Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12
  1. #1

    Default Cameras in the Fitting Room

    My question involves California Law:

    I did something stupid couple days ago, I'd do anything to undo it.

    I changed the tag for two $10 shirts in the fitting room, and paid $3 for them. I had to go back to the store to pick up prescription, and I may be paranoid, but it felt like the workers were keeping an eye on me. (The person who rang me up at the pharmacy actually knew me by my first name when mentioned my last name, although that could be because I had called before asking if my med has been filled).

    Do you think there is a chance the cops can come for me at home? Are there hidden cameras/surveillance cameras in the fitting room? I thought about going back, being honest and paying full price for it, but I was afraid that they would call the cops on me.

    Can I just go to a different store and return the merchandise, re-buy it for full price or something like that? Do you think they will have my record? I paid with my card, and I had to swipe my ID because I bought a cold medicine.

    Please please help me, so nervous and regretful.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    154

    Default Re: Cameras in the Fitting Room

    If I remembered correctly, fitting rooms do have cameras. In fact, I remembered when I went into a fitting room, there are signs posted that say the following words: Security Cameras in Use
    At Ross, the fitting rooms have a sign on the lower left corner of the mirror displaying the following words: Shoplifters will be prosecuted.
    I don't think the cops can get you from your house unless they're psychic or something.
    I don't know the answer for the last two questions.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    1,419

    Default Re: Cameras in the Fitting Room

    Just let it be,paying the difference maybe be noble but then there always a chance they could call them cops and press criminal charges. Now they probably didn't know and won't bother presue it,just relax and don't do it again.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    3,835

    Default Re: Cameras in the Fitting Room

    Quote Quoting rainforestsunset
    View Post
    Are there hidden cameras/surveillance cameras in the fitting room?
    Having a camera in such an area is a legal no-no, it is not a jail monitoring prisoners. You have a high expectation of privacy when declothing. IF, IF, you get caught, you can bet it will from evidence gathered outside the parameters of the fitting room entrance. If evidence is presented of such inbooth camera's, consult an attorney to inquire about Invasion of privacy damages.


    Please please help me, so nervous and regretful.
    Retain your composure, it will help you feel better, you seem, unlike others, to be very remorseful, that is the 1st step to recovery.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    6,808

    Default Re: Cameras in the Fitting Room

    I'd say....let your nerves right now be a lesson learned...don't do it again...

  6. #6

    Default Re: Cameras in the Fitting Room

    Quote Quoting BOR
    View Post
    IF, IF, you get caught, you can bet it will from evidence gathered outside the parameters of the fitting room entrance. If evidence is presented of such inbooth camera's, consult an attorney to inquire about Invasion of privacy damages.
    what processes will they take if they were to come and show up at my door or mail me something to appear in court? (are they able to do such a thing?)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    3,835

    Default Re: Cameras in the Fitting Room

    Quote Quoting rainforestsunset
    View Post
    what processes will they take if they were to come and show up at my door or mail me something to appear in court? (are they able to do such a thing?)
    Most likely mail or hand deliver a summons, but if charged it is possible a warrant will be issued, then probably you will notified of it by mail one has been?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Cameras in the Fitting Room

    There could be a camera in the area / hallway outside the changing rooms, assuming it didn't record inside those rooms. Some states, e.g. Texas, appear to allow cameras in fitting rooms as long as there's a conspicuous sign posted warning that the rooms are under surveillance.

    The governing statute in California appears to be Penal Code Sec. 647. Two-way mirrors are forbidden (save for those installed before 1970) by Sec. 653n. Some discussion of the expectation of privacy issues, and what level of surveillance might be permissible, is discussed in In re Deborah C., 30 Cal.3d 125, 177 Cal.Rptr. 852, 635 P.2d 446, 452 (1981).

    Note that there are good reasons why, even in states that allow it, a store might forbid cameras in fitting rooms. There are many cases where store security guards have abused video surveillance (in and out of changing rooms or restrooms) resulting in lawsuits against the store. No major store wants to be embarrassed by news coverage of its "Peeping Tom" security guards, or to have customers find out that a guard was keeping or sharing videos.

  9. #9

    Default Re: Cameras in the Fitting Room

    I went ahead and returned the items to a different store, presenting my receipt. I don't think they thought it was weird, given that I provided my receipt. (took advice from bam! in this forum: http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12428)

    I went ahead and purchased the items online (items weren't available in any store) and paid full price. I feel a little bit better, but am still terrified that they may send me something in the mail or show up at my door with a warrent. I wish I had the guts to call the store and ask if they are monitoring their fitting rooms.

    Is there a chance they could track me down still? My friends told me that if anything, they would have stopped me in the store. I didn't do anything out on the floor of the store, other than return the items to the racks that I had took price tags from.

    Please help and reply - I appreciate everyone taking time to post.

    Also, I read on a different forum that even if they have cameras in the fitting rooms, they are not allowed to record it on a tape (used for solely monitoring purposes). How accurate is this information for California law?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    6,808

    Default Re: Cameras in the Fitting Room

    I apologize, but no one here holds a crystal ball. We do not know the mindsets of a single stores LP, Corporate LP policies, the policies/mindset of the cops, prosecutor in your area. We don't know how many other cases they may/may not have...


    Don't do something like calling the store. In fact - stay away from that store for a while. Well, since you have a Rx there...

    Like I said earlier...don't shoplift. It's not worth it. You're stressing out already and you have not been caught, arrested, charged. Just think of this experience if you ever think of doing it again.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Shoplifting in a Fitting Room
    By crackers in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 12-04-2009, 08:40 PM
  2. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Hidden Surveillance Cameras at Bloomingdale's Fitting Room
    By Pasadena1976 in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 04-07-2009, 03:55 PM
  3. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Surveillance Cameras in Fitting Rooms
    By toodlypoopoo in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-10-2007, 10:04 AM
  4. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Is a camera in a fitting room legal?
    By question88us in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 03-24-2006, 03:55 PM
  5. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Surveillance cameras in fitting rooms?
    By tonymontana in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 12-20-2005, 02:36 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources