Stop Theft Class Will Keep Women from Shoplifting

As a counselor for both in-class shoplifting and online stop theft classes I can tell you there seems to be more female shoplifters than male. Growing up it seemed like the boys were the ones pushing the envelope and taking more risks like shoplifting.

Now there are just as many female juvenile shoplifters as male. The number of adult women ages 21-70 who shoplift is greater than the number of men! Can this be possible?

In my previous five stop theft classes, I had 96 students. What are your perceptions of the demographics of this sample of students?

Of this group 38% were women (37). However, the telling number lies with those under the age of 21. More than 72% (69) were under the age of 21. Of those over the age of 21, 81% (22) were female.

Why do you think women are more apt to shoplift as adults? Is it that they are not as good and get caught more often?

I have witnessed an alarming trend that mothers have been out shoplifting with their children acting as accomplices. I don’t hear about dads and their kids out stealing together. I welcome your input.

Who Gets Hurt by Shoplifting?

A good shoplifting class will tell you that everyone pays for shoplifting. It's not a victimless crime.

The first party injured by shoplifting is the merchant. Stores are not just a public good, but are there to make a profit. Stolen goods mean less profit. When a store makes less profit it has no alternative but to increase it's prices and security (which costs more money).

This leads to the second group affected by shoplifting, consumers. If stores have to raise prices, consumers have to spend more for their products. This is often a direct result of shoplifting and increased security measures.

The third group affected by shoplifting is our entire society. While one store having to raise prices for its products as a result of shoplifting only affects its customers, the thief being prosecuted uses valuable tax dollars to be arrested, prosecuted and punished. These extra dollars needed to process the shoplifter through the legal system will create greater need for increased sales and property taxes. If the city raises property taxes, all retailers have to increase prices to cover the added tax cost.

Getting back to the original question, it seems obvious that everyone pays for shoplifting.

When Roommates Steal

Does your roommate or need a theft class? Does he or she steal? If they steal, even once, it needs to be addressed. If they steal more than once, the problem is probably quite serious.

There are many signs when someone has a problem with theft. The most obvious and annoying sign is when your things go missing and you find them in your roommate's room. Sometimes this will start out with her "borrowing" a pair of earrings or clothes and not returning them until you ask. If this happens more than once, be on the alert, there may be a problem.

As a counselor for both in-class and online theft classes I speak to both victims and thieves all the time.

Other signs that your roommate has a theft problem include: no longer worrying about money, wearing new, expensive clothes or jewelry they can't really afford, and being careless with stuff in general like borrowing things without asking and being entitled and self important.

Theft and shoplifting are serious problems and can really ruin someone's life. If you or someone you care about has a theft or shoplifting problem, please seek help. There are numerous social support organizations and in person and online theft classes.

What You Might Learn from a Theft Class

As a counselor for an online theft class I am often asked what someone might get out of taking a theft or shoplifting class. People generally think the only thing you learn in a theft class is to be beaten over the head that you should not steal. That is not the case.

Can you guess the reason why 99% of the students take my class? If you guessed to better educate themselves about the dangers of shoplifting you would be incorrect. Of course most people take stop theft classes because it has been court-ordered.

The courts mandate theft classes so that people who have had at least one theft-related incident can learn from past mistakes and refrain from stealing again in the future.

In a typical 8-hour course you will take an introspective look at your motivations and encouraged to ponder on why you have been stealing. The course can help you determine what triggers the impulse to steal.

The goal of the course is not only to make the student more self-aware, but it also provides practical lessons on how to deal with these emotional triggers when they recur.

I Want My New Girlfriend to Take a Theft Class

This is a very awkward situation. My new girlfriend has many qualities that I like a lot. She's pretty, intelligent, interesting, fun and talented. But there's one little quirk that is really starting to bother me. I think she likes to shoplift.

How do I know this? Often when I go to her house she has a new piece of clothing or pair of shoes. But strangely enough, I've never seen a shopping bag or even a receipt for the stuff that she buys. And also, she's a full time student who doesn't make much money, so I have doubt she can afford the high end merchandise I see her wearing.

So I'm beginning to suspect that she's not actually buying the clothing, jewelry, and make up she's wearing but she's taking them from the stores without paying. Her shoplifting behavior is a red flag and I really want her to take a theft class to get this problem under control. I don't think it's right for her to take things without paying for them nor do I want her to get caught and arrested. It would be embarrassing for her, for me and her family.

I wonder how I should tell her?

The History of Shoplifting Classes

So you're stuck in a situation where you have to take a theft class? But maybe you're wondering, how did I get here? How is it that people steal things without getting caught, but I did get caught?

Believe it or not, theft and shoplifting have been around for thousands of years. If you read the history of theft, you'll learn that there have been cases of theft and shoplifting in biblical times and even earlier. Why do you think "thou shalt not steal" is written in the bible? Even people in the pre-dark ages had to deal with thieves all the time.

And the penalties for theft were much much harsher back then. Often thieves were put to death without any sort of trial. Or other barbaric punishments occurred, such as their hands being cut off. So if you are required to sit in a theft class or shoplifting class, think of how lucky you are that you live in such enlightened and civilized times!

3 Reasons Why Shoplifting Will Ruin Your Life

Have you ever shoplifted or stolen anything? This can be as seemingly innocuous as stationery or office supplies from your job or a towel from a hotel room. More than likely, something has found its way to your home that did not legally belong to you.

While small items like an ink pen or hotel towel did not profoundly enhance your life, the act of stealing (even minor items) can seriously ruin your life. Here are some things to consider.

Reason #1 - You are Now Officially a Criminal

Getting arrested for shoplifting something small is a misdemeanor offense. It means you will have a criminal record.

Reason # 2 - Loss of Current Job

If you have a good job and get arrested for stealing, there is a good chance your employer will fire you for conduct detrimental to the moral code of the firm. It happened to me.

Reason # 3- Loss of Future employment opportunities

You know that section on an employment application that asks if you ever have been arrested? Back in the old days you could skip it and hope to escape without a future employer finding out but now with the Internet and inexpensive access to this information, you have to tell the truth.

How would you feel as an employer about hiring someone who has been arrested for theft?
Do yourself a favor and don't steal! And if you are tempted, take a theft class online.

Don't Be Tempted to Shoplift Just Because You Don't Have Money

Thanksgiving and Christmas are celebrations about giving.These holidays are intended to lift the spirits of humanity by celebrating gratitude, generosity, and faith. From the time we are children, we learn that Christmas is a time of giving (for kids it feels more like receiving).

One of my favorite phrases is, "it is in giving that we receive". It feels wonderful to bring  someone else joy.

Unfortunately, many of us are constantly reminded that these holidays are about materialism and we feel pressure to make the biggest turkey or buy the perfect gift. Especially, during difficult economic times, we are afraid to scale back or let our family down. Some people will be tempted to shoplift. Please don't let this by you! Not only is it illegal to steal, but stolen merchandise has bad karma. And if you're caught, you'll probably have to take a theft class or even go to jail.

Giving is a Gift In Itself

Making someone's day with the perfect gift is great, but you can also light up their life with a gift of love. If you cannot afford an expensive watch or new ipad - make something special for the one you love and care about. Write them a letter letting sharing how you feel about them. Make a personalized Christmas card using crayons, paints, or markers. Bake a special batch of their favorite cookies and bring over a pot of tea. Such personalized gifts like letters and cards, are always valued.

So keep yourself out of trouble physically and spiritually by not stealing for the one you love. Instead bring out the better inner person and celebrate the holidays with kindness, gratitude, and personalized affordable gifts.

An Anti-Theft Class Might Be Good for Your Teenage Daughter

This is a subject that is very dear to my heart. As the father of a teenage girl you want to make sure they do not engage in any form of problematic behavior. This is especially true when it comes to matters of being in trouble with the law.

I admit - I was a compulsive thief and I had, and still have a problem with theft. I have not stolen anything for more than seven years, yet as a theft addict, I always will have a problem.

The first time I caught my daughter stealing she was four! It was a small figurine from a toy store that I told her she could not have. Imagine my surprise when I found that figurine in her pocket while doing the laundry three days later.

I gave my daughter the benefit of the doubt, asking my wife if somehow my little sweetheart had finagled her into buying it behind my back. Alas, my suspicions were confirmed when I realized the figurine had been purchased with a five-finger discount!

How I responded then is how I encourage of all of you to respond - make her take back the stolen item, admit their wrong doing and take an anti-theft class. I hope my steadfastness will keep my daughter from stealing again. Regardless of age, confront the issue head-on and take a shoplifting class.

Retailers Prefer Shoppers Who Have Taken a Shoplifting Class

Tis' the season for shoplifting. Unfortunately as beautiful as the holiday season is, this is the time of year when almost 30% of shoplifting occurs. We all like to give those we care about awesome gifts. For some, this also means stealing what you cannot afford.

Before breaking the law, I encourage each of you to take a stop theft class. Of course I am biased, because as a teacher of both in class and online theft classes, and as a former compulsive thief myself, I have a personal interest in the subject.

Professionally, my vested interest is in you getting caught. You being arrested for a theft-related offense means potential business for me. That I like.

More importantly though, I want the opportunity to have you in class or in my office, so that I can help counsel you on how to stop your problematic behavior. I want to help you stay on the straight and narrow and avoid shoplifting again.

Because people who take stop theft classes have a less chance of stealing again, retailers promote stop theft classes. Many retail employers mandate their new employees take an online theft class.