These detection antennas send out a signal, and security tags or labels attached to products and merchandise within a store answer back. When an item with an active tag or label passes by or between these antennas, an alarm sounds, indicating an item is leaving the store.
Most stores these days have surveillance cameras to track and record the behavior of shoplifters. Shoplifters don't know if someone is watching from a distance possibly using multiple cameras, high-powered binoculars, and recording their criminal acts.
Electronic article surveillance (EAS) is a type of system used to prevent shoplifting. If you've ever been to a store and heard an alarm when somebody was exiting you've seen the EAS system in action. The system is designed to detect unpaid items in people's pockets or bags as they are leaving the store.
No, it's the magnetic security device ( unobtrusive little white plastic strip ) somewhere attached to the above averaged valued item that triggers the alarm. It's not the barcodes that set off the theft detection system. It's small tags that they place inside or on the item.
Plastic security tags clip a radio-frequency identification chip directly onto an item. When the chip crosses the detection sensor, an alarm is triggered to alert store employees to the theft. These tags are available in many forms, such as gator, clam shell and golf ball.
In contrast, all barcodes do not trigger an alarm. What triggers the alarm is the magnet. However, magnets are usually placed near the barcode so the cashier knows and can deactivate the magnet simply by scanning the item. That makes many people mistakenly think that unscanned barcodes set off alarms.
Although it may sound too simple to be true, yes, you can stop the alarm from going off by covering the tags with a conductive material. The aluminum foil bag example in the beginning works because of a concept called 'electromagnetic shielding'.
More than likely, the tag was not activated, or, the item had been returned and never reactivated. Also, not every item has a tag on it. Or the scanner was not working at the door the item went off. Or the item was shielded enough so the scanner didn't detect it.
The security tag can be easily removed with a neodymium magnets.
Shoplifters most commonly conceal stolen merchandise on their person or in their clothing, inside shopping bags, purses, hats or even umbrellas. Another method of concealment is palming an item and keeping it in the hand until out of the store (e.g. jewellery or small expensive items).
There's a possibility that the same employee could be working and recognize you. They could also put up your photo if they got footage of you on camera. Stores often share information about shoplifters with other businesses. The store where you shoplifted might share your photo with other retailers in the area.
Many locally-owned stores use social media to track down shoplifters. They post images from their security footage and ask the community for help identifying the suspect. These methods can be used to find shoplifters long after they have left store property.
Only the alleged offender knows of his or her own intent, making it almost to prove the incident was an accident or a mistake. Ultimately, whether you meant to pay or not, if you attempt to leave a store with unpaid merchandise and are caught, you will likely be criminally charged.
Take Off The Tags
These places always have sensors and it's best to tear them off before you leave. For example, if you're stealing a belt, it's best you wear the item and then tear the tag off before you leave the store. This is also applies to sweaters, shirts, pants, and socks.
These detection antennas send out a signal, and security tags or labels attached to products and merchandise within a store answer back. When an item with an active tag or label passes by or between these antennas, an alarm sounds, indicating an item is leaving the store.
To deactivate the magnetic security strip, all that need be done is to magnetize the strip along its length. This can be done by applying a sufficiently strong magnetic field along the length of the strip.
Radio frequency (RF) or radio frequency identification (RFID) scanners work by transmitting a signal to a receiver to alert security personnel that something is amiss. Each piece of inventory can be tagged with an RF or RFID tag that will generate an electrical current that transmits on a specific frequency.
“You've purchased an item, you're walking out the door and all of a sudden, security or someone from the store is approaching you.” Embarrassing! If you didn't steal anything and the alarm goes off, that means you're carrying or wearing an item with a security tag that somehow didn't get deactivated by a cashier.
Anti-theft systems protect valuables such as vehicles and personal property like wallets, phones, and jewelry. They are also used in retail settings to protect merchandise in the form of security tags and labels. Anti-theft systems include devices such as locks and keys, RFID tags, and GPS locators.
There are, of course, monitored cameras everywhere. And the employee in the self-checkout area is there specifically to spot and discourage these types of thefts. There are also novel technologies that may help retailers prevent self-checkout theft.
It is fairly common for shoplifters to use aluminum foil to try to defeat alarms. The aluminum foil is used as a barrier to prevent sensors from detecting security devices attached to merchandise.
Do metal detectors detect aluminium foil? Yes, a metal detector will detect aluminium foil.