Techniques Shoplifters Use

Bags: Large, open pocketbooks; book bags; empty or partially filled bags from other stores; used bags from your store- any type of bag can be used to drop items in, especially small, more expensive items.

Be especially aware of people who bring partially filled merchandise bags in from a store that is not located near your business. Most people do not carry their purchases into another store if they have a chance to leave them in a vehicle. Ask anyone who brings a bag into your store to check it with you while they shop. Legitimate customers will be grateful for the convenience of not having to lug the bag around as they shop.

Keep an eye on people who enter a store with an open purse or book bag, especially if they seem to be not shopping for anything in particular, wandering around aimlessly but refusing help from employees. Be aware if the open bag is suddenly closed, especially if the subject just emerged from a blind spot.

Items can be placed inside packages or pockets of merchandise that will be purchased. Notice if an item seems unusually heavy or light, or if the packaging is bulging or the item inside seems to be too small for the packaging. If the package has been opened, have employees briefly look inside to make sure the correct item is inside. Shoplifters will put more expensive items in packages for items with lower values.

Newspapers and umbrellas can be used to conceal small items. Take note of the weather and how the person carries an umbrella. A legitimate customer carrying an umbrella on a rainy day will not hold the wet umbrella close to their body. A shoplifter will hold it close to prevent the umbrella from opening too far and revealing the concealed items. Someone who has concealed items inside an umbrella will not open it even if it is raining when they exit the store. Newspapers that are folded and held tight to the body or grasped tightly may be concealing an item.

Baggy clothing such as pants with large cargo pockets that seem full, large sweatshirts that can conceal merchandise tucked into the waistband, heavy coats on warm days will all be used by shoplifters. Some shoplifters cut slits in the linings of their jackets or add pockets to conceal merchandise. Others cut slits in the pockets of their jackets and reach for products from inside their jacket without removing their hand from their pockets.

Some women use large skirts to conceal items between their legs and just walk out of the store.

Groups of shoplifters may enter a store together and split up into various directions so employees can not watch all of them. This is especially true in smaller stores with fewer employees, late at night when there are fewer employees working, and Sunday nights when there are generally fewer employees. One member of a pair of shoplifters may distract an employee, asking a lot of questions or asking for something in the back room while his or her accomplice takes what they want. Often the person who was asking for a particular item will not purchase it once you have shown or retrieved it for them. The partner may have left the store while you were busy, without purchasing anything.

Some more brazen shoplifters will pick up a large item that can not be bagged and just walk out with it. To prevent this, require employees to place “Paid” stickers or other brightly colored stickers in a conspicuous place so legitimate customers are not hassled and shoplifters are more easily detected. Another way to prevent this is to have an employee check for a receipt as an item leaves the store without a bag. Also, make it a policy that customers do not carry large items out of the store on their own. Have an employee accompany them out of the store to their vehicle. This will draw attention to anyone who is walking out without having paid.

Equally brazen shoplifters will grab garments hanging near the entrance and run off. This can be prevented by alternating hanger directions, making them lock up when they are grabbed simultaneously.

Another tool shoplifters use is a baby stroller. Carefully watch people who are holding a baby who is not fussing, while still pushing the stroller. Blankets, toys and even the baby can be used to conceal merchandise. False bottoms have even been added to strollers