How Does Walmart Track Shoplifting In 2022? (Warning…)

Walmart lost approximately $3 billion in theft each year, according to estimates. Walmart considers shoplifting a serious offense.

While this figure is less than 1% of the company’s $300 billion annual revenue, it raises the question, “How does Walmart monitor shoplifting in its stores?” You might be surprised at the answer.

What happens if you are caught shoplifting at Walmart?

Walmart has a reputation for bringing shoplifters to justice. The Walmart store is less likely to drop any petty theft charges that other stores. That could mean you will have a criminal record which can make it difficult for future job searches.

Depending on the value of what you stole, you could face up to a year in jail (or more) if someone catches you stealing from Walmart when under 16, they will most likely encourage you to return the items and leave the store.

Walmart does not have to give you footage of shoplifting.

Walmart is allowed to press charges against the store, and they can hand the tape over as evidence to the police, but not to the shoplifter. A defense attorney is required if you wish to view the tape.

See our guide for more details on the time Walmart keeps CCTV surveillance footage.

Walmart Calls The Cops About Shoplifting

Walmart calls the police for shoplifting. If barcode alarms go off and they find security camera footage of you shoplifting, then they will call the police, and you will most likely be arrested.

If you believe you are wrongly accused of shoplifting, remain calm and ask to speak with the police immediately.

The police should be questioned about the security of your store. If nothing comes of that, then you may need to find an attorney. Signing anything is against the law if you think you are innocent.

Walmart also reserves the right to summon the police when they see anyone trying to load pallets or dumpster diving.

What Does It Mean to Be Caught at Walmart Shopping For The First Time?

Under 16-years old will have to return items. You may be sent home by your parents, the police or both.

You are unlikely to be sentenced if your age is over 16. But, you can still be charged for misdemeanors that could remain in your criminal record.

You’ll also be barred from future Walmart Stores. You could face jail, fines, probation, and possible expulsion if you are caught shoplifting in another Walmart Store.

The consequences for being caught a second time are often a lot more severe, and if you are caught a third time, you will be charged with a felony, not just a misdemeanor.

Can You Be Charged With Shoplifting Weeks After Having Shoplifted?

Walmart stores have legal rights to shoplifters for two years. It can sometimes take retail stores weeks to file shoplifting cases.

This means that you could be charged even if you are not guilty of the crime. It takes about two months, most of the times.

To learn more, you can also see my post on whether or not Walmart can check your receipt when exiting the store, the most stolen items from Walmart, what sets off Walmart door alarms, and the Walmart lost and found policy.

Walmart strives to decrease shrinkage’s impact on their annual profit. They use a variety of methods to make sure shoplifters get caught and tracked down, then charged. The shoplifters stand a very slim chance of being caught with security cameras outside and inside, as well as barcode scanners or, more recently, image recognition.

Is There A Shoplifter Database?

Retail stores can use a reciprocal database to track shoplifters and other dishonest employees, contrary to the information posted elsewhere. It has existed for over a decade. The database is not available in all shops, but most stores use it. Stores Mutual Protection Association runs the database.

How do I get Walmart to Drop Shoplifting Fees?

The theft charges against your will be dropped if you successfully complete the pretrial diversion course. You may then ask for the charges to be erased from your records after two years.

Walmart Has a No Chase Policy

Our policy is to not chase. Apr 25, 2012

Walmart Does Self Checkout Know What You Do?

Walmart does monitor their self-checkout registers using a computer AI system known in-house as Missed Scan Detection. Everseen, located in Cork Ireland, has developed the program. It combines both video surveillance and scanner detection.

.How Does Walmart Track Shoplifting In 2022? (Warning…)