Title: Shoplifting: How to Spot a Shoplifter | Lightspeed POS
Headings: Shoplifting: How to Spot a Shoplifter
Shoplifting: How to Spot a Shoplifter
What is shoplifting?
Shoplifting signs
Past offenders
Atypical customers
Oversized clothing or big bags
Groups
Other shoplifting signs
Employee theft
Inventory tracking
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How shoplifting is punished
Civil liability for shoplifting
State-by-state shoplifting laws
Loss prevention techniques
Inventory management technology
Employee training
Video surveillance
Electronic article surveillance
How to spot a shoplifter
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How shoplifting is punished
In many states, shoplifting is charged either as a theft or larceny offense—typically as petty theft or the state’s lowest-level offense if the stolen merchandise’s value is below a certain threshold. Other states differentiate between shoplifting and standard theft offenses and might treat shoplifting offenses less severely (treating it as an infraction as opposed to a misdemeanor). As an example, the state of Massachusetts treats first-time shoplifting offenders as follows: when the stolen merchandise is worth less than $100, it is only punishable by a fine of no more than $250, and jail time is not a possibility. As the value of the stolen merchandise increases, so does the severity of the resulting criminal charge in each state. Check out our list of state-by-state shoplifting laws for further clarification. Civil liability for shoplifting
On top of the criminal charges a shoplifter faces, each state has a civil law where shoplifters can be held civilly liable to the rightful owner of the merchandise for resulting damages. In the case of the offender being underage, some states hold the parent or legal guardian may liable for money damages. The cap on this monetary penalty is typically lower than if the shoplifter was an adult.