Shoplifting is committed by every age and socio-economic demographic. Some may shoplift because they are desperate and feel stealing is their only option. Others may get a thrill out of taking an item from a store and getting away with it. Still others may be pressured by their peers to steal. According to New Health Advisor, here are the reasons why most people shoplift:

–Financial Difficulty

–Low Risk of Getting Caught

–Peer Pressure

–Emotional Problems

–Kleptomania (an actual psychological disorder)

Regardless of the reason, there are ways to spot potential shoplifters. Here are a few.

Nervousness.  Does a customer appear anxious, avoid eye contact with others, seem more interested in where store employees are located instead of actually shopping? Are they lingering in hard-to-see areas of the store?

Oversized Clothing. Shoplifters have to put their stolen items somewhere. Look for customers wearing oversized clothing (especially coats when it’s warm outside), large shopping bags from other stores and big purses.

Large Groups. Shoplifters often come into a store in groups and immediately spread out. The numbers are meant to distract store clerks who can’t keep an eye on everyone. They can also work in pairs or come in with noisy kids, again, in an attempt to distract.

Leave Without Buying.  A study by the University of Florida found that those customers who left a store without going through the checkout line were “six times more likely to be shoplifters.”

Much can be done to lessen loss due to shoplifting: security cameras and signs posted prominently throughout the store, walk-through metal detectors, security tags on garments, security guards to patrol the premises and staff who are trained to notice suspicious activity and notify security personnel so appropriate action can be taken.