i hate to post about a topic thats been talked to death, but...

how much trouble could you get in for doing the return scam? i mean, you didnt actually take the item out of the store, so its not shoplifting. i would imagine it would be a simple "get lost"...

if i do this scam, im going to do it repeatedly in different areas, so i just wanna know how much shit i can get in if i get caught.

by the way, my current plan is to go to kmart A, stand outside pretending to take receipts from people for "charity" (like the school receipt donation box thing at grocery stores) and then go to kmart B or just come back a few days later or more.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...23_scam24.html

$45000 a month in the above story and he only got caught because someone recognized him from a previous crime. makes me think...

tell a clerk you lost your reciept and your stuffs out in the car- (they saw you 7 mins ago so youll be good) look around on the ground - behind soda, gum vending machines.

Hmm...So if I get a receipt how do I get the item? could i just go grab it from the back and bring it to the front for a return or walk out? Receipts are easy to get, just curious to know what to do with them once i get em.

That's the idea. Just have an excuse for when you're walking out and the alarms go off, or just keep walking. If anyone noticed your behaviour in video surveillance they may send an undercover after you to keep you from walking out. If one comes just run.

Also, when leaving, if you time it to walk out with a few other people then you can walk off while they all think it was their item that didn't get scanned or demagnetized.

How do you do this return scam thing?

The return scam is a variable scam, spawning numerous hybrids:

Briefly explained:

1) Locate a receipt for a certain good (in a trash receptacle near the store, on the ground, etc.). Walk into the store, select the item you have the receipt for, and walk out. (Naturally this flavor of the return scam is suitable for items that do not have security systems, or that do not have security tags). Result: Free limited merchandise (to what is on the receipt)

2) Locate a receipt for a certain good (in a trash receptacle near the store, on the ground, etc.). Walk into the store, select the item you have the receipt for, walk up to the customer service desk, and say that you will like to return the good. (Depending on the store/price of the merchandise in question, you may receive store credit or a cash/check refund. Result: Free cash/merchandise

3. Purchase a good (such as a book). Walk out of the store, and hand the receipt to a friend. The friend proceeds to locate the same book, and walks up to the cashier and asks for a refund. Result: Free specifically desired merchandise.

Of course, the various receipt scams have their downfall: someone noticing you walking into the store with nothing (which can be circumvented by carrying a bag), but more importantly: being spotted as you pick up the item and go to the check out area (although this too should present no great barrier, unless the person who sees you walk in/select the good, happens to be the cashier whom you are now asking for a refund, otherwise it will be assumed you're simply buying the good by any other employee).

You may also wish to read various return scams disussed in the archives here: http://www.angelfire.com/crazy/tx297...heaposcams.txt

An idea for this plan:

You go into the store and have your friend go in a few minutes later. You buy the more expensive item and walk out while your friend buys a less expensive item and gets a bag that will hold the item that you bought. Now when the friend comes out, give him the receipt and he walks in with his bag with something in it and walks out with something in it looking almost the same as he did when he came back in for a "second look" at something.

Note: Try to get items around the same size.

Alternately you could just find a receipt and still have your friend go in a buy something inexpensive but either way would work. This is just one of the countless variations to this scam. Just be creative and make a plan that will work best for you.

I just did a return scam test out today and plan on doing it to a bigger degree when there is a sale at this store(just so it is busier). Before I tell how it went I should say this scam should be called the 'silent loot', because you are pretty much looting, just quietly. Ok, I walked in and picked up 2 of the same cd's, walked down and put 1 on a nearby table, bought the other one at the till. I then gave the cd to a friend in a car, walked back in, picked the other copy of the cd up and asked if I could exchange it(realizing I should have gotten a straight refund afterwards, so I will do that tomorrow). The girl was happy to do it and I went and got another cd off the shelf, paid the 2 dollar difference and walked out of their.

this is my question, in the variation of this scam, if you just decide to walk out with the item in question and it beeps, do the security guys after seeing the receipt usually just leave you on your way?