You probably spend more time shopping in the winter months, so you should be aware of how stores deter people from shoplifting. Sometimes store employees will catch a person in the act of taking an item without paying for it, but there are times when an innocent individual becomes accused of retail theft.
Hopefully, you will never have to deal with charges of shoplifting, but in the event it happens, you might benefit from understanding how store managers equip their stores to prevent theft. It is possible such measures may help you contest the charges.
Security camera footage
The Motley Fool explains that security cameras are one-way stores track the movements and actions of customers. You may have spotted these cameras in the stores you frequent. So if a store manager accuses you of theft, you should request a look at the security camera footage at the time you were in the store.
Witness testimony
If you had a friend or family member with you, you may have a witness to bolster your account that you did not steal anything. Also, pay attention to any nearby sales staff. Some stores keep several staff workers on the sales floor to deter shoplifters. This may be to your advantage since one or more sales workers may have been around you at the time of the supposed theft and might confirm your account.
The layout and upkeep of the store
Some stores also try to prevent theft by keeping their stores well organized and eliminating blind spots with the help of wall mirrors. If you had shopped at a well-maintained store, you may point out that there were no blind spots or hidden areas that could have allowed you to slip merchandise into a bag or your clothing without notice.
These examples show the different avenues to defend against retail theft charges. Ultimately, how you should contest shoplifting charges will depend on the specific circumstances of your case.
