Replace the Thrill of Shoplifting with Something Better

As a former thief and now a counselor for a theft class I am well-aware of the reasons people shoplift. Research from my students shows that less than one out of ten steal because they need the item shoplifted.

More than four in five of my students (82%) enjoy the rush they get from shoplifting. They like the thrill of getting away with it and feeling like they beat the system. It makes them feel "special". Many students will speak openly about daydreaming of shoplifting scenarios.

Like many thrills, the excitement from shoplifting can be habit forming. However, if you are stealing, you need to find another way to get your kicks.

One place to start is a hobby. Having a hobby to focus on will keep you from thinking about shoplifting. A number of my students have taken up ceramics. While not necessarily thrilling, the pride of accomplishment, of creating something from nothing, has really helped them kick their urge to steal. They feel good about themselves and have greater internal satisfaction. Gardening would be another good hobby.

If you absolutely must have lots of excitement and stimulation, take up a sporting hobby. Rock climbing, hiking, spelunking, rafting, skiing and snowboarding are all high-thrill sports that will help keep the need to steal at bay.

A Theft Class Can Help You with Your Debt Problem

With the bills piling higher and higher, you are probably wondering how you are going to get yourself out of this terrible mess. Should you take a second job? Cut back more on your necessities? Or resort to stealing to make ends meet?

Well there's an alternative solution to theft and petty larceny and that's taking a online theft class. What a theft class will teach you is how to keep your impulses under control. Instead of coveting what you see in the store that you can't afford, you'll think of some great alternatives.

Debt consolidation is just one alternative. What that lets you do is take all your high priced credit card bills and combine them together into one low interest rate loan. By lowering your monthly debt burden you'll take pressure off yourself and be less tempted to steal or shoplift.

What Merchants Do with People Who Shoplift

Do you know what merchants do to people they catch shoplifting? If you ever have been caught you might have an idea. Actually, the reaction of a merchant to a shoplifter can vary greatly.

Merchants can go so far as to call the police and make sure charges are pressed, or they can be as lenient as letting you off with a warning. If you are a minor they may just call your parents and have them come and pick you up. Even if you aren't arrested, they may require you to take a shoplifting class. Also, merchants will often completely ban you from coming to the store again.

One of the most important factors in determining how you will be treated after being caught is your attitude. If you apologize and show genuine remorse, the likelihood of the merchant going easy on you greatly improves. I can assure you that a bad attitude will result in you being arrested and prosecuted to the full-extent of the law. Certainly if this happens you could go to jail, pay a very large fine and be required to take an online theft class.

Another factor in determining your outcome is the attitude of the merchant. If they have had a ongoing  problem with shoplifting, you will likely be prosecuted. Some merchants understand a youthful desire to defy the rules by stealing and if you are sincerely sorry, there is a chance they may go easy on you.

A third factor is store policy. Many stores now have policies in place that store security has to detain you and call the police. Your best bet here is sincerely apologetic and remorseful.

It is still better not steal. Being an honorable person, counts!

Avoid Being Arrested for Shoplifting when You're on Vacation

If you're on vacation, you're going to do lots of different things. Maybe you'll relax by the pool or partake in fun activities like fishing or snorkeling. At some point, you may even go shopping for souvenirs or trinkets at your destination.

But one thing you want to avoid is shoplifting when you travel. Being arrested for shoplifting or theft where you live is one thing. Maybe you'll have to go to jail for a short amount of time or be required to take a shoplifting class but you do not want to be arrested in a foreign country or town.

If you get arrested for shoplifting, theft or petit larceny when you are traveling or on vacation, then you're in for a great deal of trouble. You'll have to deal with being arrested in a different state or foreign country. You'll go to a great deal of expense getting local lawyers to deal with your court case. And as an out of towner, you'll have to travel back and forth to deal with the consequences of your arrest.

How would you like to have to fly back and forth once a week to take a theft class or to handle court appearances? I can't imagine a more difficult scenario!

And if you're in a foreign country and have been arrested, the penalties can be far greater than in your home country and state. Some countries have long jail sentences for theft and shoplifting. Unlike in the U.S. where a first time offender might get off with a slap on the wrist, you might months or even years of jail time in front of you.

So think before you consider shoplifting or stealing when you're traveling. It could be the biggest mistake of your life!

I Saw Grandma Stealing Cat Food

The other day in the grocery store I was in the pet food aisle and was shocked when only 10 feet away I saw an older woman secretly putting cans of cat food in her purse.

It was difficult to know what to do. On one hand stealing and shoplifting is a crime. Somebody who shoplifts deserves to be arrested. Most likely this woman wouldn't go to jail but instead would have to take a shoplifting class.

But on the other hand, maybe she can't afford the food and doesn't have the money to keep her cats alive. And what does it matter that a couple dollars worth of cat food is taken from a big rich grocery store.

But that's really bad thinking. If somebody steals from a store everybody is affected. The store loses money and has to raise prices for everybody else. So the best thing to do is report this person to store management. And if this grandmother has a problem, then the theft and shoplifting class will most likely be a huge help.

There is Nothing Worse Than Stealing from Friends

Human interaction and personal relationships are what life is all about. Bonding with people and being in close, sharing and supportive relationships, make life worth living. Keeping strong and healthy relationships with friends and family are essential to human happiness.

Given all of the above it would seem to be a no-brainer that you wouldn't steal from your friends. As a counselor for stop theft classes I find it amazing that the majority of my students have stolen from their friends at one time or another.

The Motto

The following phrase was uttered to me by a sponsor after one of my many theft-related incidents. "Never steal from someone who trusts you, and never trust someone who steals from you."

Those are wise words to live by. One of the most basic elements of human relationships is trust. Without trust, the relationship will not survive. If a friend steals from you, will you ever feel the same way about the person again?

Don't risk losing a friend. Do not steal from them. If you have a friend who you know has a problem with theft, make sure you communicate with them. Try to get them to take a theft class online, and make sure they know that stealing from you would dissolve your bond.