SPOTTING a shoplifter in the act may be easier than you think, as one Five Below employee has revealed some of the tell-tale signs someone is stealing.
One retail worker has claimed shoplifters often use the same tactics, making them easy to spot in a store.
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Retail worker and TikToker Crystal (@cruiseforkarma) recently made the warning in a video uploaded to the popular social media platform.
Crystal, who works at the discount store Five Below according to other videos posted on her profile, started out claiming that all “shoplifters are pretty much the same.”
She went on to explain that most thieves attempt to take items by filling their bags at first.
But, the tactics begin to change when the criminals “feel that you’re being watched.”
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Instead of ditching the items, Crystal claimed the potential shoplifters still approach the cash register, appearing to get ready to pay for the products.
However, she claimed the individuals know “that you have no money.”
She alleged that criminals waste their own and employees’ time to scan anywhere from $100-200 worth of items.
When it comes time to pay, she said they will often pull out several cards to use – but none of which work.
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“You got all these cards and they’re not working. ‘Oh do you take this? Do you take that?’” She said of the shoplifters.
“Yea, we take it, it’s getting declined.”
Even if the employees enter the card’s information manually, she said the card typically will not go through.
The next stall tactics she alleged shoplifters will use is claiming they put “blocks” on all their cards.
However, Crystal brushed off the claim, saying many of the cards individuals use at her store are prepaid cards.
Then, she alleged that the individuals will claim they don’t have their phone to remove the blocks – even if she watched the person use a cell-phone earlier during the exchange.
“So you’re gonna go out to your car to get some money and you never return,” Crystal said.
“Figures.”
She did not explain if many shoplifters attempt to take more items when they visit their car to find the money to pay.
Five Below did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
Retail theft has been running rampant across the United States for months.
In August, 2023, Five Below announced that the company’s shares fell around 6% due to increased theft at its stores.
“You’re all familiar with the recent media and videos that are out there where retailers across the sector are experiencing increased levels of shrink and related crime incidents,” Five Below COO Ken Bull, said at the time.
“And we are not immune to this as we’re finding out.”
As a result, major retailers have been forced to increase security measures to protect their goods, such as using high tech security cameras and locking up items.
Some have resorted to closing locations across the country due to the losses.
While retailers have defended the security measures, many shoppers have repeatedly complained about the policies, claiming they ruin the customer experience.
https://www.the-sun.com/news/10361420/five-below-employee-shoplifters-same-tactics/