July 18 2007: Shoplifting 101
Filed under Money
Needless to say, I don’t condone shoplifting. It is a criminal offense, yadda yadda. Don’t do it. Everytime you shoplift, a kitten dies.
The following is just an interesting study into how the anti-theft practices put in place by many clothing/accessories retail outlets are inadequate, and how easily a cunning shoplifter can get around them.
So how do most stores protect against theft?
- The use of barcodes and security censors at the door
- Plastic security tags attached to an item of clothing – the type that you need a specialised machine to remove
- Sales assistants checking items of clothing before you enter a changing room
All three of the above are easily circumvented by someone who really wants to shoplift, either individually, or as a team.
If the store in question relies only on barcodes and security censors, then their anti-theft measures are really quite pathetic. Most barcodes are available as stickers on price tags, or alternatively, as packaging on a box. So what can you do? Either just rip the barcode off the price tag, or take the item out of the box, and tadah, you’ve got yourself an item that won’t set the alarms off when you leave the store!
Alternatively, if you just place another sticker (e.g. a plain name label) over the barcode, it’ll stop the barcode from responding to the sensors. It’s true, it works at Target!
The plastic security tags are a bit harder to get around. You have to keep in mind though: people make mistakes. Shop assistants are bound to overlook one in ten items – there will be items without the plastic security tag attached. In those cases, it’s merely a matter of slipping the item off the hanger, checking for other barcodes or security measures…and then slipping it into your bag. Alternatively, if the changing rooms are unattended, take a few items in and then put the item on underneath your normal clothes. If you don’t set off the alarms, how are they to know?
The other method of getting rid of the plastic security tags requires two people. Choose the item you want, and the first person takes it to the counter. After the sales assistant removes the tag, and scans the item, kick up a fuss about the price. “Oh, it’s $60? I thought it was $30! I don’t think I’ll take it anymore thanks”.
Eight of ten times, the shop assistant will simply place the item on a “to be returned to shop” pile. The second person (accomplice if you like!) can then ask to try on the item as they couldn’t find that size on the racks. Taking it into the change rooms…well, that’s an untagged item right there. You know what to do.
Lastly, many stores have monitored changing rooms, where a sales assistant will keep an eye on how many items you take in. Note though – some people simply ask you how many items you have, they don’t actually check the items. That’s an opportunity right there.
Otherwise, they’ll count the number of hangers you’re holding. Why does that matter? Because number of hangers doesn’t automatically equate to the number of items. What a shoplifter could do, is place two items on the one hanger, one on top of another (e.g. before they enter the changerooms, place a T-shirt on a hanger, and then a jumper over that. Looks like one item, but it’s two!). From there, it’s simply a matter of choosing an item to a) put on under your own clothes, or b) shove in an inner pocket in your bag.
As you can see, there’s a number of ways to get around anti-theft measures at clothing stores. Note that the above methods probably work best in larger department stores – the larger the store, the more the stock, the easier it is for the store assistants to lose track of it.
So take heed department stores! Improve your security measures – understand that it’s incredibly easy for a dedicated shoplifter to steal from you.
ADDENDUM ADDED 27TH JULY 2007: I’ve realised that certain stores and brands are now trying to protect against theft by placing a barcode not only on the tag itself, but also on the care instructions tag that usually is sewn into the inside left seam. In these cases, rather than trying to bare-handedly rip out the care instructions tag (you might damage the item), take a small pair of nail scissors shopping with you. All you need to do is snip off the tag, as well as take care of any other protective measures the item may have (plastic tags, etc.), and then slip it into your bag.
Dedicated to Jennii.
20 Responses to “Shoplifting 101”
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Haha! You sound like you know what you’re doing, whether it has been eight years or not.
Have you buffed up the security at your store? Or are pregnant mothers-to-be less likely to steal?
Skye on July 18 2007 #
Why, Amanda, you sound so … experienced! ;) If I didn’t know, I would have thought you’re a …
(joking!)
I’m touched you dedicated this post for me. LONG LIVE Winona Ryder! The ultimate shoplifter, who failed, har har.
Jennii on July 18 2007 #
You’re a great role model Amanda. :P I would be too nervous to do any of this, though.
Josh on July 18 2007 #
Ahh yes, the art of shoplifting. I’m near to pro at this, but not as pro as you I guess. Hahah.
Also sometimes, in the censor machines, there could be one which is turned off. Just take what you want and run with it!
Juice on July 18 2007 #
yeah, if someone wants an article of clothing/whatever badly enough, they’ll find a way to take it. It’s not rocket science.
Jennifer on July 18 2007 #
Wow.
You astound me, Amanda.
Meli on July 18 2007 #
haha! I always set off the alarms – and I pay for my stuff! Someone always forgets to take the plastic thing off or there’s a hidden tag that sets it off.
marilyn on July 18 2007 #
Thanks for the tips. ;)
…
I kid! I kid!
Aravis on July 18 2007 #
I don’t think I’ve encountered a piece of clothing that’s missing the plastic security tag. (Granted, I don’t shop for clothing that much, but still.) However, I always seem to run into cashiers who forget to take the plastic security tag off. It’s really embarrassing.
I can’t believe shoplifting can really be this easy…
Kycoo on July 18 2007 #
Last month I kept on setting off those alarms simply by walking into a shop… At first I thought an assistant must have forgotten to remove a tag from something I’d just bought but then it happened the next day at the supermarket too. And the next day and the next. It seems to have stopped now but I never found out what was causing it.
9 times out of 10 though, nobody battled an eyelid when the machines went off. Each time I just turned round looking bewildered and sometimes I’d throw a bemused look at the security guard and that was that.
Ruth on July 18 2007 #
*batted
Ruth on July 18 2007 #
Some people don’t care if there is a tiny hole where the plastic tag was attached. I have heard about people bringing a little scissor to cut off the tag or bring a little piece of tinfoil to wrap around the tag for blockage. Shoplifting around here is so easy and the shop owners are naive…
Nan on July 18 2007 #
What a wonderful guide :-) There’s this dress I really like but don’t have the money to buy. Tomorrow’s seems like it’s going to be a fruitful day :-P
Kat on July 18 2007 #
You know Cotton On? A guy I know has a habit of stealing from them not because he likes the clothes; just because it’s easy to do it. He walks in, wears them underneath his clothes, walks out. Rolls up shirts and sticks them in his drink bottle, takes up to five items at a time.
…not that I condone that either. But it’s pretty bloody stupid of them to make it that easy.
Just lifting the stolen goods above the detectors works aswell… But to get the things off at home you need a really strong magnet.
But anyway, I’ve only ever stolen food (you know, for my starving family)
Paddy on July 18 2007 #
Amanda, why do you put such ideas into my young innocent mind?
Also, don’t forget that if you want to take a small item (scarf, necklace) into the changing room, you can just put it in your pocket/under your top and away yoiu go! :)
Anastasia on July 19 2007 #
haha this was an interesting post, my friend. :P but you’re right about shoplifting – stores make it too easy these days. a lot of people can easily shop lift right under their nose. some guy stole like 5 game systems from Best Buy a few months ago. :l
Chelsea on July 19 2007 #
I shop a lot. Sometimes I try a lot of clothes at HM (not my favourite store) and I found out that they forget to put on the plastic thing (the one that if you try to take off, it will release painting on the garment). I could’ve stolen lots of clothes without problems. But some years ago, somebody told me that if you steal, then you’ll lose something you really like. Like your bike, car, mobile, etc….who knows?
I just think it’s wrong, without trying to be a moralist, which I’m not. I think it is more satisfying to work for money and use it on whatever I like.
Constance on July 19 2007 #
Whenever we buy things from HMV they never take off the security alarm. They never bat an eyelid when the store alarms beep. So my boyfriend said we should like sneak a couple of dvds into a bag and they wouldn’t notice.
Louise on April 1 2008 #
I’ve tried all these except for that ‘changing your mind about the item’ thing.
Thanks hahah ;]
Amy Huang on May 20 2009 #
Thiss is ALL exactlyy what I do; Shoptlifting IS bad, but wth, some people need todo it.
-One thing to remember is dont go into the store TOO much; Cause they’ll raise suspicion. Also, some stores have workers that dress like normal shoppers walking around watching peoplee, It happened to me in target ; So be alert peoplee. GoodLucck. xD
Diamond on August 14 2009 #