A Look at the Most Common Myths That Shoplifters Believe 

Everyday at NASP, we speak with both adults and juveniles who have been caught shoplifting – from all over the country and from all walks of life. In doing so, we have uncovered a set of false beliefs that exist among those who shoplift and are common to most offenders.

The most common myths are:

1. Shoplifting is only a crime in some states.

2. You can never be arrested unless you leave the store with the merchandise you stole.

3. If you buy something, it proves you aren't a shoplifter.

4. You aren't guilty if you are just holding something for your friend who stole something in the store.

5. Acting as a lookout or blocking an employee or customer’s view while your friend steals is perfectly legal.

6. It's okay to shoplift if it’s the stores fault - like the store charges high prices; or the lines at the checkout counter are too long; or the salespeople are nasty.

7. Most stores will just let you pay for the items you took and then let you go.

8. If you cry and say it was just a mistake, most stores will just let you go.

9. Shoplifting isn't such a big deal compared to other crimes.

10. Being caught shoplifting can’t really affect a person’s future.

11. No one is hurt by the little bit a shoplifter takes from a store.

12. You can’t go to jail for just shoplifting.

Shoplifters believe these false statements because of their own experiences and because of their lack of awareness about the crime and its harmful effects on themselves, the victim and the community. In fact, over the years we have learned that, as a result of these misguided beliefs, many offenders are surprised when they are caught and actually arrested for shoplifting.

This reveals that the apprehension is an opportunity to educate offenders in order to dispel these myths and false beliefs. Consumer shoplifters need to be provided with the facts about shoplifting and its consequences to reverse these false beliefs and perceptions. Ensuring that offenders know and understand the facts about shoplifting is key to preventing future offenses.

Whether it be through prosecution - where the court takes the lead on educating the offender - or through some other means, it is essential that retailers facilitate the education process once an offender is identified. The alternative is to miss the opportunity to reverse the misguided perceptions that led to the behavior.

As a member of each community you serve, you have a golden opportunity to facilitate the education process, hold offenders accountable and build their competency as citizens. This progressive and community-minded approach will not only serve to prevent the next shoplifting offense but perhaps even the next criminal offense of any kind in the community.

It pays to educate offenders. In fact, surveys say that juvenile offenders share the information they learn about the facts of shoplifting with 3.5 other kids. In addition, 96 percent of adults and 98 percent of juveniles who had the opportunity to complete a comprehensive education program said they would not shoplift again “because the program helped them to realize the impact of shoplifting on their lives and others” and “that the risk is not worth the reward.”

Some ways to help to educate the community and address these common myths include:

• Accept any opportunity to speak or make a presentation in local schools or community youth organizations.
  
• Participate in mentoring programs, victim impact panels or community boards.
  
• Give educational pamphlets to the parents of juvenile offenders to help them start a conversation to get their child back on the right track.
  
• Give educational pamphlets that include help resources to adult offenders.

NASP is available to provide technical support and guide you in this effort in your community.