The following is a list of common shoplifting techniques. Store clerks and security personnel are trained to watch for and prevent all of these techniques.

Quick-grab

In the "quick-grab" technique, the method is simple. The thief quickly grabs the item they want, and places it into their clothing. And runs out of the store.<br>

Disrupt and help

This method is the one that might be more commonly known. The thief "accidentally" bumps into a display rack or similar. While picking up the items to seem helpful, they grab one or more of the items and place them in clothing.<br>

Stealing CD/DVD keys/serials

Many people download full version games or software from the internet but cannot use it to the full extent without a valid license. There are two main ways of trying to steal CD keys;<br>
1. A thief will rip open the box, and grab the piece of cardboard/paper that has the serial printed on it.<br>
2. A thief will steal the entire box, getting the game and the serial code. <br>
Prevention methods:<br>
1. If you are walking down the aisles and you hear ripping, quickly find who is doing so. <br>
2. Watch for bulges in clothing.

Simple bagging

The simple bagging tactic is when a thief uses the quick-grab technique to place the item in a bag.<br>

Trial and error

The thief takes an item through the checkout line, hoping the cashier won't notice it, therefore allowing the thief to have the item for free. If the thief is caught, he/she will claim it was a mistake. <br>
Prevention methods:<br>
1. Make sure people going through your checkout line are paying for everything.

Concealment

This technique is often tried in a store with an abundance of CCTV cameras and undercover security officers. The technique involves the thief walking out without paying anything, while holding the item under his/her clothing.<br>

Concealment, in other merchandise

This technique involves concealing merchandise in packages of other merchandise. For example, someone wishing to get an expensive amount of makeup can attempt to put the products inside a package of underwear. Then after, they purchase the underwear, which will be much cheaper then the makeup. This takes advantage of the fact that some register will demagnetize any merchandise scanned through the scanner. In addition, if the alarm goes off, they can show the security the purchased item and a receipt to go with it. And if the security searches the purchased product, which is ambiguous of the security employee, you can claim you did not know of the product inside the package.

Motorcycle helmet

Most stores insist on customers removing motorcycle helmets before they enter. Those who wish to shop for a few items prefer to use their motorcycle helmet as a shopping basket and place goods inside their helmet. However, a thief may try to conceal small goods under the lining of most helmets. Also, as motorcycles can be conveniently parked directly outside the store, a swift exit is sometimes attempted.<br>

Package pilferage

Some packages contain several valuable items. A shoplifter may take one of them.<br>
Prevention methods:<br>
1.Watch for bulges in clothing.
2.Check merchandise that looks like it has already been opened.

Fake return

Sometimes a shoplifter will gather an item from the selling floor and try to receive money for it at the return station without producing a receipt. <br>

False alarm scam

The shoplifter grabs something with a tag on it, puts it into someone else's bag, and waits for him to walk out. As soon as the alarm goes off the shoplifter attempts to walk out with whatever he's stolen without being stopped.

Another variation is for a thief to walk in with a tag and set the alarm off, making sure the floor person at the door notices and remembers him. When the criminal walks out with stolen goods, he assumes the clerks will not see a need to detain him.<br>

Gift card cloning

In this scam, an unactivated store gift card is stolen from a store. The shoplifter then clones the magnetic strip on the back of the gift card and makes a copy or copies of it. The original gift card is then returned to the store by the shoplifter. The gift card is activated once purchased by another customer, and the monetary amount applied to the legitimate gift card is passed to all the cloned gift cards.<br>

Grab and run

A common shoplifting technique is known by the Loss Prevention community as a "grab and run." Simply put, a shoplifter enters a retail establishment usually with prior knowledge of what he is looking for. The shoplifter moves very quickly toward the merchandise he wishes to steal. Once the shoplifter has found the merchandise, he proceeds toward the nearest store exit, usually while running. Due to the short amount of time that the shoplifter is inside the store, persons who attempt this scam are seldom caught or, in some cases, are not even detected.

Less common is for a group of criminals to rush into a store, grab as much merchandise as possible, and then rush out. <br>

Pop hiding

A thief might put items inside a soda bottle.<br>
Prevention methods: <br>
1. If the bottle is clear, look for items inside it.

Newspaper wrap

The thief will stick a smaller item into a large bulky newspaper and purchase the newspaper. <br>

Power failure

In the event of a power failure where all lighting and CCTV goes out, the shoplifter quickly grabs as much merchandise as possible and calmly leaves the establishment before power is restored. This opportunistic crime committed during a lapse in security is known as looting.<br>
Prevention methods:<br>
1. Have a store plan to process orderly exit of all customers at a time of power failure.

Pirate approach

This tecnique is used when the shoplifter is wearing a wristband. When the shoplifter has located a small item such as a coin or ring that they want they place it in the palm of their hand pretending to be simply examining it. Then as they pretend to put on the table or stand they slide it into their wristband with their thumb. It has been highly effective for years.

Booster/Magic Bags

Shoplifters will line a shopping or bag with heavy duty aluminum foil, sometimes secured with duct tape. This enables the shoplifter to place items in the bag and walk them through anti-theft sensors.

A variation on this technique can be a compartment on a baby stroller lined in foil, that enables the shoplifter to simply slide an item into the stroller.

Prevention methods:<br>
1. Look out for overstuffed bags or bags with heavier than normal handles. <ref>name="SalazarRecord"> </ref>

Shoplifting teams

Professional shoplifters will sometimes work in teams. Team members may include:<br>Boosters, who lift and conceal merchandise,<br>Lookouts, who help keep boosters unobserved, <br>Mules, who shuttle merchandise out of a store, and <br>Drivers, who collect the merchandise outside the store.