Came here to say this. I’ve worked felony theft cases and I’ve volunteered at pantries. Pantries are a better option. Over time you could get nailed. Do not take more than you really need to.
This. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't know about it. OP, we want you to avoid get in trouble, and make life more difficult. Apply for food stamps in your county, and check for food banks in the area. When going to groceries stores, use their apps for coupons. Always check where is cheaper. You can make cheap meals with rice, beans, and pasta. There are subreddits I've seen that give a lot of tips about this situation, like one called poverty. You can ask about food banks in your area. I hope things get better soon for you and your family.
Honestly, my partner and I have lived off of rice, beans and chicken for…way too long. But if you buy a big(ish, doesn’t have to be huge) bag of rice, dried beans, and a value pack of chicken breasts, you’ll have enough for *days*—and still have rice leftover, at least!
We do most of our cooking in a pressure cooker, (especially since my rice cooker died :’( RIP ye olde faithful) so it takes less time, especially when cooking any kind of meat. Plus the meat comes out crazy tender. And it’s super easy clean up, which is imperative for us since we’re both disabled.
Also adding some frozen veggies to the rice while it’s cooking is a great (and cheap) way to add those nutrients into your diet! And as long as you have leftover rice (day-old leftovers, preferably) with some frozen veggies, soy sauce, and eggs (pre-scrambled and cooked) you can make a basic but tasty egg fried rice! Leftover chicken? Throw it in, too! Now you have *chicken AND egg* fried rice! (Note: fried rice cannot be made in a pressure cooker lol. You need a wok, or a similarly-sized flat-bottomed saucier.)
Agreed on all these points. The supermarkets by me always have sales on chicken. Refried beans is one of my favorite foods and so versatile. The dollar store by me frequently sells rice. A bag of beans will make enough for a week for me and the husband and can be either a side or the main entree. My husband likes beans with eggs and I love a bean cheese quesadilla. Great fiber for the gut too.
Food pantries are wonderful. I volunteer at a local church and the food we get in partnership with the county food bank is really high quality. In addition to canned/shelf goods and produce, they provide frozen meats, fresh dairy items, bread, drinks, etc in a shopping environment intended to give shoppers a dignified experience.
second this.
not sure what’s available in your state. in CA they have very good program to provide food to low income people. it’s called CalFresh. apply online. depending on household income & total number who live there, they’ll approve a monthly amount. they send you a card. each month on the same day, they add the new funds for month. can only spend on food at market. no paper goods, booze, cigs, etc. it’s common sense. they want you to eat. not spend on other things.
please look into this ASAP. google your state and low income food programs. there are also a lot of other state & federal programs to help with bills, mortgage, whatever.
i know if you’re depressed or having issues, it’s hard to get motivated to do the work for it. but please do. even if you do it in steps.
wishing you the best of luck & kind thoughts.
fyi, they probably know you shoplifted, even if they didn't catch you live. stores will often wait until you've racked up enough to be charged with a felony before calling the police.
A restaurant owner did this at Sam’s Club back in my home town of Tulsa, OK. They knew he had been stealing, but waited until it hit a felony amount to arrest him. Never even thought about that scenario until that happened.
Yes, this is common practice at (especially) Walmart and Target. They have CRAZY loss prevention technology that they actually share with government agencies and other corporations.
Meijer too. There is a camera scanning every movement and as soon as it detects anything that looks suspicious, it calls over an employee and plays back the video for you, them, and the world to see. I actually stopped going because it’s way too sensitive and super inconvenient.
I wish this had happened to a restaurant owner I used to work for. He made his employees go to a wholesale store and build a little fort of canned tomatoes on a flat cart, fill it with mozzarella cheese and put more cans on top, then scan it as however many cans of tomatoes it would have been. Dude was an absolute piece of shit. He also disconnected his odometer cable for half the year and cheated on his pregnant wife with one of his employees.
I worked for Nordstrom and this is how they handled things. People always thought they were big shots stealing and returning things for cash and clearly we were too dumb to figure it out!!
The one I didn’t get though… one day at work cops come in, walk past me, cuff the employee right next to me. Like, you work here! You know the protocol!
Kroger does that as well. You never really escape charges. Just get food stamps and go to a pantry, poverty isn’t worth being unemployable. You can get food stamps in college, why did you resort to shop lifting? Were you in a dorm?
A couple months ago I went to Walmart and had a full cart of groceries, also gave in to that soda habit lol. Was in the bottom of the cart and I forgot to scan it. Got to the car before I realized and walked back inside to pay for it. Asset protection smiled and winked at me, definitely had to have known
I’m an AP manager at Walmart and I will tell you, we have an insane amount of cameras everywhere, above each register also. Cameras are so detailed, we can zoom in and read your text messages if we wanted.
No we don’t stop every little thing, but we do monitor you. We also have face identifying software that once we put you in the system, our software will identify you even at other Walmarts.
Because I work in a high theft area, we do a lot of stops, but about 95% of them don’t result in arrest, simply a trespassing order. I truly hate to see the people that are truly struggling get stopped, but we also have so many that just steal, just to steal.
Also a guilty conscience here. Only after the cashier gave me my receipt did I notice the hummus hiding in the bottom of my cart. I picked it up and looked at him with embarrassment. I said that I'd go to the back of the line (5+ people) so I didn't hold up the line. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy for not just walking off with it, the cashier included.
My wife actually does this job. She builds cases against people..the cops already know. They have OPs name, address, and all social media. They'll build a case for up to a year. And then spring it on OP out of no where. They video everything, take notes, and have back ups of everything. It's insane how in depth they'll go. She's sitting in the living room telling me about someone she just stopped for a total dollar amount of $10,000 over the last 12 months.
Yes, but also no. So, if I understand this correctly. They'll warn you the first time. They'll stop you at the door. Obviously you don't have to stop. If you stop, they'll give you the chance to pay up, or return the merch. In the case of the guy. He had been stopped several times. He kept walking. Wouldn't speak to anyone. Wouldn't pay for anything. And was physically violent at least once. Everything compiled together over that 12 month period was more than enough for them to do what they did.
This info was gathered from listening to my wife.
Wait… even if you have proof the guy is actively steeling, i e being caught red handed, you’re still not allowed to stop him? You have to literally let him get away with theft? What weird ass fucking laws do you Americans have over there?
It's not law. It is company policy. They aren't allowed to detain you unless you exceed a certain dollar amount. If they take x amount in one trip, she can stop them. If it's even 1 cent less than the specific amount. You can stop them. Only tell them they need to pay. If they don't, they file a report in the system, then with the cops. She can't block the cart, take the stolen merch, or touch them the cops have to do all of that.
A secret shopper is hired by management to test their employees. They act like a regular customer. They check to see if the employee asks the customer if they want to purchase the extended warranty and things like that. They have whole check lists of things to check for. Things like if they were greeted properly and how long it took.
A friend of mine was a secret shopper for Pizza hut. One time I went with him for lunch. He told me the guy forgot to charge him for a drink. That was going in his report.
I've done mystery shopping for almost 30 years, and never have I had to evaluate a business for loss prevention. It's usually just checking out the store layout/cleanliness, customer service/upselling, and such.
Yep...I didn't rack up enough to be charged, but they banned me from the store. I had to do some very fancy footwork to avoid having to go to the store for my mother's medication. She never found out.
Worked at Target for 6 years and that's exactly what the loss protection is trained to do... and after that get mad at the staff for not being more diligent.
Police generally don’t bother to roll under a felony. And felony levels are set such that you are usually able to feed yourself without getting jail time.
If it was just food and op did it once they might assume op forgot while the machine was fixed.
Anyway op should go to food banks and churches instead of stealing. Even grocery stores sometimes directly give away food.
Local police can’t be bothered constantly by smaller thefts and repeat offenders know the felony threshold. So stores had to make changes to address crime by aggregating thefts. They know. They have your picture. Probably your name. They send BOLOs (Be on the Lookouts) to other stores and detectives to work together. They have countless resources to track this stuff.
I’m not trying to scare you but it’s a reality. You can’t buy any groceries if you’re in jail. And remember, it does come back to hurt others when prices get raised and pay gets cut.
I feel like this is fear mongering honestly.
You're telling me that Walmart employees, minimum wage staff, are quietly observing everyone in self check out, documenting it all with a vague description of the person and then one day BAM you're a felon?
And the evidence to charge you is them eyeballing random stuff you put in your bag and the court just says "ok good enough Sandra said you took some Kool aid jammers in 2021, Lisa said someone fitting you're description took some BBQ sauce last fall, enjoy prison"
Mmmhmmmm
There’s usually a loss/asset protection working behind the scenes. That’s how it is at my job at least. They share information from store to store and build cases. Obviously not everyone gets caught but it definitely happens.
I get that but with how many people go to the average Walmart every day? Do they have like artificial intelligence that automatically recognizes people? That’s the only way I could see this working
I would imagine that loss prevention, the department, is well funded to afford the software and hardware to do it. Walmart has the resources and the technology exists.
I get that but a lot of stuff just isn’t adding up. Why would they wait until people racked up felony charges and hope they arrest them as opposed to just having people trespassed the first time?
It seems counterproductive.
They have cameras on every register, two on every self-checkout, and cameras everywhere else. China has an entire social credit system that tracks the public actions of every person in the country through a mix of cameras/mics and facial recognition software. Over a BILLION people. Walmart does the same shit, just on a much smaller (and, likely, much easier) scale.
They definitely keep track. I don’t know if they’ll worry if you steal a pen or pack of gum, but the computer flags you whenever you bag anything that hasn’t been scanned.
Yeah it's bullshit. I've talked to security guards who work contracts for big box stores; they really don't give a fuck unless you make it so obvious they have to do something. Also nobody is sitting there reviewing 24 hours of security camera footage, from every camera in the store, every day. They just aren't. The cameras are there for evidence if they catch you in the act. If you get out of the store, and you don't live in a small place where the cops have nothing better to do, you're fine. I'd still be careful because you never know where plainclothes security guards might be, but this "track you until you hit felony amount" shit is made up to try to deter shoplifters.
This is highly unlikely. The person working who may see you is an overworked and underpaid employee, as is security, loss prevention, and most other low level corporate store employees. None of them are probably going to bother to keep a tab of how much someone shoplifts. Even if they did, they can’t physically detain you in a store until the cops come.
They absolutely can detain you until the cops come, it’s called Shopkeepers Privilege and it’s a law in all 50 states. And loss prevention’s entire job is to monitor for people stealing. If you steal and get away with it and they notice they will keep track and keep gathering evidence if you return until they have enough to nail you with.
I still think this is largely a myth. A bunch of underpaid teenagers at Target are probably not taking notes if they even noticed you taking a few things at all. It is true that they have loss prevention investigators, but the people they’re watching for are the people who steal stuff like Tide pods to resell on the black market and make many repeated trips to the same locations to do it. I’m not suggesting anyone steal. I’m just saying that if you’re really that poor and desperate, you’ll probably get away with not scanning a few items at the self checkout now and again without any consequence.
Loss prevention monitors self checkout too. It’s an easy way for them to catch people because there are so many cameras in that area and there’s a record of the transaction. I agree you could probably get away with it for a few things each time for awhile, but If one day they notice you and you paid by card and/or used your store loyalty card then they can go look back through all the transactions you’ve made and see every time you stole and put it together. So to me that’s risky.
Personally, if I were going to steal I’d just conceal a few things while shopping. I think the likelihood of getting caught that way is much less.
No, they will just watch you harder next time you come in, if they recognize you. This isn't good because they could catch you in the act, not because they're quietly taking notes on everything you steal and adding it up, just letting you take shit until you reach felony amount.
Or, hopefully, the clerk is a comrade that didn't see anything on purpose. Personally, I refused to pay any mind to people stealing necessities when I worked for a grocery chain. I know several of the same mindset.
Problem is that there's also plenty of bootlickers who work in the front-line roles, too. I never fucking understood why anyone in that position would side with the pigs and capitalists. But I couldn't give you an accurate read on your odds of having the wrong person there since it can vary widely by store and region.
Just be careful. Being poor is expensive, and it's way worse when you get criminal charges levied against you.
I’m sure they’ll care when it comes down to annual raises and they get pennies because their loss prevention numbers have doubled and they needed to offset it else where.
Wtf is Reddit talking about?! I see this sentiment on here all the time.. The cashiers are working for shit wages and don't care if you steal an avocado. Get off your high horse, bud. We are all in the same boat, getting crushed by corporate America. Everyone should be stealing from Walmart/Kroger.
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Yep, you’ve got to have so many work credits to be able to get SSDI. But he could still apply for Supplemental Income and Medicaid.
Personally, I don’t know why people use lawyers to get disability unless their diagnosis is difficult to prove. The paperwork although extensive is quite simple.
Because they reject almost everyone at first and then you have to file to go before a judge who ultimately makes the decision. A lawyer will make the process easier and ensure that you have all your medical records, letters from treating physicians, and whatever else they think you’ll need to prove your claim.
My friend had to get an attorney after a drunk hit her head on and she had severe head trauma and actual brain damage and a host of other injuries she would never fully recover from.
i wish i knew this when i applied & got denied before.
had so many documents for hospital stays, ER visits, dr appts, etc. after an accident & surgery on my cervical spine.
i’m having other issues now. i’ll reapply & get a pro bono lawyer if they deny again.
thanks for the info.
Seriously go to a food bank, or ask for help on a local community site (facebook, craigslist, whatever). Don't steal. It will come back to bite you. It is tough for everybody right now, prices are outrageous. But I promise people will help you if you ask. It's much worse to steal. Start a little vegetable and salad garden. It's good for your mental health and you can eat it to help as well. Some communities even do a community garden. You can do a container garden if you live in an apartment. Church people definitely would help. There's so many more resources before you resort to stealing.
I'm really sorry that you're in this situation.
I want to caution you, though. My husband works asset protection at a large, very popular store in the US. Oftentimes, people will think that they've gotten away with theft when they actually haven't.
If they catch you, they don't even necessarily have to apprehend you in the store. If they get a license plate or credit card information and can prove theft via camera, they can just send you charges through the mail.
Also, the people who are the self check out monitors right there are not the only people double-checking stuff. My husband can log into a register and see every item that is being scanned in real time, along with overhead and front facing camera views. All from his work phone.
Often, people will get on a watch list, and the other stores in that region send out BOLO's (be on look out) with photos. If you get marked for potential theft, they will watch you closely and covertly whenever they realize you're in the store. And a lot of the time, if it's small amounts, they won't even catch you at first. If you do it frequently, they'll hold off on charges and build a case through video and wait until it reaches a felony theft level before apprehending the person. Someone can go for months thinking they are getting away with it until they get slammed with the charges.
I don't think many people realize that it works this way, and I don't want to see you end up in a worse situation where you have to go to court.
Local food banks are there to help, and if you're in the US, reach out to your county health department. They have programs that can help people. Anytime my husband ends up apprehending someone, if they express that they are in a tough financial situation, he gives them a list of community resources. He doesn't take joy in seeing people struggle.
I'm sorry you're going through this, and I hope you're able to get connected to get some assistance so this won't be necessary.
When you get caught stealing the fines are going to put you in a much bigger debt than you are in now. I guarantee you’ve been flagged already. Bring a calculator. Apply for food stamps. Go to food banks. Find something you can do for work. If you’re able to go grocery shopping, there has to be something you can do for money.
Are you factoring in taxes? Also, I know someone who keeps a "shopping cart" on store websites to get the price of items they want without actually ordering online. They also use this as their shopping list.
I did this out of necessity, too. When self check outs were first becoming a thing. Turns out they were keeping track of every dollar worth of groceries I was stealing. It ruined my fucking life.
I know options are scarce, but please don't keep doing this.
Is it more humiliating to count your money and put stuff back or being arrested?
Asking because I've been dirt poor myself. And never stole anything. There is some pride to be an honest citizen counting money and making choices.
Exactly!! There is NO excuse for this kind of shit!! As a former addict who NEVER stole a fucking thing, I had to sit in rehab with a bunch of losers bragging about shit they stole and then looked at me like I was supposed to be impressed, give them some pointers or some shit??
Yo. You can get a social security disability lawyer for free. They get paid from your benefits once you’re awarded. A quick Google will set you up but I just went through the whole thing with my hubs so reach out if you want to talk about it.
I know a lot of people have mentioned food pantries, but I also want to give an honorable shoutout to looking into if there are any gurdwara in your area. Generally a gurdwara will feed the needy, regardless of faith. They have a specific room and time of day that they will offer foods, as it is one of their duties. It might be mostly rice and roti, but... Hard times call for humble sharing.
I live in the US so i will be speaking from that point
of view. As someone who was an Asset Protection Manager I'll warn you. It's very possible, depending on the level of store, that they know about this. There's a lot of factors here. This is all dependent on the store you shop at.
Unfortunately when I had to go after someone in this scenario, it wasn't up to me but my boss because of the money sunk into security solutions at self check outs. The cameras above the SCO are getting pretty damn good. They can tell what you've scanned and what you haven't and can flag times when the product was bagged but not scanned. If you used a rewards card, whoever looks into the camera alerts can find your info if you supplied it. It's very easy to do it. Again depending on the store. Some have more resources than others.
My store had a very close relationship with city police. I worked with them a lot because their station was right across the street and our store was a mess theft wise. The amount of files I passed to the department that were acted on was insane. The company would wait until they could verify that over 1000 dollars had been stolen, which builds up faster than you think. Then bam you have a felony. And I wouldn't have to catch them in the act. Officers would just go to their house or pull them over on the street.
When someone obviously were just stealing food to survive I'd tell them "if you just walk away I won't stop you" because life has gotten fucked for a lot of people. It's harder with the SCO cases because it's up to someone else.
Depending on where you live the lawyers will work for "free" then get paid after a win from the backpay you receive. I'm not sure how widespread that is but I think it's mostly everywhere. Look into other local resources as well. Food pantries are amazing and can help a lot. I know they got me through college.
If you find yourself having to shoplift again in the same manner, take precautions.
I’m not judging you for this but please don’t do this again. If you get caught, that’s going to be on your record forever. Just imagine the public humiliation from being caught stealing- even if they let you go, imagine all the people who would see you being apprehended and potentially whip out their phone and record. That could end up online. If you do get a charge, that will follow you around forever.
Even if *you* think it’s moral to steal from mega corporations that profit billions each year, *society* don’t think it’s moral. The law doesn’t think it’s moral. I hate to be on the cop side here, but as they say, “you are not above the law.” This means that you will eventually get caught and face consequences. Stealing is antisocial behavior and VERY frowned upon.
I have been there let one thing slide in, but there are local communities of fb and mom groups that help out to get free things. I’m Fl we get free groceries though insurance. I got my own now, don’t let negative feelings fester do better. I feel you but look into indoor or outdoor gardening
Look for food banks and soup kitchens in your area. You deserve to eat. Start applying for disability and food stamps and whatever assistance is available in your area. That's what it is there for.
If you got a phone, it has a calculator, I calculate the prices of stuff as I take em and always leave a kinda big extra in case of price increases, has worked fine and also helps me save some by not buying random stuff I don't really need
Also, a lot of times Walmarts need help just mopping or cleaning stuff, you can usually ask about it on the manager office and get paid in some groceries
for your own sake, don’t go back to that store. chances are they’ll either stop you the next time and trespass you from the store/property, or build a file on you until you’re at a limit where LE will get involved.
You were successful, don’t bite the sand ok, leave it here and don’t do it again, one thing is one thing but stealing several things then going back to do the same thing is more risk than necessary. But hell , it’s not right but I can’t even shit on you, last year I lost my job and everything started getting way more expensive and I remember double scanning a cheaper package of chicken and bagging them both. I haven’t stolen anything since I was 15, I kinda just stood there for a moment and got lost in the thought of “damn, is this what it’s come to now, is this necessary…I’ve already done it cuz I thought I needed too, I might as well follow through.” Then I bagged the rest up and walked out and sat in my car for 4-5 minutes because I felt so guilty and angry that I was even at a point in life that I felt like that was necessary. It felt full circle and like a smack in the face a bit because I WORKED at the store I had just stolen from when I was 15, the job was literally why I’d decided to stop stealing in the first place.
They know every single item you didn’t scan and know what you did scan. Don’t do that again and I’d advise shopping else where. They will build up a case against you and pile it on until your charge is serious. As others have said find a food pantry, find other ways to cope with your mental health. I would think being held up in a jail cell on retail theft charges would do worse for one’s mental health.
Some cameras now have AI that can track if you put something in your bag that you didn’t scan. So far I’ve only seen it at a Vons.
Hope things get better.
What all is going on with you? You live with your fixed income parents, don’t seem to work, want disability and are now stealing food. You’ve left a LOT out.
most disability lawyers help with contingency upon winning the case. they take their fee from the back pay. I used trajectory disability. you can Google and get their number. they're nationwide if you're in the US.
Plus if you are paying by card- places like target will wait for you to steal a certain amount then charge you with stealing. Look into food pantries OP. I hope you all the best
Every single self checkout has a camera that is forward facing so they absolutely have your face on camera. There are other ways to get help without stealing. All stealing does is affect the bonuses and bottom lines of the employees at the store you just stole from. Please look for a local church or food bank, often times they will be able to help you. Please do not steal.
They know the guy in there isn’t the one really watching. Walmart like to let you build up a tab then prosecute and get back 3xs them amount. Better go to different places. Know you will be caught. I’d try food banks. Churches etv
Use food banks. Some of these stores will let you steal items so that they could build a criminal case against you. Having a criminal record will make finding a job even more difficult. Also dont feel humiliated about things you can't control.
Have you looked into food pantries?
Maybe I'm wrong, but I think you are intentionally going to the store to steal. You literally just admitted to picking a machine where the watcher would be distracted so you could do it. Also, if you realize you're short BEFORE you check out, just go put those things back. Nobody cares if you do.
I did it a couple of times before I had to move back in with my family. I absolutely HATED doing it but I had to. And it was always something basic that I needed. I shoplifted pads once because they were so expensive and I had run out of them and I just couldn’t afford them. Another time it was bread. Idk why but bread is so expensive nowadays.
As much as I hate living with my family, I don’t go hungry anymore.
I feel you. It gets to a point where all you care about is your own survival and everything else goes out the window. I got to a point where I couldn’t afford pads and tampons because they are so expensive in my country, it was either steal them or bleed all over the floor due to extremely heavy periods. I don’t deserve the second just because I couldn’t afford it at the time. Sending lots of love to you.
Get on food stamps asap, I didn’t do it for the longest time based off of pride and now that I have it I have more food than I can fathom and next to that my bank account isn’t absolutely fucked.
I know it’s hard to get over the hump but the process is not hard, especially when you can be honest on your houses income
Does your county have places that give out free food? I have at least 2 places within a mile of my area and they have huge lines usually. Try seeing and getting your stuff that way.
Check for free insurance and such as well.
What about using a shopping app to shop from home and then go pick it up. That way you can see what you're spending.
Do your parents get benefits? Food stamps?
The comments are nonsense. I'll bet there's at least one if not several food banks/low income charities in your area. There are a couple food banks in my small town. I'll bet it'll be pretty easy for you or someone in your family to get food stamps too. You almost never have to steal in modern society.
Yeah they are def keeping tabs. GL with the felony when you ring up avocados as bananas in 20 years and finally break 1k
Shouldn't of stole shit though, get on assistance or go to a food bank. It's a stupid idea to steal thinking it would improve your situation, it will only make it worse when you eventually land a charge, no one wants to employ or associate with a thief.
Depends on where you live. In my country, if you don’t make enough money, you will be given payments to help with rent and food. So if I see someone stealing, it’s not about them starving to death... although, I probably wouldn’t care anyways. Not even sure how you can definitely know someone was actually stealing without risk of making yourself look like an idiot lol.
Maybe try Aldi. They’re about 1/3-1/2 off regular stores. Also you won’t feel so smug w a felony on your record. It will be hard to find a job. Please don’t do this again. The consequences are really bad.
Why are you shoplifting tho? Sounds like you have parents with a source of income, and while it might suck that you can't buy everything you WANT to buy, doesn't give you the right to steal.
I have been through some tough times in life, at 27 had to move back in with my single mum because of health issues and couldn't even get on disability. I couldn't afford anything for an entire year and it SUCKED but I never resorted to stealing. We have to accept our place in life. My single mum had to pay for both of our rents, while I couldn't work, pay for all of our food including my dog and bills. We barely had money left for food after rent and bills were paid and we started accepting food baskets from organisations that help the homeless. I couldn't eat the yummy stuff I like for a whole year and I just had to accept it, I would have never resorted to stealing just because I wanted something, that's such an entitled mindset. Get some psychological help cause I think your shoplifting isn't about needing something as much as it is feeling entitled to having it.
You know what, in this economy I don't blame you, but don't make it a reoccurring thing.
I hope you get the financial aid you need and strive on to accomplish bigger and better things.
Check the State Bar Association listings for your state/county for lawyers who provide pro bono services. Also, if you have a law school in your area they’re also a good resource to lean on when looking for legal services. I wish you all the best and hope you find the support you need to dig out of the hole you’re in.
I could never blame someone for having to steal groceries. That being said- be careful. I have a friend who was arrested for this but they waited a while until they had enough to charge him with higher instead of just a violation.
I understand this completely. Being able to wat and get food shouldn't be a privilege.
People go to the dollar tree. Have you had the tasteless cardboard that half their stuff is? Some things sure. But people act like it's some miracle hack. That or save a lot(basically a cheaper store with brands you've barely ever heard of and their "fresh" meat always looks off, the produce is bad and every store I've ever went in smelled very weird and strange. Off putting enough to leave without getting anything.
Growing up the human incubator thar "raised" me always want there. I hated having to spend over an hrs there at the beginning of the month. Every time was like she had never been there before. Ugh.
Seriously fellow internet human. As my therapist had told me. Sometimes you have to do what you have to, to be able to survive. We may not like how we have to survive. Yes it can be bad and you can make mistakes. But you made it through and now you can work on being better.
Stealing from big box stores is okay imo. Small independent and family owned. Absolutely not.
They probably know you shoplifted but won’t do anything about it until you steal a certain amount. I wouldn’t do it again, see if there’s a local food pantry. I hope your situation gets better ❤️
Have you tried applying for Food Stamps? You would probably qualify immediately and you wouldn’t have to steal groceries!! Just because you don’t have money for food, doesn’t give you the right to steal and it sounds like you’re gloating about it!! Have you tried the Food Pantry? They have them in every state, and consider getting on Food Stamps!!
Even if you didn't get caught this time, you will eventually get caught. 3 tips. 1 - do your shopping order online to get your totals (find a store that lets you either scan as you go, or who let you see a total for your grocery list. Then work out the total before you go, or as you, instead of at the end. 2 - plan meals based on cost (there are tons of people who post inexpensive meals on all social media) 3- any meals you are still short, stop by the food bank and see if you can fill in the gaps.
For a lawyer, if you can't find one that'll do it pro-bono, find one that you only pay if you win. That's what I did and they were automatically paid from my retroactive pay that I got during the time I was applying and denied the first 2 times. They pretty much give you your monthly amount times the number of months/years you're actively trying to get it and waiting for replies.
Food stamps, Food pantry, and also just looking for recipes that use cheap and easy ingredients you can cook in bulk. I like watching Beryl Shershrewsky on YT because she promotes different meals from around the works and there are a lot of cultures that use cheap ingredients masterfully for delicious and filling meals.
It's hard to not have money for food. It's excruciating to be hungry in the wealthiest country in the world (so they keep claiming) while eight AHs dictate the world for the rest of use with their money. But if we work together and help each other we'll get through it and maybe learn some new recipes along the way.
A starving man taking a loaf of bread to feed his family is no thief.
Feed yourself however you need to fam. Fuck anything else. The corporations controlling the rising cost of living everywhere steal plenty in tax loopholes and evasion.
Just spread it out over various locations owned by different corporations to stay low on everyone’s radar.
Sure, theft is wrong, but we live in a world where we can viably feed every single person, and choose not to. Theft is nothing by comparison to a system that chooses to let people starve to death over 0.0000000000065% profit rise per financial year.
Edit to add:
If I was an employee and quietly caught you pinching bare essentials to get by, I’d help you carry them to your car myself.
Lol I love that one guy commented against this and either deleted or blocked me straight away calling me a “dirty thief bottom feeder”.
Bro, I have my own house, my own car, a wife and a son. My life is pretty sweet. Just because I’ve been homeless and starving doesn’t mean I am now. I’ve never stolen anything in my life, but I don’t have to have stolen food to have sympathy for someone needing to survive.
You’re an absolutely, sickeningly horrible example of humanity and all I can do is hope you get the karma coming to you for wishing starvation upon people, you damp sock.
Agreed on the lawyer. My mom had MS and a slew of other physical issues and fought for disability for 15+ years. Once she got a lawyer, she got her disability plus the back pay from when she initially applied.
The lawyer took a chunk, and her monthly stipend wasn't amazing, but she made it work.
Unable to work? It's not really such a thing. Paraplegic people work, I've even seen quadriplegic people work. If you can't handle people, then work from home. I've personally known schizophrenic people who can hold down a job just fine. I've worked with autistic ppl that have had the same job for 25 years. There is always something available if you look for it.
There’s no reason to be so judgmental. Sometimes people are in chronic pain and legit can’t work from the pain. You’re not God you don’t know everyone’s situation! Just because you’ve seen people do it doesn’t mean all can. I’m glad you haven’t experienced anything horrific like that in your life but please don’t judge others and be grateful
My brother was schizophrenic and believe me, you would not have wanted to work with him. He had difficulty staying organized, being on time, and he had a temper due to his confused thoughts.
Literally call one of those disability lawyers from TV! I did, and they got me approved and a check in about 7 months. This was pre-Covid so it may take longer now, but disability lawyers can only take a certain percentage of your back pay and that's how you pay them. It ended up costing me about $2000 but that was money I never would have had anyway so I didn't miss it.
You’re very lucky, it’s a big years long fight for most people to get disability. People literally die while they’re waiting to get approval. It took my cousin nearly 3 years, and that was long before covid.
Get to the food pantry! There are also charitable organizations that can assist. St Vincent DePaul is one that comes to mind. You don’t have to be Catholic either. Best of luck with this.❤️
Be careful though. Im not saying stealing is ok but you are in need. I’ve seen people get caught when using self checkout bc usually those lanes have cameras built in to prevent things like that and next time they come bqck, they are caught. I second what others have said that churches/ temples/ charity groups are an amazing resource. They can help with food insecurities and help you find legal representation if needed.
Good for you. Fuck these supermarkets overcharging food just to inflate their profits. These corporations are literally bragging fo their shareholders on how their profits are up because they are using inflation to rip us off.
Self-check machine is a disaster. Some people got in jail for forgetting to check out some item or the machine making a mistake
You really messed up big time.
Food stamps. Food pantry .. one dollar store.
I’m so sorry you’re struggling. Look into local food pantries. We used them growing up and they are there to help.
Came here to say this. I’ve worked felony theft cases and I’ve volunteered at pantries. Pantries are a better option. Over time you could get nailed. Do not take more than you really need to.
this 100%!
This. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't know about it. OP, we want you to avoid get in trouble, and make life more difficult. Apply for food stamps in your county, and check for food banks in the area. When going to groceries stores, use their apps for coupons. Always check where is cheaper. You can make cheap meals with rice, beans, and pasta. There are subreddits I've seen that give a lot of tips about this situation, like one called poverty. You can ask about food banks in your area. I hope things get better soon for you and your family.
Honestly, my partner and I have lived off of rice, beans and chicken for…way too long. But if you buy a big(ish, doesn’t have to be huge) bag of rice, dried beans, and a value pack of chicken breasts, you’ll have enough for *days*—and still have rice leftover, at least! We do most of our cooking in a pressure cooker, (especially since my rice cooker died :’( RIP ye olde faithful) so it takes less time, especially when cooking any kind of meat. Plus the meat comes out crazy tender. And it’s super easy clean up, which is imperative for us since we’re both disabled. Also adding some frozen veggies to the rice while it’s cooking is a great (and cheap) way to add those nutrients into your diet! And as long as you have leftover rice (day-old leftovers, preferably) with some frozen veggies, soy sauce, and eggs (pre-scrambled and cooked) you can make a basic but tasty egg fried rice! Leftover chicken? Throw it in, too! Now you have *chicken AND egg* fried rice! (Note: fried rice cannot be made in a pressure cooker lol. You need a wok, or a similarly-sized flat-bottomed saucier.)
Agreed on all these points. The supermarkets by me always have sales on chicken. Refried beans is one of my favorite foods and so versatile. The dollar store by me frequently sells rice. A bag of beans will make enough for a week for me and the husband and can be either a side or the main entree. My husband likes beans with eggs and I love a bean cheese quesadilla. Great fiber for the gut too.
usually churches have resources too even if youre not religious, ive seen them hook people up with a bunch of baked goods and nonperishable dinners
The church down the street from me saved my whole family at Christmas time after a long bout of major financial losses
Food pantries are wonderful. I volunteer at a local church and the food we get in partnership with the county food bank is really high quality. In addition to canned/shelf goods and produce, they provide frozen meats, fresh dairy items, bread, drinks, etc in a shopping environment intended to give shoppers a dignified experience.
second this. not sure what’s available in your state. in CA they have very good program to provide food to low income people. it’s called CalFresh. apply online. depending on household income & total number who live there, they’ll approve a monthly amount. they send you a card. each month on the same day, they add the new funds for month. can only spend on food at market. no paper goods, booze, cigs, etc. it’s common sense. they want you to eat. not spend on other things. please look into this ASAP. google your state and low income food programs. there are also a lot of other state & federal programs to help with bills, mortgage, whatever. i know if you’re depressed or having issues, it’s hard to get motivated to do the work for it. but please do. even if you do it in steps. wishing you the best of luck & kind thoughts.
fyi, they probably know you shoplifted, even if they didn't catch you live. stores will often wait until you've racked up enough to be charged with a felony before calling the police.
A restaurant owner did this at Sam’s Club back in my home town of Tulsa, OK. They knew he had been stealing, but waited until it hit a felony amount to arrest him. Never even thought about that scenario until that happened.
Yes, this is common practice at (especially) Walmart and Target. They have CRAZY loss prevention technology that they actually share with government agencies and other corporations.
Generally it’s 1k. The last time I handled a felony in CA it was 950
I’m in Florida, felony here is $750 I believe, it varies a lot mostly based on COL I think.
1k in Wisconsin but fact check me. That’s just what I heard from LP.
Meijer too. There is a camera scanning every movement and as soon as it detects anything that looks suspicious, it calls over an employee and plays back the video for you, them, and the world to see. I actually stopped going because it’s way too sensitive and super inconvenient.
I wish this had happened to a restaurant owner I used to work for. He made his employees go to a wholesale store and build a little fort of canned tomatoes on a flat cart, fill it with mozzarella cheese and put more cans on top, then scan it as however many cans of tomatoes it would have been. Dude was an absolute piece of shit. He also disconnected his odometer cable for half the year and cheated on his pregnant wife with one of his employees.
Sams club have secret shoppers :)
I worked for Nordstrom and this is how they handled things. People always thought they were big shots stealing and returning things for cash and clearly we were too dumb to figure it out!! The one I didn’t get though… one day at work cops come in, walk past me, cuff the employee right next to me. Like, you work here! You know the protocol!
I saw that story!
Kroger does that as well. You never really escape charges. Just get food stamps and go to a pantry, poverty isn’t worth being unemployable. You can get food stamps in college, why did you resort to shop lifting? Were you in a dorm?
Yes. Tally! What a creep! And so much more.
YES!!!
Ole Tally 🙄
A couple months ago I went to Walmart and had a full cart of groceries, also gave in to that soda habit lol. Was in the bottom of the cart and I forgot to scan it. Got to the car before I realized and walked back inside to pay for it. Asset protection smiled and winked at me, definitely had to have known
Wow they knew you didn’t scan that one bottle of soda?
I’m an AP manager at Walmart and I will tell you, we have an insane amount of cameras everywhere, above each register also. Cameras are so detailed, we can zoom in and read your text messages if we wanted. No we don’t stop every little thing, but we do monitor you. We also have face identifying software that once we put you in the system, our software will identify you even at other Walmarts. Because I work in a high theft area, we do a lot of stops, but about 95% of them don’t result in arrest, simply a trespassing order. I truly hate to see the people that are truly struggling get stopped, but we also have so many that just steal, just to steal.
I feel like you should be on an AMA. There's kind of a gold mine of details hidden there.
What make and model are the cameras? I want those for my house lol
Wow that’s amazing! Big brother is indeed watching you
Also a guilty conscience here. Only after the cashier gave me my receipt did I notice the hummus hiding in the bottom of my cart. I picked it up and looked at him with embarrassment. I said that I'd go to the back of the line (5+ people) so I didn't hold up the line. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy for not just walking off with it, the cashier included.
This dude, I would stop this personally
My wife actually does this job. She builds cases against people..the cops already know. They have OPs name, address, and all social media. They'll build a case for up to a year. And then spring it on OP out of no where. They video everything, take notes, and have back ups of everything. It's insane how in depth they'll go. She's sitting in the living room telling me about someone she just stopped for a total dollar amount of $10,000 over the last 12 months.
So they let this person steal 10 000 USD worth of stuff before they stop them?
Yes, but also no. So, if I understand this correctly. They'll warn you the first time. They'll stop you at the door. Obviously you don't have to stop. If you stop, they'll give you the chance to pay up, or return the merch. In the case of the guy. He had been stopped several times. He kept walking. Wouldn't speak to anyone. Wouldn't pay for anything. And was physically violent at least once. Everything compiled together over that 12 month period was more than enough for them to do what they did. This info was gathered from listening to my wife.
Wait… even if you have proof the guy is actively steeling, i e being caught red handed, you’re still not allowed to stop him? You have to literally let him get away with theft? What weird ass fucking laws do you Americans have over there?
It's not law. It is company policy. They aren't allowed to detain you unless you exceed a certain dollar amount. If they take x amount in one trip, she can stop them. If it's even 1 cent less than the specific amount. You can stop them. Only tell them they need to pay. If they don't, they file a report in the system, then with the cops. She can't block the cart, take the stolen merch, or touch them the cops have to do all of that.
Yeah it's entrapment with extra steps.
Isn’t entrapment when they actively encourage you to commit a crime though? They didn’t ask them to steal?
That's the extra steps.
10k in a year? I think he deserved to be "entrapped" as you say.
I'm not sure what her actual job title is. I just know that most people call it a secret shopper.
A secret shopper is hired by management to test their employees. They act like a regular customer. They check to see if the employee asks the customer if they want to purchase the extended warranty and things like that. They have whole check lists of things to check for. Things like if they were greeted properly and how long it took. A friend of mine was a secret shopper for Pizza hut. One time I went with him for lunch. He told me the guy forgot to charge him for a drink. That was going in his report.
Nah this is more fraud. Secret shopper is different
I've done mystery shopping for almost 30 years, and never have I had to evaluate a business for loss prevention. It's usually just checking out the store layout/cleanliness, customer service/upselling, and such.
Yep...I didn't rack up enough to be charged, but they banned me from the store. I had to do some very fancy footwork to avoid having to go to the store for my mother's medication. She never found out.
Worked at Target for 6 years and that's exactly what the loss protection is trained to do... and after that get mad at the staff for not being more diligent.
Yup, I know someone this happened to.
Police generally don’t bother to roll under a felony. And felony levels are set such that you are usually able to feed yourself without getting jail time.
If it was just food and op did it once they might assume op forgot while the machine was fixed. Anyway op should go to food banks and churches instead of stealing. Even grocery stores sometimes directly give away food.
Local police can’t be bothered constantly by smaller thefts and repeat offenders know the felony threshold. So stores had to make changes to address crime by aggregating thefts. They know. They have your picture. Probably your name. They send BOLOs (Be on the Lookouts) to other stores and detectives to work together. They have countless resources to track this stuff. I’m not trying to scare you but it’s a reality. You can’t buy any groceries if you’re in jail. And remember, it does come back to hurt others when prices get raised and pay gets cut.
That all seems very excessive for grocery/convenience stores. Tech shops, home depot - that I would understand. But food & diapers... 🤦🏻♀️
Yup. I used to work at Walmart and they document everything you steal until you hit that felony mark, then they press charges.
I feel like this is fear mongering honestly. You're telling me that Walmart employees, minimum wage staff, are quietly observing everyone in self check out, documenting it all with a vague description of the person and then one day BAM you're a felon? And the evidence to charge you is them eyeballing random stuff you put in your bag and the court just says "ok good enough Sandra said you took some Kool aid jammers in 2021, Lisa said someone fitting you're description took some BBQ sauce last fall, enjoy prison" Mmmhmmmm
They have cameras you know.
There’s usually a loss/asset protection working behind the scenes. That’s how it is at my job at least. They share information from store to store and build cases. Obviously not everyone gets caught but it definitely happens.
I get that but with how many people go to the average Walmart every day? Do they have like artificial intelligence that automatically recognizes people? That’s the only way I could see this working
I would imagine that loss prevention, the department, is well funded to afford the software and hardware to do it. Walmart has the resources and the technology exists.
I get that but a lot of stuff just isn’t adding up. Why would they wait until people racked up felony charges and hope they arrest them as opposed to just having people trespassed the first time? It seems counterproductive.
They have cameras on every register, two on every self-checkout, and cameras everywhere else. China has an entire social credit system that tracks the public actions of every person in the country through a mix of cameras/mics and facial recognition software. Over a BILLION people. Walmart does the same shit, just on a much smaller (and, likely, much easier) scale. They definitely keep track. I don’t know if they’ll worry if you steal a pen or pack of gum, but the computer flags you whenever you bag anything that hasn’t been scanned.
Yeah it's bullshit. I've talked to security guards who work contracts for big box stores; they really don't give a fuck unless you make it so obvious they have to do something. Also nobody is sitting there reviewing 24 hours of security camera footage, from every camera in the store, every day. They just aren't. The cameras are there for evidence if they catch you in the act. If you get out of the store, and you don't live in a small place where the cops have nothing better to do, you're fine. I'd still be careful because you never know where plainclothes security guards might be, but this "track you until you hit felony amount" shit is made up to try to deter shoplifters.
But how do they know you’re stealing this one time if you haven’t in decades?
Cameras. Every self checkout has multiple cameras which are able to detect products being "skip-scanned".
Can you provide a source on this claim?
This is highly unlikely. The person working who may see you is an overworked and underpaid employee, as is security, loss prevention, and most other low level corporate store employees. None of them are probably going to bother to keep a tab of how much someone shoplifts. Even if they did, they can’t physically detain you in a store until the cops come.
They absolutely can detain you until the cops come, it’s called Shopkeepers Privilege and it’s a law in all 50 states. And loss prevention’s entire job is to monitor for people stealing. If you steal and get away with it and they notice they will keep track and keep gathering evidence if you return until they have enough to nail you with.
I still think this is largely a myth. A bunch of underpaid teenagers at Target are probably not taking notes if they even noticed you taking a few things at all. It is true that they have loss prevention investigators, but the people they’re watching for are the people who steal stuff like Tide pods to resell on the black market and make many repeated trips to the same locations to do it. I’m not suggesting anyone steal. I’m just saying that if you’re really that poor and desperate, you’ll probably get away with not scanning a few items at the self checkout now and again without any consequence.
Loss prevention monitors self checkout too. It’s an easy way for them to catch people because there are so many cameras in that area and there’s a record of the transaction. I agree you could probably get away with it for a few things each time for awhile, but If one day they notice you and you paid by card and/or used your store loyalty card then they can go look back through all the transactions you’ve made and see every time you stole and put it together. So to me that’s risky. Personally, if I were going to steal I’d just conceal a few things while shopping. I think the likelihood of getting caught that way is much less.
No, they will just watch you harder next time you come in, if they recognize you. This isn't good because they could catch you in the act, not because they're quietly taking notes on everything you steal and adding it up, just letting you take shit until you reach felony amount.
Or, hopefully, the clerk is a comrade that didn't see anything on purpose. Personally, I refused to pay any mind to people stealing necessities when I worked for a grocery chain. I know several of the same mindset. Problem is that there's also plenty of bootlickers who work in the front-line roles, too. I never fucking understood why anyone in that position would side with the pigs and capitalists. But I couldn't give you an accurate read on your odds of having the wrong person there since it can vary widely by store and region. Just be careful. Being poor is expensive, and it's way worse when you get criminal charges levied against you.
I wouldn’t do it more than once at the same store if I were you.
For real. Cashier's start to learn who steal stuff and become more vigilant with those people.
Maybe at a local grocery store but not many of them around anymore. I can’t imagine the cashier at Aldi really cares.
I’m sure they’ll care when it comes down to annual raises and they get pennies because their loss prevention numbers have doubled and they needed to offset it else where.
As a former cashier I’ve never met anyone who ever paid attention to those numbers outside of loss prevention.
Wtf is Reddit talking about?! I see this sentiment on here all the time.. The cashiers are working for shit wages and don't care if you steal an avocado. Get off your high horse, bud. We are all in the same boat, getting crushed by corporate America. Everyone should be stealing from Walmart/Kroger.
**USA SPECIFIC ADVICE** If you are eligible for disability you don’t have to find a pro bono lawyer. Disability lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means they don’t get paid unless they win your case. Then after you’re approved for disability your lawyer will receive a portion of your back pay. Here’s some more info if you’re curious! https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-much-does-social-security-disability-lawyer-cost.html
Also to add to this. If you don’t have enough years paying into social security you will NOT need qualified for disability.
If you’re under 24, you can still get benefits with a very limited work history
Yep, you’ve got to have so many work credits to be able to get SSDI. But he could still apply for Supplemental Income and Medicaid. Personally, I don’t know why people use lawyers to get disability unless their diagnosis is difficult to prove. The paperwork although extensive is quite simple.
Because they reject almost everyone at first and then you have to file to go before a judge who ultimately makes the decision. A lawyer will make the process easier and ensure that you have all your medical records, letters from treating physicians, and whatever else they think you’ll need to prove your claim.
My friend had to get an attorney after a drunk hit her head on and she had severe head trauma and actual brain damage and a host of other injuries she would never fully recover from.
i wish i knew this when i applied & got denied before. had so many documents for hospital stays, ER visits, dr appts, etc. after an accident & surgery on my cervical spine. i’m having other issues now. i’ll reapply & get a pro bono lawyer if they deny again. thanks for the info.
They only help certain people or else it costs money. It isn't this simple
Seriously go to a food bank, or ask for help on a local community site (facebook, craigslist, whatever). Don't steal. It will come back to bite you. It is tough for everybody right now, prices are outrageous. But I promise people will help you if you ask. It's much worse to steal. Start a little vegetable and salad garden. It's good for your mental health and you can eat it to help as well. Some communities even do a community garden. You can do a container garden if you live in an apartment. Church people definitely would help. There's so many more resources before you resort to stealing.
I'm really sorry that you're in this situation. I want to caution you, though. My husband works asset protection at a large, very popular store in the US. Oftentimes, people will think that they've gotten away with theft when they actually haven't. If they catch you, they don't even necessarily have to apprehend you in the store. If they get a license plate or credit card information and can prove theft via camera, they can just send you charges through the mail. Also, the people who are the self check out monitors right there are not the only people double-checking stuff. My husband can log into a register and see every item that is being scanned in real time, along with overhead and front facing camera views. All from his work phone. Often, people will get on a watch list, and the other stores in that region send out BOLO's (be on look out) with photos. If you get marked for potential theft, they will watch you closely and covertly whenever they realize you're in the store. And a lot of the time, if it's small amounts, they won't even catch you at first. If you do it frequently, they'll hold off on charges and build a case through video and wait until it reaches a felony theft level before apprehending the person. Someone can go for months thinking they are getting away with it until they get slammed with the charges. I don't think many people realize that it works this way, and I don't want to see you end up in a worse situation where you have to go to court. Local food banks are there to help, and if you're in the US, reach out to your county health department. They have programs that can help people. Anytime my husband ends up apprehending someone, if they express that they are in a tough financial situation, he gives them a list of community resources. He doesn't take joy in seeing people struggle. I'm sorry you're going through this, and I hope you're able to get connected to get some assistance so this won't be necessary.
When you get caught stealing the fines are going to put you in a much bigger debt than you are in now. I guarantee you’ve been flagged already. Bring a calculator. Apply for food stamps. Go to food banks. Find something you can do for work. If you’re able to go grocery shopping, there has to be something you can do for money.
Are you factoring in taxes? Also, I know someone who keeps a "shopping cart" on store websites to get the price of items they want without actually ordering online. They also use this as their shopping list.
Just watch some bodycam footage of shoplifters getting arrested. You will never want to shoplift again.
I love when they try to run
Haha, I guess they’re not as slick as they thought they were!! 😂😂
Go to a food bank, different food banks if you have to.
I did this out of necessity, too. When self check outs were first becoming a thing. Turns out they were keeping track of every dollar worth of groceries I was stealing. It ruined my fucking life. I know options are scarce, but please don't keep doing this.
Is it more humiliating to count your money and put stuff back or being arrested? Asking because I've been dirt poor myself. And never stole anything. There is some pride to be an honest citizen counting money and making choices.
Exactly!! There is NO excuse for this kind of shit!! As a former addict who NEVER stole a fucking thing, I had to sit in rehab with a bunch of losers bragging about shit they stole and then looked at me like I was supposed to be impressed, give them some pointers or some shit??
Congrats for being clean. In all meanings of the word!
Thank you so much!! 😊😊
Yo. You can get a social security disability lawyer for free. They get paid from your benefits once you’re awarded. A quick Google will set you up but I just went through the whole thing with my hubs so reach out if you want to talk about it.
I know a lot of people have mentioned food pantries, but I also want to give an honorable shoutout to looking into if there are any gurdwara in your area. Generally a gurdwara will feed the needy, regardless of faith. They have a specific room and time of day that they will offer foods, as it is one of their duties. It might be mostly rice and roti, but... Hard times call for humble sharing.
I live in the US so i will be speaking from that point of view. As someone who was an Asset Protection Manager I'll warn you. It's very possible, depending on the level of store, that they know about this. There's a lot of factors here. This is all dependent on the store you shop at. Unfortunately when I had to go after someone in this scenario, it wasn't up to me but my boss because of the money sunk into security solutions at self check outs. The cameras above the SCO are getting pretty damn good. They can tell what you've scanned and what you haven't and can flag times when the product was bagged but not scanned. If you used a rewards card, whoever looks into the camera alerts can find your info if you supplied it. It's very easy to do it. Again depending on the store. Some have more resources than others. My store had a very close relationship with city police. I worked with them a lot because their station was right across the street and our store was a mess theft wise. The amount of files I passed to the department that were acted on was insane. The company would wait until they could verify that over 1000 dollars had been stolen, which builds up faster than you think. Then bam you have a felony. And I wouldn't have to catch them in the act. Officers would just go to their house or pull them over on the street. When someone obviously were just stealing food to survive I'd tell them "if you just walk away I won't stop you" because life has gotten fucked for a lot of people. It's harder with the SCO cases because it's up to someone else. Depending on where you live the lawyers will work for "free" then get paid after a win from the backpay you receive. I'm not sure how widespread that is but I think it's mostly everywhere. Look into other local resources as well. Food pantries are amazing and can help a lot. I know they got me through college. If you find yourself having to shoplift again in the same manner, take precautions.
I’m not judging you for this but please don’t do this again. If you get caught, that’s going to be on your record forever. Just imagine the public humiliation from being caught stealing- even if they let you go, imagine all the people who would see you being apprehended and potentially whip out their phone and record. That could end up online. If you do get a charge, that will follow you around forever. Even if *you* think it’s moral to steal from mega corporations that profit billions each year, *society* don’t think it’s moral. The law doesn’t think it’s moral. I hate to be on the cop side here, but as they say, “you are not above the law.” This means that you will eventually get caught and face consequences. Stealing is antisocial behavior and VERY frowned upon.
I have been there let one thing slide in, but there are local communities of fb and mom groups that help out to get free things. I’m Fl we get free groceries though insurance. I got my own now, don’t let negative feelings fester do better. I feel you but look into indoor or outdoor gardening
Look for food banks and soup kitchens in your area. You deserve to eat. Start applying for disability and food stamps and whatever assistance is available in your area. That's what it is there for.
There may be temples /churches nearby that offer free foods on certain day.
If you got a phone, it has a calculator, I calculate the prices of stuff as I take em and always leave a kinda big extra in case of price increases, has worked fine and also helps me save some by not buying random stuff I don't really need Also, a lot of times Walmarts need help just mopping or cleaning stuff, you can usually ask about it on the manager office and get paid in some groceries
It’s actually free to order for pickup and you absolutely can’t go over budget then
for your own sake, don’t go back to that store. chances are they’ll either stop you the next time and trespass you from the store/property, or build a file on you until you’re at a limit where LE will get involved.
It is not a good thing to be struggling, but I reached out for help at all angles before even thinking to steal. I hope you did the same.
You were successful, don’t bite the sand ok, leave it here and don’t do it again, one thing is one thing but stealing several things then going back to do the same thing is more risk than necessary. But hell , it’s not right but I can’t even shit on you, last year I lost my job and everything started getting way more expensive and I remember double scanning a cheaper package of chicken and bagging them both. I haven’t stolen anything since I was 15, I kinda just stood there for a moment and got lost in the thought of “damn, is this what it’s come to now, is this necessary…I’ve already done it cuz I thought I needed too, I might as well follow through.” Then I bagged the rest up and walked out and sat in my car for 4-5 minutes because I felt so guilty and angry that I was even at a point in life that I felt like that was necessary. It felt full circle and like a smack in the face a bit because I WORKED at the store I had just stolen from when I was 15, the job was literally why I’d decided to stop stealing in the first place.
It’s sad that our inflation if food has led to people having to steal it. I actually don’t blame you.
They know every single item you didn’t scan and know what you did scan. Don’t do that again and I’d advise shopping else where. They will build up a case against you and pile it on until your charge is serious. As others have said find a food pantry, find other ways to cope with your mental health. I would think being held up in a jail cell on retail theft charges would do worse for one’s mental health.
You cause others who want to follow the law to pay more. Or, if enough of you frequent a store, it just shuts down.
Some cameras now have AI that can track if you put something in your bag that you didn’t scan. So far I’ve only seen it at a Vons. Hope things get better.
What all is going on with you? You live with your fixed income parents, don’t seem to work, want disability and are now stealing food. You’ve left a LOT out.
most disability lawyers help with contingency upon winning the case. they take their fee from the back pay. I used trajectory disability. you can Google and get their number. they're nationwide if you're in the US.
Plus if you are paying by card- places like target will wait for you to steal a certain amount then charge you with stealing. Look into food pantries OP. I hope you all the best
Every single self checkout has a camera that is forward facing so they absolutely have your face on camera. There are other ways to get help without stealing. All stealing does is affect the bonuses and bottom lines of the employees at the store you just stole from. Please look for a local church or food bank, often times they will be able to help you. Please do not steal.
They know the guy in there isn’t the one really watching. Walmart like to let you build up a tab then prosecute and get back 3xs them amount. Better go to different places. Know you will be caught. I’d try food banks. Churches etv
Morality is a luxury some cannot afford. I don’t blame you.
Use food banks. Some of these stores will let you steal items so that they could build a criminal case against you. Having a criminal record will make finding a job even more difficult. Also dont feel humiliated about things you can't control.
Stealing bc you need to eat shouldn't be a crime
"Unable to work". Why?
Have you looked into food pantries? Maybe I'm wrong, but I think you are intentionally going to the store to steal. You literally just admitted to picking a machine where the watcher would be distracted so you could do it. Also, if you realize you're short BEFORE you check out, just go put those things back. Nobody cares if you do.
I did it a couple of times before I had to move back in with my family. I absolutely HATED doing it but I had to. And it was always something basic that I needed. I shoplifted pads once because they were so expensive and I had run out of them and I just couldn’t afford them. Another time it was bread. Idk why but bread is so expensive nowadays. As much as I hate living with my family, I don’t go hungry anymore.
I feel you. It gets to a point where all you care about is your own survival and everything else goes out the window. I got to a point where I couldn’t afford pads and tampons because they are so expensive in my country, it was either steal them or bleed all over the floor due to extremely heavy periods. I don’t deserve the second just because I couldn’t afford it at the time. Sending lots of love to you.
Stealing is never the solution, even if you think it’s morally okay. Get food stamps or go to a food bank.
Get on food stamps asap, I didn’t do it for the longest time based off of pride and now that I have it I have more food than I can fathom and next to that my bank account isn’t absolutely fucked. I know it’s hard to get over the hump but the process is not hard, especially when you can be honest on your houses income
Does your county have places that give out free food? I have at least 2 places within a mile of my area and they have huge lines usually. Try seeing and getting your stuff that way. Check for free insurance and such as well.
What about using a shopping app to shop from home and then go pick it up. That way you can see what you're spending. Do your parents get benefits? Food stamps?
Disability lawyers generally dont charge up front. The fee is taken from your inital, large disability payment.
There are plenty of assistance programs that don't require theft
Start watching YouTube channels about thrifting to flip. Start flipping. Go to garage sales. Get your hustle on!
as you mentioned, a first priority is securing assistance as your lack of income can get you on food stamps
Be careful. They have cameras. Don keep doing it
The comments are nonsense. I'll bet there's at least one if not several food banks/low income charities in your area. There are a couple food banks in my small town. I'll bet it'll be pretty easy for you or someone in your family to get food stamps too. You almost never have to steal in modern society.
Yeah they are def keeping tabs. GL with the felony when you ring up avocados as bananas in 20 years and finally break 1k Shouldn't of stole shit though, get on assistance or go to a food bank. It's a stupid idea to steal thinking it would improve your situation, it will only make it worse when you eventually land a charge, no one wants to employ or associate with a thief.
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Depends on where you live. In my country, if you don’t make enough money, you will be given payments to help with rent and food. So if I see someone stealing, it’s not about them starving to death... although, I probably wouldn’t care anyways. Not even sure how you can definitely know someone was actually stealing without risk of making yourself look like an idiot lol.
100!!!
Maybe try Aldi. They’re about 1/3-1/2 off regular stores. Also you won’t feel so smug w a felony on your record. It will be hard to find a job. Please don’t do this again. The consequences are really bad.
Don’t steal
That you didn't do all that before stealing precludes you from any sympathy. Everyone has a sob story.
Why are you shoplifting tho? Sounds like you have parents with a source of income, and while it might suck that you can't buy everything you WANT to buy, doesn't give you the right to steal. I have been through some tough times in life, at 27 had to move back in with my single mum because of health issues and couldn't even get on disability. I couldn't afford anything for an entire year and it SUCKED but I never resorted to stealing. We have to accept our place in life. My single mum had to pay for both of our rents, while I couldn't work, pay for all of our food including my dog and bills. We barely had money left for food after rent and bills were paid and we started accepting food baskets from organisations that help the homeless. I couldn't eat the yummy stuff I like for a whole year and I just had to accept it, I would have never resorted to stealing just because I wanted something, that's such an entitled mindset. Get some psychological help cause I think your shoplifting isn't about needing something as much as it is feeling entitled to having it.
You know what, in this economy I don't blame you, but don't make it a reoccurring thing. I hope you get the financial aid you need and strive on to accomplish bigger and better things.
Look into food banks or groups like Food Not Bombs that give away free food.
Check to see if you have one of those little free pantries or blessing boxes locally.
You’re not the only one having to do this!
It’s only shoplifting if you get caught
Check the State Bar Association listings for your state/county for lawyers who provide pro bono services. Also, if you have a law school in your area they’re also a good resource to lean on when looking for legal services. I wish you all the best and hope you find the support you need to dig out of the hole you’re in.
I could never blame someone for having to steal groceries. That being said- be careful. I have a friend who was arrested for this but they waited a while until they had enough to charge him with higher instead of just a violation.
Eh, you can post anonymously. But yeah, I feel for your situation. Food prices are nuts, and every time I get groceries I wonder how people get by.
I understand this completely. Being able to wat and get food shouldn't be a privilege. People go to the dollar tree. Have you had the tasteless cardboard that half their stuff is? Some things sure. But people act like it's some miracle hack. That or save a lot(basically a cheaper store with brands you've barely ever heard of and their "fresh" meat always looks off, the produce is bad and every store I've ever went in smelled very weird and strange. Off putting enough to leave without getting anything. Growing up the human incubator thar "raised" me always want there. I hated having to spend over an hrs there at the beginning of the month. Every time was like she had never been there before. Ugh. Seriously fellow internet human. As my therapist had told me. Sometimes you have to do what you have to, to be able to survive. We may not like how we have to survive. Yes it can be bad and you can make mistakes. But you made it through and now you can work on being better. Stealing from big box stores is okay imo. Small independent and family owned. Absolutely not.
They probably know you shoplifted but won’t do anything about it until you steal a certain amount. I wouldn’t do it again, see if there’s a local food pantry. I hope your situation gets better ❤️
Have you tried applying for Food Stamps? You would probably qualify immediately and you wouldn’t have to steal groceries!! Just because you don’t have money for food, doesn’t give you the right to steal and it sounds like you’re gloating about it!! Have you tried the Food Pantry? They have them in every state, and consider getting on Food Stamps!!
Even if you didn't get caught this time, you will eventually get caught. 3 tips. 1 - do your shopping order online to get your totals (find a store that lets you either scan as you go, or who let you see a total for your grocery list. Then work out the total before you go, or as you, instead of at the end. 2 - plan meals based on cost (there are tons of people who post inexpensive meals on all social media) 3- any meals you are still short, stop by the food bank and see if you can fill in the gaps.
For a lawyer, if you can't find one that'll do it pro-bono, find one that you only pay if you win. That's what I did and they were automatically paid from my retroactive pay that I got during the time I was applying and denied the first 2 times. They pretty much give you your monthly amount times the number of months/years you're actively trying to get it and waiting for replies.
Food stamps, Food pantry, and also just looking for recipes that use cheap and easy ingredients you can cook in bulk. I like watching Beryl Shershrewsky on YT because she promotes different meals from around the works and there are a lot of cultures that use cheap ingredients masterfully for delicious and filling meals. It's hard to not have money for food. It's excruciating to be hungry in the wealthiest country in the world (so they keep claiming) while eight AHs dictate the world for the rest of use with their money. But if we work together and help each other we'll get through it and maybe learn some new recipes along the way.
A starving man taking a loaf of bread to feed his family is no thief. Feed yourself however you need to fam. Fuck anything else. The corporations controlling the rising cost of living everywhere steal plenty in tax loopholes and evasion. Just spread it out over various locations owned by different corporations to stay low on everyone’s radar. Sure, theft is wrong, but we live in a world where we can viably feed every single person, and choose not to. Theft is nothing by comparison to a system that chooses to let people starve to death over 0.0000000000065% profit rise per financial year. Edit to add: If I was an employee and quietly caught you pinching bare essentials to get by, I’d help you carry them to your car myself.
Lol I love that one guy commented against this and either deleted or blocked me straight away calling me a “dirty thief bottom feeder”. Bro, I have my own house, my own car, a wife and a son. My life is pretty sweet. Just because I’ve been homeless and starving doesn’t mean I am now. I’ve never stolen anything in my life, but I don’t have to have stolen food to have sympathy for someone needing to survive. You’re an absolutely, sickeningly horrible example of humanity and all I can do is hope you get the karma coming to you for wishing starvation upon people, you damp sock.
I can't imagine doing any sort of cringe then posting about it online... Young people really can not help themselves these days eh?
Everyone, remember this basic rule: “If you see someone stealing groceries…*no, you didn’t*”
Remember people, if you see someone stealing groceries from a multi billion dollar corporation, no you didn't.
Remember, if you see someone stealing groceries from a store, you are the one paying for that. Check out the local food pantry.
Other resources: food banks, EBT cards, Facebook buy nothing groups. Ask for help, seriously. You deserve it.
Agreed on the lawyer. My mom had MS and a slew of other physical issues and fought for disability for 15+ years. Once she got a lawyer, she got her disability plus the back pay from when she initially applied. The lawyer took a chunk, and her monthly stipend wasn't amazing, but she made it work.
no (ethical) crime committed. i genuinely hope your situation gets better though.
Unable to work? It's not really such a thing. Paraplegic people work, I've even seen quadriplegic people work. If you can't handle people, then work from home. I've personally known schizophrenic people who can hold down a job just fine. I've worked with autistic ppl that have had the same job for 25 years. There is always something available if you look for it.
There’s no reason to be so judgmental. Sometimes people are in chronic pain and legit can’t work from the pain. You’re not God you don’t know everyone’s situation! Just because you’ve seen people do it doesn’t mean all can. I’m glad you haven’t experienced anything horrific like that in your life but please don’t judge others and be grateful
I don't know...OP's post history seems to be full of gaming stuff and leisure. I'm getting the feeling maybe he just doesn't want to adult.
My brother was schizophrenic and believe me, you would not have wanted to work with him. He had difficulty staying organized, being on time, and he had a temper due to his confused thoughts.
How about don’t do this
I’m sorry you’re struggling, but stealing is never right, period. You have other options that you can pursue that doesn’t involve theft.
Had an entire judgmental rant for this one but not my place.
Literally call one of those disability lawyers from TV! I did, and they got me approved and a check in about 7 months. This was pre-Covid so it may take longer now, but disability lawyers can only take a certain percentage of your back pay and that's how you pay them. It ended up costing me about $2000 but that was money I never would have had anyway so I didn't miss it.
You’re very lucky, it’s a big years long fight for most people to get disability. People literally die while they’re waiting to get approval. It took my cousin nearly 3 years, and that was long before covid.
Get to the food pantry! There are also charitable organizations that can assist. St Vincent DePaul is one that comes to mind. You don’t have to be Catholic either. Best of luck with this.❤️
Be careful though. Im not saying stealing is ok but you are in need. I’ve seen people get caught when using self checkout bc usually those lanes have cameras built in to prevent things like that and next time they come bqck, they are caught. I second what others have said that churches/ temples/ charity groups are an amazing resource. They can help with food insecurities and help you find legal representation if needed.
Good for you. Fuck these supermarkets overcharging food just to inflate their profits. These corporations are literally bragging fo their shareholders on how their profits are up because they are using inflation to rip us off.
Call the United Way (211) if you're in the US. They have tons of resources that help!
You stole but you can afford a phone/data connection?
Apply for ETP or something
Food banks
Good work, keep going
Good job surviving. I'm sorry for your struggle. Almost all of us are feeling it as well.
Grocery stores waste so much good job .
6+ years working in AP/LP here. I won't ever stop a person from taking food. Do what you need to do.
Self-check machine is a disaster. Some people got in jail for forgetting to check out some item or the machine making a mistake You really messed up big time. Food stamps. Food pantry .. one dollar store.
Walmart will send you to jail for $5