When times are tough, it’s only natural to look for ways to save money. But one woman from South Australia was recently warned that her so-called self-checkout ‘trick’ isn’t just unethical–it’s completely illegal.

A question was submitted to the Sisters In Law column on news.com.au, where a woman named Kayla asked law firm Maurice Blackburn's resident lawyers and real-life sisters Alison and Jillian Barrett a rather thought-provoking question.

Apparently, her friend was putting more expensive items through self-checkouts as something less pricey, like swapping avocados for brown onions.

Kayla wrote: 'She claims that it’s not stealing as you’re still paying for something and that supermarkets work the cost of ‘self-checkout fraud’ into their prices. She also claims that everyone does it!'

The Barretts responded: 'No matter how your friend tries to justify her behaviour, it is against the law. Her fraudulent behaviour is just one of many tricks employed by self-service thieves to avoid proper payment.'

A woman in Australia breaks the law with her ‘self-checkout trick’ in hopes of saving a few dollars. Credit: Shutterstock

These sneaky tactics can push up grocery prices for everyone, the duo stressed, which is why supermarkets are taking active measures to prevent self-checkout thefts by employing undercover security officers.

Things could get pretty uncomfortable for a shoplifter caught in the act.

‘If they believe a theft has occurred, security officers and store staff have the right to search your friend’s bags to check the goods and the prices paid,’ the Barretts warned.

‘An excuse like getting avocados confused with brown onions is likely not going to cut it.’

‘Your friend has the right to refuse a search, but the grocery store can call the police if they suspect she has been dishonest.’

Security may inspect your bags before leaving the store for any suspicious activities. Credit: Shutterstock

Shoplifting, including underpayment of goods, is a type of larceny (theft) under South Australian law.

Minor incidences (involving goods valued at less than $150) are usually dealt with by the police in the form of an on-the-spot infringement notice, provided that the supermarket consents.

’This includes the requirement to pay the full price for the goods stolen (or underpaid), as well as an apology to the store,’ the sisters added.

‘It's tough out there, but breaking the law by not paying for your food isn't really good for anyone.’

There’s no doubt about it–money can be tight these days. But breaking the law to save a few bucks just isn’t worth the risk.

Key Takeaways

• A South Australian woman has allegedly been committing 'self-check-out fraud' at her local supermarket, according to her friend.
• The woman reportedly mislabels expensive items as cheaper ones at the self-checkout, a practice she justifies by asserting that supermarkets work the cost of such fraud into their prices.
• Lawyers Alison and Jillian Barrett responded to this inquiry in news.com.au's Sisters In Law column, asserting that such behaviour is not justifiable and contributes to increased grocery prices.
• They warned that undercover security officers are employed by supermarkets to deal with issues such as these, and such behaviour could result in an on-the-spot theft infringement notice, including a requirement to pay the full value of the underpaid goods and an apology to the store.

Do you think the woman’s reason for tricking the supermarket’s self-checkout feature is justified? What would you have done differently if you were in her position? We want to hear your input in the comments below!

 

[Lolali]

Talked to staff about theft the other day - they can’t and won’t do anything about it,
people just walk out with stolen goods. No wonder if nobody does anything about it.
‘I’ve not seen any police in stores for years, it’s a disgrace!

 

[Gsr]

Theft pure and simple. I was going through a checkout at our local big w last week. I had 3 small baskets which cost $1.80 each. They were sitting inside each other. The man on the checkout scanned them as 1 product, when I told him there were 3 his comment was, “you are too honest, not many people would have said anything, thank you”. It never crossed my mind not to tell him, guess it’s the way I was brought up to be honest all the time.

 

[Luckyus]

When times are tough, it’s only natural to look for ways to save money. But one woman from South Australia was recently warned that her so-called self-checkout ‘trick’ isn’t just unethical–it’s completely illegal.

A question was submitted to the Sisters In Law column on news.com.au, where a woman named Kayla asked law firm Maurice Blackburn's resident lawyers and real-life sisters Alison and Jillian Barrett a rather thought-provoking question.

Apparently, her friend was putting more expensive items through self-checkouts as something less pricey, like swapping avocados for brown onions.

Kayla wrote: 'She claims that it’s not stealing as you’re still paying for something and that supermarkets work the cost of ‘self-checkout fraud’ into their prices. She also claims that everyone does it!'

The Barretts responded: 'No matter how your friend tries to justify her behaviour, it is against the law. Her fraudulent behaviour is just one of many tricks employed by self-service thieves to avoid proper payment.'

View attachment 29609

A woman in Australia breaks the law with her ‘self-checkout trick’ in hopes of saving a few dollars. Credit: Shutterstock

These sneaky tactics can push up grocery prices for everyone, the duo stressed, which is why supermarkets are taking active measures to prevent self-checkout thefts by employing undercover security officers.

Things could get pretty uncomfortable for a shoplifter caught in the act.

‘If they believe a theft has occurred, security officers and store staff have the right to search your friend’s bags to check the goods and the prices paid,’ the Barretts warned.

‘An excuse like getting avocados confused with brown onions is likely not going to cut it.’

‘Your friend has the right to refuse a search, but the grocery store can call the police if they suspect she has been dishonest.’

View attachment 29610

Security may inspect your bags before leaving the store for any suspicious activities. Credit: Shutterstock

Shoplifting, including underpayment of goods, is a type of larceny (theft) under South Australian law.

Minor incidences (involving goods valued at less than $150) are usually dealt with by the police in the form of an on-the-spot infringement notice, provided that the supermarket consents.

’This includes the requirement to pay the full price for the goods stolen (or underpaid), as well as an apology to the store,’ the sisters added.

‘It's tough out there, but breaking the law by not paying for your food isn't really good for anyone.’

There’s no doubt about it–money can be tight these days. But breaking the law to save a few bucks just isn’t worth the risk.

Key Takeaways

• A South Australian woman has allegedly been committing 'self-check-out fraud' at her local supermarket, according to her friend.
• The woman reportedly mislabels expensive items as cheaper ones at the self-checkout, a practice she justifies by asserting that supermarkets work the cost of such fraud into their prices.
• Lawyers Alison and Jillian Barrett responded to this inquiry in news.com.au's Sisters In Law column, asserting that such behaviour is not justifiable and contributes to increased grocery prices.
• They warned that undercover security officers are employed by supermarkets to deal with issues such as these, and such behaviour could result in an on-the-spot theft infringement notice, including a requirement to pay the full value of the underpaid goods and an apology to the store.

Do you think the woman’s reason for tricking the supermarket’s self-checkout feature is justified? What would you have done differently if you were in her position? We want to hear your input in the comments below!

I don't know about today but this used to be a white collar crime with significant penalties far out weighing the cost of items involved.

 

[CathyO]

How could anyone think that is legal. These are the people that put the cost of groceries up. The company has to cover their savings and the only way is to put the prices up.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Police tend to respond to incidents of little consequence, but when the heat it on, they take their time getting to the scene of the crime, if at all.

Just to elaborate, I witnessed an ice fuelled psycho destroy a house by smashing every window and sheet of plaster, pull the lid off the washing machine and put holes in all the doors. Concerned about my and others safety, I called the police.

They finally arrived....14 hours after the incident!

Now, if I exceeded my parking limit by 20 milliseconds, the police would book me pronto.'

 

[JustPat]

Theft.

 

[relljube]

I can’t believe they didn’t know this was theft. And trying to justify it by saying they are paying something. I hope they get caught.

 

[relljube]

There's an old saying that ignorance is no excuse - perhaps these ignoramuses should take a reality check. Morons! Throw the book at them.

 

[Robbo3006]

Just to elaborate, I witnessed an ice fuelled psycho destroy a house by smashing every window and sheet of plaster, pull the lid off the washing machine and put holes in all the doors. Concerned about my and others safety, I called the police.

They finally arrived....14 hours after the incident!

Now, if I exceeded my parking limit by 20 milliseconds, the police would book me pronto.'

My point exactly, DOCS came to my house and asked me to call the Police when I saw next door home, for child abuse of a six year old, I rang gave the incident number and the Police came 25 hours later, they had time to move house in a stolen truck. There's more to this but that's the jist of it.

 

[Ezzy]

She obviously has no shame & to brag about is is dangerous. 'Loose lips sink ships'. She deserves to be caught & fined to the full extent of the law.

She knows the difference between onions & avocados & is no stranger to this tactic, having done it often.

Dob her in anonymously if you know she is doing this. Stuff her, damn habitual thief.

 

[Ezzy]

My point exactly, DOCS came to my house and asked me to call the Police when I saw next door home, for child abuse of a six year old, I rang gave the incident number and the Police came 25 hours later, they had time to move house in a stolen truck. There's more to this but that's the jist of it.

Disgraceful that they delayed actioning this matter so long.

 

[LeahI]

Your friend has the right to refuse a search, but the grocery store can call the police if they suspect she has been dishonest

Why should they be able to refuse? It is a condition of entry, that you accept when entering the store, that your bags may be checked.
Only dishonest people (& 'Karens') refuse.

 

[cmattschoss]

When times are tough, it’s only natural to look for ways to save money. But one woman from South Australia was recently warned that her so-called self-checkout ‘trick’ isn’t just unethical–it’s completely illegal.

A question was submitted to the Sisters In Law column on news.com.au, where a woman named Kayla asked law firm Maurice Blackburn's resident lawyers and real-life sisters Alison and Jillian Barrett a rather thought-provoking question.

Apparently, her friend was putting more expensive items through self-checkouts as something less pricey, like swapping avocados for brown onions.

Kayla wrote: 'She claims that it’s not stealing as you’re still paying for something and that supermarkets work the cost of ‘self-checkout fraud’ into their prices. She also claims that everyone does it!'

The Barretts responded: 'No matter how your friend tries to justify her behaviour, it is against the law. Her fraudulent behaviour is just one of many tricks employed by self-service thieves to avoid proper payment.'

View attachment 29609

A woman in Australia breaks the law with her ‘self-checkout trick’ in hopes of saving a few dollars. Credit: Shutterstock

These sneaky tactics can push up grocery prices for everyone, the duo stressed, which is why supermarkets are taking active measures to prevent self-checkout thefts by employing undercover security officers.

Things could get pretty uncomfortable for a shoplifter caught in the act.

‘If they believe a theft has occurred, security officers and store staff have the right to search your friend’s bags to check the goods and the prices paid,’ the Barretts warned.

‘An excuse like getting avocados confused with brown onions is likely not going to cut it.’

‘Your friend has the right to refuse a search, but the grocery store can call the police if they suspect she has been dishonest.’

View attachment 29610

Security may inspect your bags before leaving the store for any suspicious activities. Credit: Shutterstock

Shoplifting, including underpayment of goods, is a type of larceny (theft) under South Australian law.

Minor incidences (involving goods valued at less than $150) are usually dealt with by the police in the form of an on-the-spot infringement notice, provided that the supermarket consents.

’This includes the requirement to pay the full price for the goods stolen (or underpaid), as well as an apology to the store,’ the sisters added.

‘It's tough out there, but breaking the law by not paying for your food isn't really good for anyone.’

There’s no doubt about it–money can be tight these days. But breaking the law to save a few bucks just isn’t worth the risk.

Key Takeaways

• A South Australian woman has allegedly been committing 'self-check-out fraud' at her local supermarket, according to her friend.
• The woman reportedly mislabels expensive items as cheaper ones at the self-checkout, a practice she justifies by asserting that supermarkets work the cost of such fraud into their prices.
• Lawyers Alison and Jillian Barrett responded to this inquiry in news.com.au's Sisters In Law column, asserting that such behaviour is not justifiable and contributes to increased grocery prices.
• They warned that undercover security officers are employed by supermarkets to deal with issues such as these, and such behaviour could result in an on-the-spot theft infringement notice, including a requirement to pay the full value of the underpaid goods and an apology to the store.

Do you think the woman’s reason for tricking the supermarket’s self-checkout feature is justified? What would you have done differently if you were in her position? We want to hear your input in the comments below!

That’s disgusting. She’s definitely stealing.

 

[Robbo3006]

Your friend has the right to refuse a search, but the grocery store can call the police if they suspect she has been dishonest

Why should they be able to refuse? It is a condition of entry, that you accept when entering the store, that your bags may be checked.
Only dishonest people (& 'Karens') refuse.

The law is stupid, they can't hold you there and the police take forever.

 

[Col@45]

When times are tough, it’s only natural to look for ways to save money. But one woman from South Australia was recently warned that her so-called self-checkout ‘trick’ isn’t just unethical–it’s completely illegal.

A question was submitted to the Sisters In Law column on news.com.au, where a woman named Kayla asked law firm Maurice Blackburn's resident lawyers and real-life sisters Alison and Jillian Barrett a rather thought-provoking question.

Apparently, her friend was putting more expensive items through self-checkouts as something less pricey, like swapping avocados for brown onions.

Kayla wrote: 'She claims that it’s not stealing as you’re still paying for something and that supermarkets work the cost of ‘self-checkout fraud’ into their prices. She also claims that everyone does it!'

The Barretts responded: 'No matter how your friend tries to justify her behaviour, it is against the law. Her fraudulent behaviour is just one of many tricks employed by self-service thieves to avoid proper payment.'

View attachment 29609

A woman in Australia breaks the law with her ‘self-checkout trick’ in hopes of saving a few dollars. Credit: Shutterstock

These sneaky tactics can push up grocery prices for everyone, the duo stressed, which is why supermarkets are taking active measures to prevent self-checkout thefts by employing undercover security officers.

Things could get pretty uncomfortable for a shoplifter caught in the act.

‘If they believe a theft has occurred, security officers and store staff have the right to search your friend’s bags to check the goods and the prices paid,’ the Barretts warned.

‘An excuse like getting avocados confused with brown onions is likely not going to cut it.’

‘Your friend has the right to refuse a search, but the grocery store can call the police if they suspect she has been dishonest.’

View attachment 29610

Security may inspect your bags before leaving the store for any suspicious activities. Credit: Shutterstock

Shoplifting, including underpayment of goods, is a type of larceny (theft) under South Australian law.

Minor incidences (involving goods valued at less than $150) are usually dealt with by the police in the form of an on-the-spot infringement notice, provided that the supermarket consents.

’This includes the requirement to pay the full price for the goods stolen (or underpaid), as well as an apology to the store,’ the sisters added.

‘It's tough out there, but breaking the law by not paying for your food isn't really good for anyone.’

There’s no doubt about it–money can be tight these days. But breaking the law to save a few bucks just isn’t worth the risk.

Key Takeaways

• A South Australian woman has allegedly been committing 'self-check-out fraud' at her local supermarket, according to her friend.
• The woman reportedly mislabels expensive items as cheaper ones at the self-checkout, a practice she justifies by asserting that supermarkets work the cost of such fraud into their prices.
• Lawyers Alison and Jillian Barrett responded to this inquiry in news.com.au's Sisters In Law column, asserting that such behaviour is not justifiable and contributes to increased grocery prices.
• They warned that undercover security officers are employed by supermarkets to deal with issues such as these, and such behaviour could result in an on-the-spot theft infringement notice, including a requirement to pay the full value of the underpaid goods and an apology to the store.

Do you think the woman’s reason for tricking the supermarket’s self-checkout feature is justified? What would you have done differently if you were in her position? We want to hear your input in the comments below!

Something I cannot do going through a supermarket checkout is be dishonest! The embarrassing situation you put yourself in would not be worth it.
But then again, if these supermarkets expect people to price and pack their own groceries, they must expect some people will take advantage of it and scan things at lower prices.
Bring back good old fashioned service and employ humans instead of the supermarkets spending millions of dollars on high tech stuff to try and stop people stealing

 

[Ezzy]

The law is stupid, they can't hold you there and the police take forever.

To refuse a bag check is as good as admitting guilt don't you think? You can't stand on principles & refuse these all the time. Conditions of entry are clear.

 

[Pammyt]

When times are tough, it’s only natural to look for ways to save money. But one woman from South Australia was recently warned that her so-called self-checkout ‘trick’ isn’t just unethical–it’s completely illegal.

A question was submitted to the Sisters In Law column on news.com.au, where a woman named Kayla asked law firm Maurice Blackburn's resident lawyers and real-life sisters Alison and Jillian Barrett a rather thought-provoking question.

Apparently, her friend was putting more expensive items through self-checkouts as something less pricey, like swapping avocados for brown onions.

Kayla wrote: 'She claims that it’s not stealing as you’re still paying for something and that supermarkets work the cost of ‘self-checkout fraud’ into their prices. She also claims that everyone does it!'

The Barretts responded: 'No matter how your friend tries to justify her behaviour, it is against the law. Her fraudulent behaviour is just one of many tricks employed by self-service thieves to avoid proper payment.'

View attachment 29609

A woman in Australia breaks the law with her ‘self-checkout trick’ in hopes of saving a few dollars. Credit: Shutterstock

These sneaky tactics can push up grocery prices for everyone, the duo stressed, which is why supermarkets are taking active measures to prevent self-checkout thefts by employing undercover security officers.

Things could get pretty uncomfortable for a shoplifter caught in the act.

‘If they believe a theft has occurred, security officers and store staff have the right to search your friend’s bags to check the goods and the prices paid,’ the Barretts warned.

‘An excuse like getting avocados confused with brown onions is likely not going to cut it.’

‘Your friend has the right to refuse a search, but the grocery store can call the police if they suspect she has been dishonest.’

View attachment 29610

Security may inspect your bags before leaving the store for any suspicious activities. Credit: Shutterstock

Shoplifting, including underpayment of goods, is a type of larceny (theft) under South Australian law.

Minor incidences (involving goods valued at less than $150) are usually dealt with by the police in the form of an on-the-spot infringement notice, provided that the supermarket consents.

’This includes the requirement to pay the full price for the goods stolen (or underpaid), as well as an apology to the store,’ the sisters added.

‘It's tough out there, but breaking the law by not paying for your food isn't really good for anyone.’

There’s no doubt about it–money can be tight these days. But breaking the law to save a few bucks just isn’t worth the risk.

Key Takeaways

• A South Australian woman has allegedly been committing 'self-check-out fraud' at her local supermarket, according to her friend.
• The woman reportedly mislabels expensive items as cheaper ones at the self-checkout, a practice she justifies by asserting that supermarkets work the cost of such fraud into their prices.
• Lawyers Alison and Jillian Barrett responded to this inquiry in news.com.au's Sisters In Law column, asserting that such behaviour is not justifiable and contributes to increased grocery prices.
• They warned that undercover security officers are employed by supermarkets to deal with issues such as these, and such behaviour could result in an on-the-spot theft infringement notice, including a requirement to pay the full value of the underpaid goods and an apology to the store.

Do you think the woman’s reason for tricking the supermarket’s self-checkout feature is justified? What would you have done differently if you were in her position? We want to hear your input in the comments below!

It’s never justified to steal. It’s one of the basic things most of us learn from childhood. I’ve noticed that at my local Woolworths that when I place fruit / veg item on the self serve unit, it seems to recognise what it is by the screen options that appear - there must be some surveillance happening to do this.
It’s never good to steal.
If someone is struggling there are a few services around that may help.

 

[AlanQ]

Jimmy Whoos? Never heard of the bugger.

Honestly.

ever watch even 1 episode of Sex & the City? Then you would have heard of them.

 

[Veggiepatch]

ever watch even 1 episode of Sex & the City? Then you would have heard of them.

No and never would. Sarah Jessica Parker reminds of a beaten favourite at the Randwick races.

 

[Vio Kot]

I hope she gets caught... yes they factor in the cost of theft, and its because of you and other thieving A holes that the rest of us have to pay higher prices.... WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOUR ARE....

We don't pay higher prices due to theft, we pay them because the supermarkets can just increase them. How do you justify increases without service being provided or farmers getting benefits. We believe and accept to much BS these days.