Thefts at self-service checkouts are on the rise

Dealing with discount labels

In recent years, more and more cases have appeared, when customers try to trick the checkout systems by pasting discount labels. At first glance, this trick may look like an effort to save a little, but the reality is much more serious.

One such incident took place in a supermarket in Graz, Austria, where a middle-aged man swapped the cheese label for a cheaper itemto pay less. Although he initially denied everything, he eventually confessed at the police station. He did not avoid a fine and a suspended sentence.

Little cheats, big savings

There was a similar incident in Scotland when a customer in the Asda chain abused the discount system of the said store. He affixed discount tags to several products that were sold at full price. Although this saved him £50, he was caught and faced a hefty fine. This case illustrates how seemingly small frauds can lead to significant financial losses for businesses and how seriously they are taken.

Alarming trend of theft in Poland

In Poland, where the economic situation has caused the price of basic foods to rise, thefts have become more common. According to a report on the Gazeta website police statistics show a significant increase in theft, especially food products such as bread and dairy products. This phenomenon is a direct result of rising inflation and related economic problems that lead citizens to take risky and illegal actions in the hope of bettering themselves.

Pitfalls of self-service checkouts

How often is self-checkout fraud? Studies show that up to 75% of shoplifting takes place here. Perpetrators usually tamper with the weighing of products or change barcodes. Damages can often grow to dizzying heights. This trend points to the need for more effective security measures in stores.

Use of advanced technologies

In the fight against thieves, retail chains such as Globus or Decathlon have started deploying the latest technologies. These include video cameras with advanced facial recognition software, integrated scanning systems that check the contents of the entire shopping cart at once, and even artificial intelligence that analyzes customer behavior in real time. “Artificial intelligence is becoming an essential tool for identifying and preventing theft, enabling retailers to respond faster and more accurately than ever before.” stated an industry analyst from Forbes.cz. These innovations bring hope to reduce theft and increased security for both merchants and customers.

The use of smart technologies in retail chains is proving to be a key step to ensure safety and protection of property. Not only do they help prevent theft, but they also increase customer confidence. With the number of fraud attempts on the rise, it is clear that modern technology will play an increasingly important role in the fight against petty theft.

Sources: Forbes, Kronen Zeitung, Fife Today, Gazeta, Business Insider