I work in tech – don’t even try to steal from Walmart or Target Self Checkout, people don’t realize they’re watching you

A TECH employee has claimed that major retailers are watching you every step of the way while you shop, urging shoppers not even to think about stealing from self-checkouts.

TikToker demystifying technology warned of theft at Walmart and Target, claiming cameras and “entire teams” are collecting evidence that could be used to land you in jail.

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The whistleblower shared a clip of a Walmart shopper claiming she almost went to jail over the company’s self-checkout update before offering his advice.

“Just a PSA, you guys gotta stop stealing from Target and Walmart because they’re trying to send you to jail,” he said in the 57-second video.

The technology expert explained that the retail giants have systems in place to monitor shoppers and are “watching you from literally every corner of the store”.

“So if you think you’ve taken off that barcode and put on something else, and you scan it, you’re going to be caught on those cameras,” the TikToker said.

He further claimed that there are entire departments dedicated to watching people shop and they might even be waiting to catch you at the worst possible time.

“Some Walmarts or Targets will actually stop you before you steal because they know you have it on you,” he said.

“However, in other places you can steal a certain amount of stuff where they can bring a felony charge against you.”

He ended the video by urging shoppers to think twice before making a hasty decision at stores with updated surveillance technology.

“Stop stealing from Walmart and Target. They know you’re stealing and they’re going to send you to jail,” he said.

Another TikToker, Keiandrea Daniels, has provided an insight into the new Walmart technology that goes one step further to ensure customers don’t steal.

Cameras on either side of the counter watch her as she scans a bottle of Minute Maid Lemonade, while another screen shows an image of the scanned item.

“BABY WALMART SAID YOU DON’T STEAL FROM THEM NO!” Keiandrea wrote with the app’s onscreen text.

Whether intentional or accidental, a criminal defense attorney has urged people never to use self-checkout because you could be subpoenaed for shoplifting days or even weeks after your visit.

In a recent video, Dod Ghassemkhani was asked if he used the self-checkout line when he went shopping.

He said, “I don’t use the self-checkout line in any store,” and then explained why even if you didn’t mean to do anything wrong, it can get you in legal trouble.

“The best way for someone to become involved in a case of shoplifting is to use these self-checkout lanes,” Dod said.

“Typically most stores, Target, Walmart, you know other stores that have these self-checkout lines, they’re going to do an inventory check every few days.

“And if anything is missing, they’ll have their Lost Prevention Officers go back and just watch the video.”

Dod explained that large retailers like these “have a huge asset protection program and tons of Lost Prevention Officers — they spend hours reviewing videos.”

While some customers might actually be caught attempting to steal, Dod provided an example of an accidental theft still receiving the same treatment as a willful shoplifter.

“You’re in the store, you’re with your kids, your kids are driving you crazy, you forget to scan something and you walk out there,” he said.

“The next time you’re in the store, you’ll get a subpoena for an effects misdemeanor and you might have to fight it, but Loss Prevention won’t hear it.

“You have to go before a judge and embarrass yourself and fight the case that way.”

Dod said to avoid self-checkout simply because “it’s so much easier and will make your life so much easier.”