- Make sure you see the person take the item. …
- Confront the shoplifter. …
- Ask the shoplifter to accompany you back to the store office. …
- Balance the risks. …
- Use reasonable force to detain the shoplifter. …
- Call the police.
What do you do if you see a customer stealing?
Swing by your local police station so you can talk to a law enforcement professional about what you should do if you find yourself dealing with a
shoplifter
. You may also want to take this opportunity to get their contact information, so you know who to call if you find a shoplifter in your store.
What to do if you see a customer stealing at work?
- Make sure your evidence is strong. …
- You will probably want to terminate the employee immediately. …
- Notify the police. …
- Don’t deduct anything from the employee’s final paycheck. …
- Don’t discuss the situation with other employees or outsiders.
What can I do if someone is stealing from my business?
- It may be the only way to get restitution.
- Your other employees need to know you take stealing seriously. …
- If you have insurance to make a claim against, or plan to try to hold another party such as a bank responsible, you will need to press charges.
How do you stop a customer from stealing?
- Keep your store organized and tidy.
- Know common shoplifting tactics.
- Optimize your store’s layout.
- Install security cameras.
- Add mirrors to your store.
- Use customer service as prevention.
- Use signage to deter thieves.
- Train your employees.
Do stores track down shoplifters?
Many retailers, especially large department and grocery stores,
use video surveillance
. … Some stores even have facial recognition software so they can easily identify people from the surveillance videos. Many locally-owned stores use social media to track down shoplifters.
What is the punishment for shoplifting?
The maximum penalty for shoplifting (“theft”) depends on the value of the goods that were stolen: if their value is under $500, the maximum penalty is
three months’ jail
.
if
it’s between $500 and $1,000, the maximum is one year’s jail. if it’s more than $1,000, the maximum is seven years’ jail.
Can a store employee physically detain a shoplifter?
Though these laws vary, store owners and their employees generally are
allowed to detain an individual when they have probable cause to suspect shoplifting
. Most states require that the store or its employees have evidence which would lead a reasonable person to believe that shoplifting had occurred or was in progress.
How do I tell my boss I steal?
Get to the point in communication with your employer
. Tell her that you saw your coworker stealing money from a purse at work, or whatever exact instance you saw. Don’t speculate, and don’t ramble and chat about things that aren’t directly related to the pressing topic – your coworker’s illicit theft from your company.
How do you identify shoplifters?
- Wearing large coats or baggy clothes.
- Avoiding eye contact.
- Watching the staff, not the merchandise.
- Seeking shelter in dressing rooms to stash smuggled merchandise.
- Lurking in corners.
- Taking advantage of stores during peak hours.
How can an employer prove theft?
While an employer ordinarily bears no burden of proof at trial, the jury will look for the employer to prove an accusation of
theft beyond a reasonable doubt
. … Juries demand that employers follow written procedures; failure to do so can also serve as evidence of pretext used to defeat summary judgment.
Does embezzlement have to be reported?
Reporting embezzlement to the IRS is
required for both nonprofit organizations and for-profit corporations
. The amount of money embezzled is considered taxable income of the employee. … Report the embezzled funds as a loss on your company’s own tax returns.
What happens if you steal money from work?
The company you stole from
could charge you with gross misconduct and fire you immediately
. Or you could face suspension, without pay, while the company conducts an investigation, in which case you could still be terminated or face a major demotion or transfer. And yeah — you may also face criminal charges as well.
Why is shoplifting a serious crime?
Shoplifting is a fairly common crime. … In reality, the penalties for shoplifting can be serious. Being convicted for this offense can
lead to fines, probation, restitution payments and being banned from certain properties
. Repeated offenses or shoplifting high-value items can even lead to time behind bars.
Is shoplifting a crime?
Shoplifting is one of the most common
theft crimes
in the United States today. Depending on the value of the property stolen – it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony offense. Shoplifting is a type of theft crime where people steal from retail establishments.
What is a professional shoplifter?
The professional shoplifter dresses, talks and acts so he doesn’t attract attention or arouse suspicion. He is usually interested in a small, high-value items for which there is an easy resale market. … Generally
the professional steals for a living
.