A LAWYER has laid out the multi-step process that he claims police use to identify people who have not paid for all their items at self-checkout.
In a video posted by @sparkslawfirm, a lawyer walked followers through the multiple avenues police might use to obtain identification on a person who has stolen.
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The advice comes as more stores tighten up their policies on self-checkout amid rising reports of theft.
“As someone who represents individuals charged with violating the law, here is what I have personally seen with how the police get that name,” he began.
According to the lawyer, the most popular method cops use to track shoplifters is by their credit card information.
“The most popular is a credit card is used, they have the name, they have the face on camera, they go back in their records and they find that name,” he explained in the video.
The expert explains that there isn’t great news for people attempting to keep their identities sealed using cash, either.
“Let’s say someone uses cash, so there’s no name attached to it, but they have a camera or video footage.”
In that case, officers use camera footage to watch the person leave the store and enter the parking lot.
“They go to the outside cameras and find out which car they get into and get a license plate off that camera and run it through the DMV, get a name, pull that driver’s license picture, and match it to the footage on the camera,” he explained.
The lawyer added that shoplifting occurs with products of all prices, from small, dollar amounts to multiple thousands of dollars in value.
“So remember, when you use that checkout lane, be careful and focused and pay attention,” he warned.
Some people cracked jokes about the ‘accidents’ that might happen at self-checkout.
“I am not trained in scanning so if I miss something it’s not my fault,” one person commented.
Other people had their own theories about checkout errors.
“I don’t use them ever because humans error as do computers. Perhaps the computer doesn’t actually scan it and you don’t notice. It’s a set up I think,” another social-media user suggested.
A handful of TikTokers argued that stores should bring back more employees to avoid mistakes.
“They should have more darn cashiers!!!!” a frustrated shopper complained.
The controversy around self-checkout is now new, as more stores continue to navigate the new technology and mitigate potential theft.
