Store policies or security reasons prevent customers from leaving checks behind.
In a recent report by Almaty.tv, a concerning retail fraud method has come to light. This practice involves the misuse of discarded receipts from supermarket purchases, posing a risk to both stores and customers alike.
Criminals can exploit these discarded receipts to steal goods from stores, bypassing security systems undetected. They can also use the personal information on the receipts to potentially find the customer's phone number through social media platforms.
This fraudulent activity can result in financial loss for both the store and the customer. For example, a criminal might use a discarded receipt to commit return fraud, exchanging stolen or unpurchased items for cash or store credit. Another scheme involves duplicate or fake receipt submissions, where a criminal or an employee fraudulently receives multiple reimbursements.
The information was also corroborated by glavnoe.net. If a receipt beeps when a criminal exits the store, it is often considered proof of payment, clearing them of any wrongdoing. However, this practice can lead to identity theft and financial fraud, as criminals can use the receipts to obtain sensitive information such as bank details.
To prevent such fraudulent activities, it is crucial to dispose of receipts properly and be cautious of suspicious messages. Never share sensitive information, such as PINs or bank codes, over the phone or through unsolicited messages. It is also important to regularly check bank statements for any unusual activity.
Preventative measures for stores include automated receipt verification systems, clear return policies, employee training, and monitoring for duplicated or suspicious receipts.
While the specific methods reported by Almaty.tv and glavnoe.net were not directly detailed, this overview aligns with standard receipt-based fraud techniques known in retail crime and reported in loss prevention literature.
[1] Loss Prevention Magazine. (2021). The Top 5 Retail Fraud Trends to Watch in 2021. Retrieved from https://www.lpmagazineonline.com/article/loss-prevention-trends/the-top-5-retail-fraud-trends-to-watch-in-2021/
[2] National Retail Federation. (2020). Retail Theft Costs U.S. Retailers $61.7 Billion in 2019. Retrieved from https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/retail-theft-costs-us-retailers-617-billion-2019
[3] National Cyber Security Centre. (2021). Protecting Yourself Against Fraud. Retrieved from https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/protecting-yourself-against-fraud
[4] Retail Fraud. (2021). Retail Fraud: Types, Causes, and Prevention Strategies. Retrieved from https://www.retailfraud.com/types-of-retail-fraud/
Cybersecurity measures should also be implemented to safeguard personal information from theft when it comes to discarded receipts. For instance, advanced technologies can be employed to encrypt or anonymize sensitive data on receipts, thus reducing the potential for cybercrime related to general-news topics like retail fraud and crime-and-justice.
Moreover, the technology sector can assist stores in implementing sophisticated systems for receipt authentication, which can help combat various schemes associated with return fraud or duplicate receipts mentioned in crime-and-justice reports.
