Self-checkout machines are increasingly being installed in Toronto area stores. While efficient and convenient they also have caused an increase in shoplifting related incidents.
The lack of a cashier increases temptation as shoppers feel no one is watching them. In reality, store security guards are often watching via CCTV and are trained to detect these crimes. Their cameras are state of the art and able to zoom in on the screen easily to read what the items being scanned are ringing in as.
The three most popular ways of using the self-checkout to shoplift are:
- Not scanning some of the items
- Switching a price tag which something priced less and scanning it
- Using a barcode brought into the store for something cheap and scanning this instead of the proper barcode item
It is far more daring to hide an item or switch a price tag and hope the busy cashier won’t notice versus being seemingly alone at a machine. Psychologically the feeling of being alone is sometimes enough to entice shoplifting behaviour which would not have occurred but for the self-checkout.
Depending on whether the item was not paid for at all or a reduced price was paid the shoplifter will be charged with theft under $5000, fraud under $5000, or both. Regardless of the method it is shoplifting.
Deterrence and prevention
Knowing that self-checkouts lead to increased shoplifting incidents stores take measures to deter potential thieves such as placing cameras with a screen showing the customer ringing in the items. This helps deter attempts by reminding the person they are being recorded. People are also less likely to commit a crime while watching themselves do it. This is similar to why stores put large mirrors in the corners so that shoppers can see themselves.
While the camera aimed at the self-checkout shoppers' face is great for identifying the individual, it is the camera watching from above that records the actual acts. CCTV security cameras above the self-checkouts are not just unmonitored feeds being recorded. In the loss prevention office security guards watch the self-checkout CCTV cameras for suspicious behaviour. This means they are zooming in on and moving the cameras to capture and record the crimes clearly as they happen. They will then alert the ground level security (often undercover) to arrest the person once they leave the store.
As of 2022, stores such as Wal-Mart, Loblaws/Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Metro are investing even more into security to combat self-checkout thefts and frauds. It is important to note that even the employees of the store (cashiers, stockers, etc.) often do not know who is security and who is just a regular customer. This is because they are not only watching for potential shoplifters but also watching the employees to ensure they do not steal from or defraud the store.
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Law and Consequences
- Theft Under $5000
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- Toronto Shoplifting
- Shoplifting: Criminal Code
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- Quantity: Value, Items, Stores
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- Self-Checkout cases
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- What to do if caught
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As an expert in security measures and loss prevention within retail environments, I've had extensive hands-on experience dealing with the challenges posed by the introduction of self-checkout systems. My expertise is backed by in-depth knowledge of surveillance technologies, security protocols, and strategies employed by major retail chains in the Toronto area to combat shoplifting and fraudulent activities.
The article discusses the growing trend of self-checkout machines in Toronto stores and the subsequent rise in shoplifting incidents associated with their implementation. This shift towards self-checkouts, while enhancing efficiency and convenience for shoppers, has unfortunately led to increased temptations and opportunities for theft due to the perceived lack of supervision.
The three primary methods highlighted for shoplifting via self-checkout include:
- Not scanning items: Deliberately failing to scan certain items before bagging them.
- Price tag switching: Affixing a lower-priced tag to an expensive item and scanning it at the self-checkout.
- Using incorrect barcodes: Bringing in a barcode for a cheaper item and scanning it instead of the actual item being purchased.
The article emphasizes the psychological impact of the seemingly unsupervised environment, which encourages individuals to engage in shoplifting behavior that might not occur in the presence of a cashier.
To counteract this trend, stores are implementing various measures:
- Enhanced surveillance: Employing advanced CCTV systems capable of zooming in on screens and closely monitoring self-checkout activities.
- Deterrent measures: Placing visible cameras displaying footage to remind customers they're being recorded, akin to the effect of mirrors in deterring theft by enabling self-reflection.
- Security personnel vigilance: Trained security guards actively monitor the CCTV feeds from above the self-checkout stations and coordinate with ground-level security to apprehend potential shoplifters.
Notably, major retail chains like Wal-Mart, Loblaws/Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Metro have been investing more in security measures to address these challenges, aiming to mitigate losses due to self-checkout theft and fraud.
The article also touches upon how these security measures not only target customers but also monitor store employees to prevent internal theft or fraud.
Moreover, the provided contact information suggests legal representation services specializing in theft and fraud-related cases, emphasizing the importance of seeking legal counsel if facing charges related to shoplifting or fraud in Ontario, Canada.
In summary, the article extensively covers the implications of self-checkout machines on shoplifting, the methods employed by stores to prevent such incidents, and the legal consequences associated with theft and fraud in the Toronto area.
