Retail Crime Wave Has Proven that Stores Still Need the 'Human Touch'
'Some retailers have seen the wisdom of reinserting people back into the process.'

Opinion: Shoplifting, self-checkout and the limits of AI

A retail crime wave is a warning about the unintended consequences of automation

Retail executives have stopped using apocalyptic language and returned to talking about stock losses as "shrink", as they had done for decades. Some retail chains are still closing locations - as they were before the pandemic - but they are talking mostly about improving performance and a lot less about crime.

But to the extent that theft did rise, the experience serves as a cautionary tale about the limits of automation even as a wider range of companies tout the cost-saving potential of artificial intelligence.

Many chain stores that reported unexpected jumps in shrinkage had ramped up use of self-checkout and sensors during the pandemic while reducing employee ranks at tills and on shop floors. Those measures cut labour bills and helped stores navigate post-pandemic worker shortages.

But the empty aisles and unmanned registers proved vulnerable to opportunistic pilfering and criminal gangs who found online marketplaces made it easy to dispose of ill-gotten goods.

AI hooked up to sensors and overhead cameras can now identify much of the cheating that goes on at checkout and flag up odd behaviour in the aisles that may signal theft. But stores still need people to deal with the miscreants, and the resulting confrontations can be unpleasant or dangerous.

Some retailers like Dollar General and Target have seen the wisdom of reinserting people back into the process by removing or modifying self-checkout. Chains are also hiring additional greeters, floor walkers and security guards to deter misbehaviour in the first place, while relying on technology to help identify which items and aisles are most in need of supervision.

Retailers have discovered the hard way that dealing with the public often requires the human touch. As other industries rush to use AI to cut their labour costs, it is a lesson they should ponder. ft.com


Progressive Backlash Against California's Retail Crime Crackdown
Democrats and Republicans have teamed up to fight theft - Progressives aren't happy

California Democrats anger progressive left, push harsher penalties for shoplifters amid rising crime
California Democrats appear to be backtracking on some soft-on-crime policies, according to a number of new bills introduced in the state legislature seeking harsher penalties for retail theft.

Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, a Democrat from LA County and vice chair of the Legislative Progressive Caucus, introduced AB 1990, which would allow law enforcement to conduct arrests without a warrant for shoplifting. Officers would only need to have probable cause.

The bill, known as the Secured Transactions and Organized Theft Prevention (STOP) Act, would also make any theft of merchandise or property under $950 a misdemeanor, sparking the anger of progressive lawmakers who believe tough-on-crime policies will lead to overcrowded prisons as they did in the 1990s.

Carrillo's fellow progressive caucus member, Tina McKinnor, disagreed on social media, saying AB 1990 would be "bad for black and brown folks."

Some Republicans supported Carrillo's bill and signed on as co-authors. Republicans are also leading a grassroots effort to repeal Proposition 47, a 2014 ballot measure that relaxed penalties for thefts below $950 in value and drug possession to reduce overcrowding in jails.

Other bills making their way through the California legislature include SB 923, authored by Democratic Sen. Bob Archuleta, which would sentence shoplifters who have several prior convictions to up to three years in prison. It's part of the "Safer California Plan," a new public safety initiative spearheaded by Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, also a Democrat.

The bill comes as blue cities are also embracing tough-on-crime policies. Lawmakers in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and New York all have introduced legislation to tackle certain crimes like carjacking and theft plaguing the cities.

Last week, the Kansas legislature passed a bill that would classify organized retail crime a felony offense, joining nine other states that have passed similar laws in the last year.  yahoo.com


Overview of Retail Theft Bills Introduced Across California
Which of the retail theft bills do city leaders need to know about?
So far, the legislation broadly falls into four categories: organized retail theft, cross-jurisdictional issues, repeat offenders, enhanced penalties, and online resellers. But the biggest measure by far is AB 2943 (Rivas and Zbur), the main vehicle for comprehensive reform.

AB 2943 is just one of the many measures Cal Cities has provided feedback on. The others - listed below - are all supported by Cal Cities.

Organized retail theft and cross-jurisdictional issues

• AB 1802 (Jones-Sawyer) Crimes: Organized Theft
• AB 1972 (Alanis) Organized Retail Theft: Cargo
• AB 2406 (Davies) Crimes: Theft
• AB 2790 (Pacheco) Crimes: Organized Retail Theft
• SB 928 (Niello) Crimes: Organized Retail Theft

Additionally, AB 1779 (Irwin) would allow prosecutors to file charges for offenses committed in different counties. AB 1794 (McCarty) would allow prosecutors to aggregate multiple thefts with several victims.

Enhanced penalties and enforcement

As such, lawmakers have introduced several measures that would increase penalties for different retail theft-related actions. SB 1242 (Min) would create higher penalties for people who commit arson to attempt retail theft. SB 1416 (Newman) would enhance sentencing for professional organized retail theft, particularly large-scale resale. AB 1960 (Soria) would impose stiffer penalties for property loss or damage that occurred during a felony. Other key bills include:

• AB 1990 (Carrillo) Criminal Procedure: Arrests: Shoplifting
• AB 2438 (Petrie-Norris) Property Crimes: Enhancements
• AB 2814 (Low) Crimes: Unlawful Entry: Intent to Commit Package Theft

Legislators introduced several sentencing bills targeted specifically at repeat theft. Both AB 1772 (Ramos) and SB 923 (Archuleta) would reinstitute penalties for repeat theft eliminated by Prop. 47. If passed, the bills would go to voters for approval.

Online resellers and fencing stolen property bills: calcities.org


Florida's Tough Stance Against Retail Theft
Retail thieves face harsher penalties under new Florida bill
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is cracking down on retail theft, which has cost businesses over a billion dollars a year. He supports a bill that increases penalties, including a five-year minimum prison sentence for those caught taking merchandise without paying.

Senate Bill 824, filed by Sen. Blaise Ingoglia from Spring Hill, revises the minimum number of thefts required within a specified aggregation period to commit a specified violation for retail theft. It also prohibits someone from committing retail theft with a specific number of other persons when such a person uses social media to solicit others to take part in the scheme.

Naples Republican State Rep. Bon Rommel filed the House version of HB 549. The bill states that it's a third-degree felony to commit retail theft of over $750 with five or more individuals, a second-degree felony for criminals to use social media to solicit others to participate in retail theft, and a first-degree felony for individuals who commit retail theft with a firearm or who already have two or more prior convictions of retail theft.

Conspiring with another person to commit retail theft with the intent to sell the stolen property for more than $3,000 for monetary gain would become a second-degree felony, punishable by a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment.

Gov. DeSantis has signed the bill into law, which takes effect October 1. islandernews.com


Catch & Release: Thousands of Shoplifters Set Free
UK: Thousands of shoplifters still walking free after being detained, Co-op warns
Thousands of shoplifters are walking free after being detained by undercover guards in Co-op stores, as the retailer urged action to stop criminals viewing it as a crime without consequences. The firm said there had been some early signs of improvement since the Government stepped in to help crack down on a spike in retail crime.

But it comes after reporting the highest levels of shop crime last year with more than 335,000 cases of shoplifting, abuse, violence and anti-social behaviour across its food stores. Co-op said that specially trained undercover guards detained about 3,360 suspected criminals across its stores during 2023.

Earlier this year, it found police failed to attend in nearly four out of five cases where someone had been detained in its shops.

New data shows that since the Government introduced its Retail Crime Action Plan, non-attendance rates have improved but police are still failing to attend in three out of five cases, Co-op told the PA news agency.

It indicates that thousands of shoplifters are still walking free even after being caught by specialist security guards, which Co-op said sends the message that it is consequence-free crime. finance.yahoo.com


Another City Enacts Mandatory Business Security Cameras
Northeast Ohio city requiring security cameras outside all businesses
One Northeast Ohio city is requiring security cameras outside every business within city limits. Stores like the Diamond's Men's Store inside the Hilltop Plaza Shopping Center in Richmond Heights reacted to the news that the Richmond Heights was mandating cameras in area businesses. "I don't mind it. It's really more safe that way. So if we have shoplifters, we have some recourse," said Jay Berkowitz, an employee.

According to Richmond Heights Police Chief Calvin Williams, city council passed the new ordinance last week. "It requires all businesses within city limits to have a camera at each entrance and exit as well as the parking lot," said Williams. Williams said if police believe a crime has occurred, the business will be required to provide immediate access to the recordings.

"If they don't cooperate, we have to get a search warrant. Luckily, we currently have an ordinance that requires apartment buildings to have cameras. This ordinance literally mirrors that to cover retail establishments," said Williams.

Businesses have six months to comply and if they don't, they could face fines and citations. The ordinance also states that each business will be responsible for purchasing and posting the cameras. fox8.com


Customers Charged for Security
Los Angeles, CA: Popular rooftop eatery in downtown L.A. charging customers security fee
Angelenos are used to seeing fees for gratuity and even healthcare on the restaurant bill, but a downtown Los Angeles rooftop eatery is now charging a fee for security. Considered an essential experience in rooftop dining, diners at Perch, which is on the 15th floor of the Pershing Square Building at Hill and 5th streets, may soon notice the 4.5% surcharge on their receipt. What's a little less normal, though, is that the security fee is not about protection from people outside the restaurant, rather it's protection from other patrons. "Us paying their security fee is crazy, if you think about it," Earnest Traylor said. "Are we actually paying for food or are we paying the bills to keep the business running?" Dill added.  ktla.com


Armed Walgreens Security Guard Harasses Customers
How many guns does a Walgreens 'loss prevention officer' need? A young woman is speaking out after a security guard accused her of shoplifting and followed her around the store.

And it happened right here in Washington state. Jack and Spike analyze the footage and discover a striking doppelganger for our beleaguered protector of the shampoos.  mynorthwest.com


California Black Caucus Members Clash Over Retail Theft Bill

Columbus Police Conclude Operation Unity, Yielding Significant Results
 

Foiling Phishing Attempts & Cutting Spam
Google Gets Tough on Security
Google recently began enforcing security changes to Gmail that are designed to protect users, foil phishing attempts and reduce unwanted spam by targeting bulk email senders - a welcome development for the industry.

Security measures designed to protect vulnerable users from targeted attacks align with the priorities of industry data privacy experts.
 
Google - whose email platform has become the largest email service with more than 1.2 billion users around the world - began enforcing the changes in February, targeting users that send out more than 5,000 emails per day.

Among the many changes, users must set up SPF and DKIM email authentication for their domain, ensure that sending domains or IPs have valid forward and reverse DNS records, use a TLS connection for transmitting email, and more.

"As Gmail implements new verifying rules for high-volume email senders, it is a major roadblock for cybercriminals' phishing and spam tactics," Dr. Suleyman Ozarslan, Picus Security co-founder and vice president of Picus Labs told Security Systems News (SSN). "Typically relying on ambiguity and impersonation, these threat actors lean heavily on identity obfuscation. By enforcing strong email authentication through DMARC, DKIM and SPF, Gmail will reduce email spoofing and domain impersonation-based phishing attempts. This shift in approach may prompt cybercriminals to explore more sophisticated or novel attack vectors, thus continuing the cat-and-mouse game between attackers and defenders."

An important factor to note is that the security changes that have been implemented currently apply to emails sent to personal Gmail account holders, not Google Workspace accounts.   securitysystemsnews.com


AI Poses 'Unprecedented Threat' to Consumers' Digital Safety
76% of consumers don't see themselves as cybercrime targets
67% of consumers across the globe are concerned about the security and privacy of AI, according to Bitdefender survey.

AI uses personal data to feed its machine learning algorithms, and the rising amount has raised serious concerns about data storage, usage, and access - concerns that traditional data protection laws are not equipped to answer. Respondents in Spain were most concerned at 80% in contrast to Italy where only 49% stated the same.

"The sudden rise of AI adoption by cybercriminals has been a game changer and poses an unprecedented threat to consumers' digital safety. With a surge in AI-assisted texting scams, fraud attempts, and expertly crafted phishing emails, consumers must remain vigilant to understand, prioritize, and apply cybersecurity best practices," said Ciprian Istrate, SVP of operations at Bitdefender Consumer Solutions Group.

The top-ranked concern for consumers is cybercriminals accessing their finances at 48%, followed by identity protection at 17% with 78% of all respondents stating they use a mobile device to conduct sensitive transactions such as banking, accessing investment accounts, managing crypto wallets or for healthcare.

However, 45% of respondents don't use any mobile security solution. The top reason (38%) is that users trust iOS and Android to be secure, followed surprisingly by 23% stating they didn't know you could buy security solutions for mobile devices. helpnetsecurity.com


'National Vulnerability Database'
NIST Wants Help Digging Out of Its NVD Backlog

The National Vulnerability Database can't keep up, and the agency is calling for a public-private partnership to manage it going forward.

After warning it can't keep up with the exploding number of bugs being submitted to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD), the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) has asked for additional resources from the US government and the private sector.

The agency said in February it was experiencing delays updating the NVD. This week, it admitted the delays have ballooned into a bona fide backlog. NIST said it is working to address the highest priority vulnerabilities first.

"This is based on a variety of factors, including an increase in software and, therefore, vulnerabilities, as well as a change in interagency support," NIST said in a statement regarding its NVD backlog. darkreading.com


New digital certificate and validation service for watch ownership launched
 
Ivanti vows to transform its security operating model, reveals new vulnerabilities

Miami, FL: 5 Arrested In 13 Florida County Retail Theft Scheme
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested five suspects, all from Miami-Dade County, for their roles in a large-scale organized retail theft fraud scheme. Maike Acosta De Armas, 47, Lazaro Santiago Acosta De Armas, 45, Yusser Echemendia Rodriguez, 42, Elias Ramos Hernandez, 48, and Honasi Diaz Santos, 47, all face multiple felony charges, including an organized scheme to defraud of $50,000 or more and retail theft of multiple items within thirty days at different physical locations. The investigation began in July 2022 when FDLE Miami agents reviewed a criminal complaint provided by the company's organized retail crime investigator. The complaint alleged that the fraudster's operation spanned multiple Florida counties, resulting in thousands of dollars in losses. FDLE collaborated with local law enforcement partners to identify 53 theft incidents across 13 Florida counties, including Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Lucie, and Volusia. The inquiry indicated that the organized thievery ring participated in a systematic effort to steal the company, resulting in losses of more than $55,000. The plan entailed manipulating the online purse system and taking products that the defendants claimed to have already purchased online. The thieves also "returned" stolen products to retailers in several places using receipts obtained online.  tampafp.com


Las Vegas, NV: Pair wanted for stealing from Las Vegas beauty supply store, hitting employee
Authorities are looking for two women who stole from a Las Vegas beauty supply store and hit an employee as they tried to flee. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police say the theft was reported in the 6600 block of S. Las Vegas Boulevard, near Sunset Road, on Monday, Feb. 26. The two women went into the store with large tote bags and asked an employee to see a specific product. The employee unlocked a drawer, and the two women began quickly taking items and putting them into their bags. The employee closed the drawer and tried to lock it while one of the women fought her for the key. That woman then hit the employee in the face. The two women then left the store and drove away in a silver Jeep SUV.  news3lv.com


Lincoln City, OR: Alleged theft ring busted at Lincoln City Outlets
One adult and one juvenile face criminal charges following a theft investigation at the Lincoln City Outlets that resulted in the recovery of more than $4,000 in stolen items. The Lincoln City Police Department received a call March 31 from employees of the Sunglass Hut at the Lincoln City Outlets regarding a theft. The employees reported that two females and a male had stolen several sets of sunglasses then fled the store. Multiple LCPD officers responded and began investigating.  newportnewstimes.com


Vancouver, B.C., Canada: Suspect sought after $150K in construction machinery stolen from Home Depot stores across Metro Vancouver
Mounties are searching for a suspect after a string of construction machinery thefts at Home Depot stores across Metro Vancouver over the past couple of months. Coquitlam RCMP said officers received reports of stolen Bobcat510 wheeled skid-steers and trailers from five different Home Depot locations between May and June. "In all five incidents, the suspect rented the skid-steers using a false name, removed the GPS trackers and never returned them," Mounties said in a news release Friday, adding that the equipment was valued at more than $150,000 and stolen from Home Depot stores in Langley, Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.  bc.ctvnews.ca


Dunwoody, GA: Suspect flees Dillard's with 30 Polo shirts; valued at $1,700

Palmdale, CA: Police investigating a $5,000 theft at Dick's, 2 suspects wanted