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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
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    2

    Default Can Department Stores Put a Suspected Shoplifter in Any National Database

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: California

    If a big department store suspects you of shoplifting can they 1) put you on any type of national database that says to other department stores...watch out for this guy we think he's a shoplifter? 2) If you apply for a retail job at another department store does your name get flagged as a potential or suspected shoplifter based off that list?

    Every time I walk into a certain department store I think they suspect me of shoplifting because the employees drop what they're doing and start following me everywhere i go anywhere in the store. When I'm checking out jeans the employees will watch me like a hawk and if i go into the changing room they go and check the room immediately after i leave. I never planned on doing anything illegal, i have never shoplifted anywhere but for whatever reason this store thinks i'm a criminal. It's so bad and uncomfortable and I've stopped shopping there and have not been there in the past 5 years. I'm currently in the process of applying for a seasonal job at another big department store for a little extra work but I'm worried that I've been entered into some sort of database and that could possibly be a reason I'm not hired. I used to be a very loyal customer at the old department store and I've used my credit card many times so they obviously have my name but can they put me into any sort of gossip list or suspect list? Can i check if my name is anywhere in any database commonly used by retail stores to check their employees?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
    Posts
    17,019

    Default Re: Can Department Stores Put a Suspected Shoplifter in Any National Database

    It is very possible that store chain has you flagged as a potential shoplifter.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Can Department Stores Put a Suspected Shoplifter in Any National Database

    They can't put you into a national database without catching you stealing. Your paranoia about them "watching you" may just be customer service. Checking the fitting room after you leave is exactly what they are supposed to be doing.

    Then, as Disagreeable wrote, you just may have exhibited some behavior signs that LP looks for on one of your store visits and they distributed your photo to employees so they can be watchful when you are observed in the store. I suspect that is the case.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Can Department Stores Put a Suspected Shoplifter in Any National Database

    maybe you're right and i'm overly paranoid but i didn't include the other stuff that made me unconformable. After i would try on a pair of jeans or jacket and put them back on the rack i would see the employees check if the security tags were still attached on almost everything i tried on. When i would ask the sales associates any questions they would usually never help me and say they didn't know and it's not their department and then say they would try to get someone who could help me and answer my questions. After 10 mins I knew no one was coming. Employees would literally stand 6 feet away from me doing nothing and in that unique posture as if they were my personal security guards. I looked as if i had my own security forces. Other little stuff like that.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    8,006

    Default Re: Can Department Stores Put a Suspected Shoplifter in Any National Database

    None of that will affect your job application. You could probably go to that store again without any issues, if you really stayed out for 5 years. No one is liable to remember you.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    19,901

    Default Re: Can Department Stores Put a Suspected Shoplifter in Any National Database

    Shoplifters are often loyal customers. It's common. The store is allowed to keep their eye on you and even keep track of you as a suspect. The legal restrictions only come from information they relay to outside parties. Those typically have to follow the FCRA standards to avoid liability. To my knowledge, only such organization that has such a database is National Retail Mutual Association (the database is the NRTD) and you don't get in it unless you are actually caught shoplifting (and you're over 18). It's only available to the member stores and they must disclose to you if they use it to determine your suitability for a job.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Posts
    441

    Default Re: Can Department Stores Put a Suspected Shoplifter in Any National Database

    You sound paranoid to me as well, and you also underestimate how bad customer service actually is in most stores. Heck, telling a customer that they will call someone, and then no one comes for 10 minutes? I see that all the time. It's sad, but it's not my place or problem to deal with.

    As already mentioned, there's no extensive databases for "suspected" shoplifters that span multiple corporations, although there are ones within companies. It's also totally legal; if it's not disseminated publicly, a companies' employees can discuss within the company whom they suspect of stealing.

    But I doubt that's what's going on here. My first paragraph is what I think is happening here.

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