The Banana Trick and Other Acts of Self-Checkout Thievery

3. The Switcheroo

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Peel the sticker off of something inexpensive and place it over the barcode of a more expensive item [2].

Just how much money is this costing stores?

Woman pushing a cart and checking a grocery receipt, grocery shopping and expenses concept — Source: Shutterstock

In 2015, criminologists at the University of Leicester audited one million self-checkout transactions over the course of one year. Sales totaled 21 million dollars. Nearly 850 thousand dollars worth of goods were never paid for [2].

Why are People Stealing?

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According to the Leicester researchers, ease of theft is one of the most common reasons. People who would not ordinarily steal are now more likely to do it simply because they can. “People who traditionally don’t intend to steal [might realize that] … when I buy 20, I can get five for free,” the authors explained [2]. In other words, many of these people aren’t entering the store with the intent to steal. When they get to the checkout, however, they realize they can- so they do. The consequences of retail theft have also gone down. For example, in Dallas, Texas, the police department decided they would no longer routinely respond to retail theft under fifty dollars. In 2015 they raised that number to one hundred.

Morals Matter

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Another reason why someone might be more inclined to steal from an automated self-checkout machine is because of a difference in morality. Barbara Staib is the director of communications of the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention. She believes that self-check-outs allow people who are already predisposed to stealing to rationalize their actions. This tempts them to shoplift more. “[The machines give] the false impression of anonymity,” she says. “This apparently empowers people to shoplift.” [2] Many people wouldn’t steal from a human being, but stealing from a machine doesn’t really feel like a crime.

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The Banana Trick and Other Acts of Self-Checkout Thievery

3. The Switcheroo

Just how much money is this costing stores?

HE POISONED DINNER FOR YOU AND YOUR 9-YEAR-OLD SON—THEN CAME BACK WITH HIS LOVER TO MAKE SURE YOU BOTH WERE DEAD

My father sold the house I inherited, saying I didn’t need it. My sister joked she needed a vacation instead. Two weeks later, my lawyer answered with 24 hours or court.

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3. The Switcheroo

Just how much money is this costing stores?

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HE POISONED DINNER FOR YOU AND YOUR 9-YEAR-OLD SON—THEN CAME BACK WITH HIS LOVER TO MAKE SURE YOU BOTH WERE DEAD

My father sold the house I inherited, saying I didn’t need it. My sister joked she needed a vacation instead. Two weeks later, my lawyer answered with 24 hours or court.

Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply