A woman has been informed the ‘trick’ she uses on the self-checkout machine at grocery stores is actually breaking the law.
In almost every store you visit, the self-checkout is present.
While some people love this quick and efficient method, others find it makes an already stressful experience even more frustrating.
Now, one shopper has gone viral after the ‘hack’ she used on the self-checkout to make her experience easier has been revealed – as it turns out she’s breaking the law.
People reacted on social media after hearing the shopper’s ‘trick.’
One person wrote: “I had no idea this was illegal!”
In agreement, a second said: “That’s so scary, I’m definitely stopping this!”
A woman named Kayla shared with lawyers Alison and Jillian Barrett that her friend often puts more expensive vegetables – such as avocado – through the self-checkout as brown onions.
In the News.com.au column, Kayla explained: “She says it’s not stealing as you’re still paying for something. And that the supermarkets work the cost of ‘self-check-out fraud’ into their prices.
“She also claims everyone does it! I’m sure it’s stealing but she won’t listen to me.”
Kayla then asked the two lawyers if her friend was breaking the law, to which they confirmed she was.
They explained: “This is a huge problem in Australia, with the cost of theft for retailers estimated to be a few billion dollars each year.
“This dishonest behavior unfortunately affects us all by pushing up grocery prices.”
The lawyers described the woman’s behavior as ‘fraudulent’ and added it’s a common technique that thieves use on self-service checkouts.
They continued: “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.
“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.”
The lawyers proceeded to break down the punishments Kayla’s friend could receive under Australian law, stating that minor incidents of shoplifting, which involve goods valued at less than $150, are dealt with by the police rather than the courts.
Consequences of this are usually paying the full value of what has been stolen/underpaid and issuing an apology to the shop.
The police may also issue a caution about not engaging in this conduct again, and you would need to submit an undertaking agreeing to this.
If any stolen items are worth more than $30, the person would have to perform community service, with the lawyers claiming community service would need to be performed for every $5 value of the goods stolen.
If these requirements are accepted and followed no criminal conviction will be recorded. If a person refuses to comply, the police could fine up to $1250 for breaking the agreement and they could be charged with theft – which would be dealt with by the courts.
If convicted of theft, a person can face up to 10 years of jail time.
So if you’re ever considering swiping money off your shop at the self-checkout, beware!
