Whether it’s leaving self-checkouts at the grocery store or walking out of a membership-only big-box warehouse club, chances are you’re being asked to show your bill.

To crack down on theft, retailers are increasingly turning to receipt checks.

While some shoppers may get annoyed, stores can legally ask to see a customer’s receipt if they agree to terms and conditions that authorize such checks.

“Generally speaking, you’re invited into a retail location—it’s kind of like being invited into someone’s house,” said Neil Hartung, a Toronto lawyer with expertise in consumer protection, and member of the Consumers Council of Canada. “It proceeds from the premise that a store is entitled to some basic ground rules. Where you join a store as a member, there are probably terms of service, and those terms speak to being able to look at your receipt to confirm what you’re rolling out with is, in fact, what you paid for. For other stores, if they post a sign—that serves a similar purpose.”

Your membership could be cancelled, or you could be barred from the store because you’re not abiding by the shop’s rules.

“Police might be called, but if there is no reason offered that a theft has occurred, they are not likely to act. The shopkeeper cannot forcibly try to impede the customer’s movement to exit the shop,” said Hartung.

A human presence is often a strong deterrent to crime.  Just the sight of security personnel at checkouts and self-checkouts can be a deterrent to those considering how they might leave without scanning certain high priced items. 

“During the brief consideration by a would-be thief, the question will always be, ‘Will my crime be exposed?’” said Stephen O’Keefe, president of Bottom Line Matters, a retail loss prevention advisory service.

Technology serves as a secondary deterrent. 

“Cameras, security exit gates, and AI are all a part of a loss prevention management system. These are used for safety and security, allowing for the collection of critical evidence to prosecute shoplifters without the risk of an immediate intervention that could result in a violent incident,” said O’Keefe.

Retailers must carefully balance maintaining consumer trust with protecting their merchandise. If theft continues to rise, the financial burden will likely shift to honest shoppers through increased prices.