Common shoplifting techniques (and how they actually work)
1. “Concealment” (the classic)
What it is: Hiding items on the body, in bags, or inside other products.
How it plays out:
• Items get slipped into jackets, waistbands, or personal bags
• Sometimes placed inside other merchandise (like stuffing electronics into a box)
Red flags:
• Constant hand movement near pockets or waist
• Turning body away from open areas/cameras
• Carrying items but never heading toward checkout
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🏷️ 2. Tag switching / price manipulation
What it is: Paying less by altering price labels.
What’s really happening:
• Swapping barcodes between similar items
• Covering labels with cheaper ones
• Claiming an item rang up wrong at checkout
Red flags:
• Peeling or scratching at labels
• Spending a long time comparing packaging but not features
• Mismatched packaging vs. price
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🧾 3. Receipt fraud / return scams
What it is: Getting money or store credit for items not legitimately purchased.
How it works conceptually:
• Using old or found receipts
• Returning stolen items for store credit
• Buying something, then returning a different (cheaper) version
Red flags:
• Frequent returns without receipts
• Returning items still in-store inventory shortly after entering
• Multiple returns across different locations
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🧍♂️🧍♀️ 4. Team-based distraction theft
What it is: Coordinated groups working together.
Typical setup:
• One person distracts staff (questions, complaints, creating urgency)
• Another person takes items in a less-watched area
• A third may act as lookout
Red flags:
• People entering together but splitting up strategically
• One person demanding attention while others linger elsewhere
• Subtle communication (eye contact, signals)
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🛒 5. “Push-out” theft
What it is: Walking out with a full cart without paying.
What’s behind it:
• Relies on speed and hesitation from staff
• Often targets stores with limited security presence
Red flags:
• Large quantities of high-value items
• Moving quickly toward exits without lining up
• Ignoring staff engagement
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👕 6. Fitting room abuse
What it is: Using privacy areas to conceal or alter items.
What happens:
• Tags removed or hidden
• Items layered under clothing
• Packaging left behind
Red flags:
• Taking many items in, bringing fewer out
• Empty hangers or discarded packaging
• Spending unusual amounts of time inside
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📦 7. Packaging tampering (“box stuffing”)
What it is: Hiding expensive items inside cheaper packaging.
Concept:
• Open a box, replace contents, or add extra items
• Then purchase at the lower price
Red flags:
• Damaged or resealed packaging
• Weight inconsistencies
• Customers opening multiple boxes without reason
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🔁 8. Sweethearting (internal theft)
What it is: Employees helping someone bypass payment.
What’s going on:
• Items not scanned
• Fake discounts applied
• Letting someone pass with unpaid goods
Red flags:
• Cashier blocking view of scanner
• Skipping scans or rapid “fake” scanning motions
• Friends/family repeatedly going through same cashier
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🎯 The pattern behind all of these
Even though the methods differ, they all rely on the same core ideas:
• Distraction → dividing attention
• Concealment → hiding the act, not just the item
• Speed → reducing chance of interruption
• Confidence → acting like nothing is wrong
