical stores, and certainly not due to the lapse of SNAP benefits. The rumor originated from rumors saying recipients of electronic benefits transfer (EBT), in which SNAP falls, are planning to loot stores in the event the EBT transfer stops due to the government shutdown.

The rumor that Walmart is closing all physical stor...