Loss Prevention Agents Want Shoplifters to Know 10 Things (2024)

Loss Prevention Agents are a surprise to shoplifters when caught.

  • Shoplifters feel that their theft was undetected.
  • Shoplifters thought they were careful not to be spotted.
  • Shoplifters saw no one following before exiting a store.
  • Shoplifters are shocked when loss prevention agents detain them.

Loss Prevention Agents Want Shoplifters to Know 10 Things (1)

Shoplifters are Monitored by Video Surveillance

Podcast Time Stamps:

[00:39] – Shoplifters are surprised when caught.
[00:55] – The high cost of shoplifting.
[03:00] – Loss Prevention Agents Focus on Shoplifting.
[03:30] – Loss Prevention Agents have Special Training.
[03:56] – LP Agents Know their Store Inventory.
[04:45] – LP Agents Study Shopper Behavior.
[06:00] – Loss Prevention Agents Practice Profiling.
[07:15] – Loss Prevention Agents use Technology.
[08:30] – Loss Prevention Work as a Team.
[09:30] – Loss Prevention Train to Detain & Arrest.
[10:40] – Loss Prevention Agents Document the Crime.
[11:25] – Loss Prevention Agents Facilitate Prosecution
[12:48] – Footnote: 27th Annual Retail Theft Survey.

10 Things Retail Store LP Agents Want Shoplifters to Know.

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Retail stores do not want to be in the business of apprehending shoplifters. It is an unfortunate business reality and retailers have now declared war on shoplifting by dispatching an army of loss-prevention agents to combat theft of inventory and fraud losses.

  • Shoplifting losses are a staggering $15 billion dollars every year.
  • Shoplifting costs millions in LP Agent payroll and equipment.
  • Shoplifting is a profit killer that must be controlled.
  • Shoplifting is a major factor in retail store failure.
  • Shoplifting causes the prices of all items to rise.
  • Shoplifting losses contribute to lost jobs.

10 Things Loss Prevention Agents Want Shoplifters to Know:

01 – Retail store Loss Prevention Focus on Shoplifters

Their primary job function is to prevent retail inventory loss. So they are focused on you and will detect, deter, or apprehend you to recover the stolen merchandise.

02 – Loss Prevention staff have Special Training

It takes special training, dedication, and plenty of on-the-job experience to become good at detecting shoplifters. The best ones know from experience most of the techniques used by shoplifters and they can spot the behavior even before the theft occurs.

03 – Loss Prevention employees Know their Store

Shoplifters are at a disadvantage because a good LP agent has spent thousands of hours roaming the sales floor. They know all the hot spots and the best angles for surveillance. Frequent shoplifters are shocked when they attempt to steal in the wrong store, at the wrong, time, and come up against professional loss prevention agents.

04 – Loss Prevention Agents Study Shopper Behavior

After thousands of hours, they become experts at monitoring shopper behavior. A shoplifter if often detected because they don’t act like a shopper and are quickly identified as a likely shoplift suspect.

05 – Loss Prevention Agents Practice Profiling

Does that surprise you? Not illegal profiling of a protected class, but rather profiling a location within a store, certain behavior, certain techniques, and mannerisms that are outside the norm for honest shoppers. Shoplifters often have a distinctive behavioral profile that can be quickly spotted soon after they enter a retail store.

06 – Loss Prevention Agents use Technology

Most stores these days have surveillance cameras to track and record the behavior of shoplifters. Shoplifters don’t know if someone is watching from a distance possibly using multiple cameras, high-powered binoculars, and recording their criminal acts. LP agents also use communication tools to report your movements and prepare a reception for you when you exit.

07 – Loss Prevention and Store Managers Work as a Team

It’s hard to tell who the undercover loss prevention agents are anymore. The best ones seem invisible on the sales floor and don’t seem concerned about your shoplifting activity. Most store staff work in teams to detect, deter, and detain shoplifters.

08 – Loss Prevention Agents Train to Detain & Arrest

Training in the legal aspects of making shoplifter detention or arrest is necessary to protect the retailer from liability. They have studied and practiced methods of shoplifter detention and arrest where you have not. LP agents are prepared to use reasonable force, if necessary, including handcuffing you.

09 – Loss Prevention Agents Document the Crime

Detaining you and accusing you of retail theft is a serious business. All observations about your shoplifting behavior will be documented in a report and supported by physical evidence of your crime. Most shoplifters plead guilty because of the overwhelming amount of evidence.

10 – Loss Prevention Agents may Recover, Release or Prosecute

A merchant has the option to detain and recover their stolen merchandise and then release you. Store policy may dictate that the police be called to process you through the criminal justice system. Depending on which state you are in, a merchant may make a demand for payment of damages, much like a fine, to reimburse the store for some of the expenses caused by you.

Footnote:

  • The 27th Annual Retail Theft Survey generated by the University of Florida was quoted.
  • This list was created from working with professional retail loss prevention agents.

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      Loss Prevention Agents Want Shoplifters to Know 10 Things (2024)

      FAQs

      Loss Prevention Agents Want Shoplifters to Know 10 Things? ›

      If someone looks like they are wearing dirty clothing and may be homeless then it raises a flag if they are wandering in areas of the store that you wouldn't think someone short on cash would go to (electronics, home decor). If a person shows signs of drug abuse this also draws my attention.

      What does loss prevention look for in shoplifters? ›

      If someone looks like they are wearing dirty clothing and may be homeless then it raises a flag if they are wandering in areas of the store that you wouldn't think someone short on cash would go to (electronics, home decor). If a person shows signs of drug abuse this also draws my attention.

      What are the red flags for shoplifters? ›

      7 Signs of A Potential Shoplifter
      • Displaying Avoidance Behaviors.
      • Wearing Multiple Layers of Clothing.
      • Carrying Multiple Bags.
      • Paying Frequent Visits to Your Store.
      • Distracting Behaviors.
      • Making a Fast Exit.
      • Groups that Split Up.

      Are loss prevention allowed to touch you? ›

      Loss prevention officers should only use reasonable force in detaining a suspect. If injury to the suspect has occurred, the officer most likely exceeded “reasonable force.” This once again makes the store liable.

      Can police track you down by camera for shoplifting? ›

      Although the theft did not actually occur, the person could still be charged with shoplifting based on intent. For example, if security cameras show that you looked around before stuffing electronics down your pants, then you could still be arrested for shoplifting without leaving the store.

      What are the 5 points of loss prevention? ›

      In closing, the five points of loss prevention – vigilance and surveillance, access control, knowledge and training, customer service, and emergency response and reporting – provide a framework for understanding the pivotal role security guards play in safeguarding businesses.

      How often does loss prevention check cameras? ›

      For the average retail store chain, security camera footage is audited approximately every 24 to 48 hours. Larger retailers with multiple locations often have a loss prevention team that actively checks in on video feeds from different stores throughout the business day.

      How to spot a shoplifter? ›

      How to spot a shoplifter
      1. seem to be watching you and the staff rather than shopping and may be waiting for the right moment to steal an item.
      2. seem to want to keep your attention and talk for the sake of it – possibly because an accomplice is elsewhere stealing.
      3. look like they're taking little notice of your products.

      Do stores know when you steal? ›

      How do stores know you're stealing? Most stores have security cameras set up throughout the store, which allows them to see what is happening in every aisle. If they see someone taking something without paying for it, they can put a stop to it right away.

      How do shoplifters get caught after the fact? ›

      Most stores these days have surveillance cameras to track and record the behavior of shoplifters. Shoplifters don't know if someone is watching from a distance possibly using multiple cameras, high-powered binoculars, and recording their criminal acts.

      Can loss prevention search your purse? ›

      They have the right to ask to search someone's purse but it is personal property. Therefore, the purse owner has a right to deny the request. Unless they want to detain you and get a warrant, you don't have to let anyone search your bag.

      How do police track down shoplifters? ›

      When they find the clip of footage showing when the theft took place they will call it into the authorities. Then, the police may develop still images from the video and send out a mass announcement asking for help and “do you recognize this person?” Once sufficient evidence has been collected, police can take action.

      Can stores track down shoplifters? ›

      Yes, stores can track down shoplifters. They can use a variety of methods, including: Surveillance cameras: Most stores have surveillance cameras that can be used to identify and track shoplifters. The cameras can be used to capture images of the shoplifter's face, clothing, and vehicle.

      What does loss prevention look for? ›

      Retail loss prevention consists of identifying shrinkage causes and following up with solutions. Businesses often implement strategies like hiring a loss prevention manager or installing security cameras to improve loss prevention and increase profits.

      Will cops show up to your house for shoplifting? ›

      Do police come to the house after shoplifting? In some cases, especially if the value of stolen items is significant or if there is a history of shoplifting, police may visit the individual's house to address the situation. The response depends on local law enforcement practices and the severity of the alleged offense.

      Do stores post pictures of shoplifters? ›

      Some stores do share the info to other local stores that aren't even the same company (think Hobby Lobby sharing with Michael's or Joann's) some stores will only share within their own company within a certain mile radius or within their own community. Others don't share them at all to anyone.

      What is loss prevention in retail store? ›

      The loss prevention meaning is fairly straightforward in a retail context: It simply refers to a set of practices and policies that retailers use to preserve profit and deter preventable loss of products or services.

      What is considered loss prevention? ›

      Loss prevention is any practice designed to reduce a business's losses from theft, fraud, and operational errors. The goal of loss prevention is to eliminate preventable loss and preserve profits. It's primarily found in retail, but also exists in other business environments.

      Will stores track down shoplifters? ›

      Do stores track down shoplifters? Yes, stores often turn over video surveillance data to police authorities; in many cases, products are able to be recovered. However, there is not always criminal apprehension alongside the inventory recovery.

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