Shoppers at WALMART have been advised to be vigilant when scanning items at self-checkout counters due to increased police scrutiny on the practice of “under-ringing.”
One police department received more than 100 reports in just six months from stores where customers were caught engaging in this deceptive tactic.
The spike in reports of theft incidents primarily stemmed from a Walmart located in Waterford, Connecticut, which is approximately an hour’s drive to the east of New Haven.
Between November 1, 2024, and April 28, 2025, police responded to 124 shoplifting calls at the store, the force warned in a Facebook post.
Many of the reports ended with shoppers getting cuffed and carted off to court.
And some of those customers who were caught were banned from Walmart’s property for good.
Officials said the shoppers were caught “under-ringing” at checkout, which is a tactic where customers only scan part of their grocery haul.
Then, the criminals will sneak in some free items in their bags and walk out of the store with some stolen goods.
The cops issued a stark warning to make it clear that any shopper who thinks they’re getting away with under-ringing is being watched.
“Ladies and gentlemen, your sleight-of-hand techniques are not to the caliber of David Copperfield,” cops wrote in a statement.
Officials praised the Walmart Asset Protection team, saying they closely monitor self-checkouts and act fast when they spot theft.
The warning comes after Walmart rolled out new anti-theft tech to clamp down on rising retail crime.
ANTI-THEFT MEASURES
In November 2024, Walmart employees began using a new app that unlocks locked merchandise displays without needing customer service staff.
The move was aimed at speeding up shopping while keeping expensive items secure behind plexiglass barriers.
Retail theft overall cost US businesses over $121 billion in 2023, according to Capital One.
Sam’s Club, which is owned by Walmart, also jumped into the tech game with AI that checks customer purchases at store exits.
Walmart shoplifting arrests
- Ashley Cross was caught on security cameras using an old watch battery barcode to scan expensive products for just $1, cops say
- Ex-officer Mark Leenerts stole $317.88 worth of merchandise from Walmart stores in Topeka, Kansas
- Jeremiah Boyer allegedly pocketed $52,800 in fees on 874 orders while working for Walmart’s online delivery service Spark
- Brent Adam Brooks, of Sylva, North Carolina, was arrested after allegedly trying to steal a $198 Frigidaire ice maker
- Kabreshia Caldwell is accused of targeting senior customers at Walmarts across Northeast Florida, stealing a total of $10,000
- Katherine Gordon allegedly stole $80 worth of groceries using the ‘banana trick’ at self-checkout
The system is designed to automatically scan carts, speeding up exit times and reducing theft.
Target, one of Walmart’s biggest rivals, was also hit hard, closing nine store in 2023 over crime-related losses.
Retailers across the country are beefing up security but facing backlash from frustrated shoppers.
At Walmart, many customers have complained that the crackdown is ruining the shopping experience.
Walmart isn’t alone – Target, CVS, and Walgreens have all expanded locked displays to fight theft.
Walgreens CEO Timothy Wentworth admitted the new security steps have hurt sales.
Adding to the pressure, Walmart and Target both plan to hike prices after new tariffs on imports.
