I’m a lawyer – Walmart buyers should be careful how they use self-checkout after the horror stories I’ve heard

Walmart shoppers have been warned by a lawyer to “be careful” when using self-checkout as dozens of horror stories continue to surface.

Data has shown that in just one year, over 60 customers were arrested at a supermarket for accidentally skipping a scan.

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Attorney Sandra Barger said she’s heard of shoppers getting a ticket because they forgot to scan an item at the self-checkout.

Barger told KGUN9: “I had a client who had his kids with him and it was the simple element that he was missing that can happen. Anyone can do that.”

Rather than calling the police immediately, Barger believes stores should practice allowing shoppers to scan missed items before taking legal action.

She also called for the introduction of regulations.

A shopper in her 60s was “completely shocked” when police officers slammed her with a petty theft report after failing to scan some items.

“Like all retailers, we are taking basic steps to control inventory and keep prices low,” Walmart said in a statement to KGUN9.

“For obvious security reasons, we don’t discuss specific store policies.

“When necessary, we reach out to law enforcement as part of our commitment to meeting our customers’ and employees’ expectations for a safe and enjoyable shopping experience.”

Attorney Carrie Jernigan has repeatedly warned customers against using self-checkout.

She claimed Walmart will look back months and months to account for lost inventory and look through past customers’ transactions.

According to Jernigan, there are three self-checkout flop groups.

She said: “The first group of people to be charged with self-checkout shoplifting are (sic) people who go into stores with intent to steal.

“The second group of people who take up this charge, I will call accidental theft.

“These are the people I really think just forgot to scan an item.”

She continued, “Usually it was something that was on the bottom shelf of the car, or let’s say a DVD that slipped under the purse and when they go out, asset protection stops them.”

Alleged ex-Walmart employee Athenia Maria revealed that employees have the ability to pause the self-checkout from their handheld devices if they suspect a customer is stealing an item.

From the customer’s point of view, it just looks like a glitch.

There is no other option but to formally involve the employee after triggering that anti-theft button.