How to write: Shoplifting WITH A SUSPICIOUS AMOUNT OF DETAIL
Apparently a lot of you dearly enjoyed my recent shoplifting post . . . for whatever questionable reasons that may be. So due to (a very unsuspicious and totally natural) popular demand, I'm back with a second shoplifting post, this time with just a pizazz of expertise detail.
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DISCLAIMER: OP does NOT condone any type of illegal activity whatsoever. This post is for educational and research purposes ONLY, and should NOT be used criminally.
Let's start by debunking some myths about shoplifting. I covered a few of these in my previous post, but these are some things that confuse people:
Not all security cameras are real or watched. Yes, in high-end stores, they will be both recording and watching. But in most common stores, cameras are neither recording or being consistently watched. In some (dollar stores, mom-and-pop shops, convenience stores, etc.), they are decoys and do not function.
The only cameras a shoplifter should be truly wary of are PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras, like the ones in Toy Story 3; these can be used to trace suspects. (Target incorporates these. This is why shoplifters generally avoid Target.)
The reason alarm systems go off is because of security tags. NOT printed barcodes. Printed barcodes have nothing to do with them.
Security tags are not always real. The plastic ones on clothes, shoes, etc. generally are; the sticker ones that read "Electronically Protected" generally are not.
Self-checkout is not an optimal place to steal.
It is UNADVISED / ILLEGAL to accuse a person of shoplifting without proof (defamation) and it is ILLEGAL to search, kick out, ban, or confiscate items from a customer with unproven suspicion. Stores can be sued for this.
And because many people seem to confuse this:
THEFT CRIME is crime that involves the attempt to, or the stealing of another's property. SHOPLIFTING is a non-legal term that refers to the stealing of items from a store. THEFT or LARCENY is a legal term that refers to the taking of another's property against their interest and without their consent. ROBBERY is the act of taking an item from a person, with the use or threat of violent force. BURGLARY does not have to involve theft; it is the illegal breakage and entering of a structure or dwelling with criminal intent (but often does involve theft).
Time for the juicy part. Let's jump straight to it. I'll be dividing this into two sections, to make it easier: Casual tactics and high-risk tactics.
Common casual tactics can include:
Walkout or Pushout. Walking out with or pushing out a cart containing items unpaid for.
Employee distraction. The shoplifter asks the employee to "check the back" for a sold-out or discontinued item to send them far away from the site. With two people, one person pesters employees while the other steals. Used in small stores with 1-2 employees.
Sleight of hand. As it sounds.
Receipt fraud. Carrying a false receipt for items that are being lifted, from a previous purchase of the same items.
Return fraud. Purchasing an item normally, then taking a new item from the rack and bringing it to the return counter with a receipt. Results in two of the same item for free.
Bagging. Placing multiple small items inside a "bag" (pillowcase, backpack, boxed item, clothing, blanket, etc.) then scanning for only the "bag" at checkout.
Fitting rooms. Taking clothes into fitting rooms and leaving with multiple layers of merchandise worn underneath the original attire.
Price switching. Exactly as it sounds. Can also work by placing a sale tag on a non-sale item. Works best under teamwork; one person enters first, switches tags, and the other person purchases, and claims no knowledge of the switched tags if confronted.
De-tagging. Removing of security tags. More about this on next section.
Common high-risk tactics are:
Fire alarm. Works only for teams. One person "accidentally" activates a fire alarm or opens a fire emergency exit. The rest leave with stolen items while employees are distracted by it.
Booster Bags. Using booster bags to literally just stuff as much tagged items into a bag and leave as quickly as possible.
Costuming. Dressing up as an employee, manager, delivery service, etc. and simply leaving with large amounts of items from the storage closet. Infamously effective in Apple stores (or any store with simple uniform).
Faking. The most profitable way to "steal" from a company or store―via a lawsuit. Making a convincing act of committing theft within sight of employees or LP, dumping all items inconspicuously before leaving, then suing once wrongly accused of leaving with unpaid items.
Counterfeit money. Most common are $1 and $5 bills bleached and re-printed as higher value bills. Includes use of fake checks, "fake" credit cards (mostly stolen). If the thief steals credit cards from within the store or in the parking lot via breaking into cars, the bank will not log it as suspicious activity the victim was at the location and was also likely a regular customer.
Raiding. Yes, you heard me. A bunch of people swarming into a store and raiding it. Done with a "They can't catch all of us" mentality.
De-tagging (Security tags)
If you're really dedicated, de-tagging is probably one of the most important skills to have as a shoplifter. But first, you have to understand what security tags are, and which ones you're dealing with.
Security tags are what activate the alarm systems in a store. At the counter, the cashier will use a magnet or deactivator to rid the item of tags upon purchase. This is why the alarm does not go off if you've paid for an item. Most chunky, plastic tags that you see on clothes are EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance). They consist of two metal bars placed together that are deactivated when set apart, normally via a strong magnet. The sticker tags you see on boxed items are RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). They consist of a small aluminum coil, normally under a sticker, that will transmit radio waves to the alarm system if it is not deactivated.
EAS tags can be removed with a high-power magnet, however, if you your character does not have a magnet on them, they can use pliers to gently pry the tag from the clothing.
Ink tags are EAS security tags filled with unwashable, noticeably-coloured ink (normally bright red or blue). The ink packets will explode if removed incorrectly. Ink tags are used in clothing retail stores because they will mark the thief and the item―rendering it useless. It is challenging to use pliers for ink tags, unlike plain EAS tags.
To remove an ink tag, always work with the ink facing up to avoid spillage. Isolate the tag from the rest of the clothing, wrap a rubber band in between the tag and the clothing's surface multiple times, and loosen slowly through elasticity. A strong, thin band is needed to correctly apply this method.
RFID tags are incredibly easy to deactivate. Aside from simply taking the sticker off, one can also use a tool to slash through the aluminum wire, damaging the coil. Because it works by submitting radio waves, it will not function if the circuit is broken. (But aside from this, sticker tags are often decoys, especially if the coil is not visible/printed on.)
A booster bag is a bag that is covered in thick layers of aluminum foil in order to jam the signals that security tags send to alarm system antennae. It is often covered in a paper bag, cloth, or tape and can look like a normal bag.
More misunderstood shoplifting laws and penalties:
If you are arrested for petty theft (differs by state, but generally under $500-$950), you will likely be released within a few hours.
Even illegal immigrants, much of the time, are not deported for petty theft.
If you are caught committing petty theft multiple times, you can be arrested for a felony charge―"petty theft with prior".
LP (Loss Prevention) is not allowed to chase you beyond store / mall property. But they are allowed to report your license plate to police.
You are not required to consent to a search in any capacity unless it is requested by police.
If you are perceived as a dedicated or grand lifter, LP will confront you away from the store and customers in case you turn violent.
LP, in large stores, will likely not bother you if you are stealing under $20. LPs are paid by the amount of loss they've prevented and can even be penalized for missing a grander shoplifter over an extremely minor case.
LP must be able to pinpoint exactly what item is where in order to accuse you of concealment.
Yes, shopkeepers technically have "shopkeeper's privilege" which is the right to detain you within the store under suspicion. However, this is rarely used because if they wrongfully detain you, they become liable for their false accusation.
Many LP will let you go unless you are a felon.
Basic shoplifter terminology
LP ― Loss Prevention. People employed particularly for the purpose of theft prevention.
Plainclothes LP ― LP that is disguised as a normal customer.
Mom-and-pop shop ― an individually owned store that is sustaining a family
Blind spots ― areas in a store where a person or object cannot be detected by cameras.
Tagging ― the act of placing active security tags on items by a store.
Dumping / dropping ― returning merchandise from concealment as to withdraw lift attempt.
Towers ― the alarm system.
Boosting ― slang term meaning shoplifting for the sake of reselling and/or sustaining life.
Booster Bag ― a bag meant to jam security tags and alarm systems.
The No. 1 thing on every lifter's Code of Conduct is this: DON'T STEAL FROM MOM-AND-POP SHOPS. Not only is it cruel and unnecessary to steal from them, but the owners are determined to penalize you for even the pettiest of thefts for either moral or financial reasons. To those of you who have claimed, "But I stole candy once and was confronted as a 7-year-old"―likely it was at a mom-and-pop shop.
Another rule of thumb is that you should work for the trust of employees. If the employees do not suspect you, they will not follow or watch you. Communicate with employees constantly (esp. makeup / perfume stores, where it's natural to do so). Linger around employees to exert your presence so they feel less of a need to check up on you.
I think that's about it. This was one heck of a ride.
If you have any further questions, or you want me to speculate on a specific situation, leave a comment down below. Thanks for reading this far! :)
