Avoid self-serve checkouts, lawyer warns, or it could cost you ‘thousands’

[bnew]

Avoid self-serve checkouts, lawyer warns, or it could cost you ‘thousands’

Attorney Carrie Jernigan alleged on TikTok that “big-box stores” are using security footage at the register to accuse innocent customers of theft.

nypost.com

By
Emily Lefroy
July 11, 2022 6:48pm
Updated

Using a self-serve checkout counter could get you framed for stealing, warned one lawyer on social media.

Attorney and influencer Carrie Jernigan, who often shares legal advice to her 1.2 million followers on TikTok, has alleged that stores are using security footage at the register to accuse innocent customers of theft.

“As a criminal defense attorney, I advise most people to steer clear of self-checkout,” Jernigan says in a video that’s racked up over 2 million views.


Attorney Carrie Jernigan alleged on TikTok that “big-box stores” are using security footage at the register to accuse innocent customers of theft.
Getty Images

The lawyer says there are “three groups” of people being charged with shoplifting using self-checkout.

The first group is those “with the intent to steal.” Though sophisticated thieves still get away with this, weight sensors and cameras have made stealing more difficult.


“Truly innocent” people using the self-serve checkout could be charged with stealing items you rightfully purchased or never picked up, Jernigan said.Left: Getty Images; Right: @Carr

The second category she calls the “theft-by-mistake” group. “These are the people that I genuinely think just forgot to scan an item,” she continued, listing an example of accidentally leaving something at the bottom of the shopping cart. Despite the potentially innocent mishap, these folks do frequently face charges, “because … the big-box stores aren’t going to spend their time and resources trying to figure out if you did it on purpose,” Jernigan said.

The third group is the people she called the “truly innocent.”

“Most of these are not getting charged day of,” she explained. Rather, their predicament begins when someone in the asset protection department of a store starts counting inventory, perhaps days, weeks or months later, and “comes up short.”



“So they will begin watching hours of video to see the last person who checked out with the Mario Lego set because they’re two short or an Xbox game. And, for some reason, they pinpoint that they think you did it,” she explained.

According to Jernigan, megaretailers like Walmart usually have to present very little evidence to get an affidavit for warrants on the charges.

“The charges that could land you up to a year in jail,” she cautioned. “You have to spend thousands of dollars hiring a lawyer and we have to go through grainy video footage to try to determine what all you bought that day.”

Jernigan urged people to pay with a card for larger purchases and always keep proof of purchase.

The Post has contacted Walmart for comment on her assessment.

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[bnew]

The first group is those “with the intent to steal.” Though sophisticated thieves still get away with this, weight sensors and cameras have made stealing more difficult.

end of an era

 

[Luke Cage]

i still get a receipt when i self check out, so unless i'm actually stealing, I don't see how this would be a concern.

Them: You Stole that x-box,
Me: here is the proof of purchase, case closed.

One thing i've gotten in the habit is getting the emailed receipts so all i have to do search the date of the day in question on my phone whenever i need it.

 

[humminbird]

No thanks

 

[Zero]

i still get a receipt when i self check out, so unless i'm actually stealing, I don't see how this would be a concern.

Them: You Stole that x-box,
Me: here is the proof of purchase, case closed.

One thing i've gotten in the habit is getting the emailed receipts so all i have to do search the date of the day in question on my phone whenever i need it.

End of discussion.

 

[Ski Mask]

Thats why i usually deal with cashiers.

 

[Neo. The Only. The One.]

Umm... wouldn't you have the receipt to prove that you paid for your items?

 

[Nabs]

She looks like she's about to transform into a white walker. I'mma stick with the self checkout. I grab receipts and use a card every time.

 

[Luke Cage]

End of discussion.

Yep, not to mention all the stuff they mentioned about innocent and accidental theives, can still happen with a cashier. Plenty of times i had a watermelon underneath the shopping cart that we forgot to ring up with the cashier.

 

[jdubnyce]

If youre truly not trying to steal, just get a paper receipt as evidence....not that hard

Fear mongering

 

[levitate]

Uhh. I always get a paper receipt and have it in my hand while exiting the store.
That’s taught in Things That You Must Do While Black 101 class.

 

[Geek Nasty]

If youre truly not trying to steal, just get a paper receipt as evidence....not that hard

Fear mongering

You see how it’s placing more burden on the customer. You going to keep track of all your receipts and remember to even get one each time?

 

[LeaveMyHairLineAlone]

She looks like she's about to transform into a white walker. I'mma stick with the self checkout. I grab receipts and use a card every time.

4 hours of sleep

 

[Taadow]

“Big Box Stores” don’t even have enough employees to keep shelves full, let alone an Asset Management Department most times.

Often times, they know specific people who steal but will only try to catch you in the act or post their picture somewhere for others to watch them.

 

[Ethnic Vagina Finder]

I’m a keep shop lifting

NJ banned bags. You either have to bring your own or pay for one in the store. So when I scan, I put it right back in the cart which is on the floor.

And the spotters are underpaid so they don’t be paying attention. As far as technology, it depends on the store. Most don’t have it.