According to data from Statista, the average loss per shoplifting incident in the US was $460 in 2020.
With such significant losses, it is no wonder that various businesses like CVS have enacted various measures to address the vice. If you are curious about CVS’s shoplifting policy, here’s all you need to know.
CVS has a zero-tolerance policy for shoplifting and has put measures in place to prevent the loss of items in its stores. Some of CVS’s anti-theft measures are using security cameras and placing security tags on its products. The store also employs asset protection staff, which include managers, security guards, and coordinators to deal with the menace.
So, what happens if one is caught shoplifting at CVS?
CVS employees are not allowed to chase or confront you if caught shoplifting. According to the store’s no-touch and no-chase policy, a CVS associate cannot run after you if you flee after shoplifting.
In such a case, the employee can only inform the manager, who will have the final say on dealing with the issue.
To learn more about CVS’s shoplifting policy, its anti-theft measures, how CVS stores deal with shoplifters, and more, continue reading!
Contents
How Does CVS Prevent Shoplifting?
CVS is one of the most popular stores in the world, and it’s no surprise that it has been a target of shoplifters. CVS uses several ways to deter shoplifting in its stores, including the following.
CVS Asset Protection
Asset protection associates are employees who prevent the loss of items through shoplifting or fraud. CVS has a team of asset protection associates, including managers, coordinators, and security guards.
CVS asset protection managers create the anti-theft strategies implemented in their respective stores. They also conduct security audits to ensure adequate protection for the stores’ assets and merchandise.
The asset protection coordinators work on the store floor and interact directly with customers. They are usually dressed like regular employees and assist the store managers in implementing anti-theft strategies.
CVS has uniformed security guards in the stores to help reduce incidences of shoplifting. They also monitor the store’s CCTV cameras to spot any suspicious activity within the premises.
If you have any background in providing security services, you may be curious about how much CVS asset protection associates make.
According to Indeed, a CVS asset prevention associate makes an average of $17.37 per hour, which is about 21 percent above the national average. CVS asset protection managers earn an average of $29 per hour or $61,000 annually.
Monitored Store Security Cameras
CVS stores have top-grade video surveillance systems that provide real-time surveillance in-store, including parking lots and other areas. The security cameras capture the images of anyone who enters or exits the store during or after business hours.
CVS also has trained security personnel who monitor the cameras during business hours and report any suspicious activity to the store floor protection team.
Usually, CVS keeps records of CCTV footage for up to three months. However, this may depend on the capacity of its storage drive but may keep the storage longer if they use cloud storage.
CVS Anti-Theft Measures
All CVS stores have in-store anti-theft measures designed to deter shoplifting. Such measures include keeping items on locked shelves, meaning you can only access them with the help of a CVS associate.
CVS also uses in-store sensors that alert store associates when you try to leave with an item that you have not paid for. The sensors are mainly near the check-out areas or store exit points. The other anti-theft measure used by CVS includes putting security tags on its items.
Searching Shoppers’ Bags for Shoplifted Goods
If a CVS asset protection associate catches or suspects you have shoplifted an item, they can request to search your bag. This may happen if you are caught on surveillance cameras shoplifting or if you’re behaving suspiciously.
Setting off the store sensor alarms may also warrant a search of your bags. In addition to looking for stolen items in your bag, an associate may also check your receipt to ensure that you paid for everything in the bag.
What Happens If You Get Caught Shoplifting At CVS?
If you get caught shoplifting at CVS, you may face various consequences. According to CVS recruiting guidelines, its asset protection associates cannot confront or apprehend you for their safety.
Therefore, they will alert the store manager, who will decide how to deal with you. The store manager may make any of the following decisions.
- They may report the crime to the police – which may lead to your arrest and prosecution. When this happens, it is usually costly due to the legal and court fees involved. Consequently, you may have difficulty finding another job in the future due to your criminal history.
- Disciplinary action – if you are a CVS employee and are caught shoplifting, you may be fired or receive disciplinary actions from your employer.
- CVS will also keep your record in its file and ban you from accessing any of its stores. They may also prefer charges against you for the act of larceny.
How Does CVS Handle Shoplifters?
CVS encourages its employees to be vigilant enough and stop shoplifting before it happens. One way the associates do this is by following potential shoplifters around to ensure that the suspect is aware of their presence.
Since CVS associates cannot confront, apprehend or chase suspected shoplifters, they can only alert them about the security cameras and guards to deter them from shoplifting.
According to the CVS shoplifting policy, its employees cannot apprehend or detain shoplifters, even if there is no risk of injury to themselves or others.
CVS also prohibits the use of force on suspected shoplifters. The retailer believes in the safety of all customers and employees regardless of whether a crime has been committed or not.
Does CVS Press Charges For Shoplifting?
If you are caught shoplifting at CVS, the next cause of action usually depends on the store’s management. Before any action is taken against you, the manager may give you a chance to plead your case to avoid misunderstandings or cases of mistaken identity.
Once the manager ascertains that you intentionally shoplifted from the store, they will contact the police and press charges. CVS may prefer charges of a misdemeanor, larceny, felony, or possession of stolen property, depending on what you’ve stolen. If convicted, you’ll pay a fine depending on the value of the goods stolen.
However, if you manage to leave the store without being caught shoplifting, you may not be safe just yet. If CVS looks at its video footage and identifies you as a shoplifter, it may alert the police, and you’ll be charged within the statute of limitations.
If you hold any CVS membership, the store will revoke it if you are caught shoplifting. It may also prevent you from accessing any of its stores. If this happens, you will not be able to shop at any CVS location nationwide, even if you’ve never been caught stealing from them before.
Does CVS Track Shoplifting?
To prevent and deter shoplifting, CVS uses CCTV video monitoring to check the activities of all shoppers inside its stores. CVS also keeps track of all theft incidences at its stores by storing the various footage of shoplifters caught in the act. Doing this discourages repeat offenders from going back to the stores to steal.
For example, if caught stealing at a CVS store, you’ll be asked to give your name and address. CVS will then keep these details in its database and keep track of you, should you appear in its stores again. It also keeps data on items targeted by most shoplifters to know which products require more security.
FAQs
Is CVS strict about shoplifting?
Yes. CVS is very strict about shoplifting. The retailer has a zero-tolerance policy for any incidents of shoplifting. In addition to criminal prosecution, CVS will also ban you from entering its stores. If a CVS employee is caught shoplifting, they may be fired or prosecuted.
Can you go back to CVS after shoplifting?
Yes. You can go back to CVS after shoplifting. Ultimately, it all depends on the severity of the crime and how much time has passed since the incident happened. However, if you have been caught severally, you may be banned entirely from all CVS stores.
Does CVS have undercover security?
No. CVS does not have undercover security. However, the store has asset protection associates who dress like regular CVS staff to help reduce shoplifting cases in its stores.
How long do you remain banned from CVS if you are caught shoplifting?
While it’s unclear how long CVS will ban you for shoplifting, the actual ban may depend on the severity of your crime or how much you stole. Essentially the ban may last for several years, as long as they have records of the incident or until all employees who were present have stopped working there.
Does CVS have face recognition?
No. CVS does not use face recognition to deter shoplifting in its stores. The retailer, however, may keep a record of the names and addresses of shoplifters in its database for easier tracking.
Conclusion
Like most stores, CVS has suffered the brunt of shoplifting from people who target its expensive items. To prevent this, CVS has implemented measures to help reduce theft incidences and apprehend shoplifters.
All CVS stores use video surveillance cameras, asset protection associates, security tags and sensors, plus other measures to deter shoplifters.
If caught shoplifting at CVS, the store manager will decide the action to take. They may report you to the authorities or ban you from accessing CVS stores.
