You could get in trouble for trying this supermarket self-checkout hack

As self-checkouts become common in supermarkets across the country, some people have devised tricks to outwit the system and save a few pounds on purchases made. One such person was recently warned by lawyers that the act is illegal and could land her in trouble.

‘Everyone does it’

A woman, writing into News.com.au’s Sisters In Law, which allows people to ask questions about legal dilemmas they may have, shared a friend’s ‘hack’ and was wondering if it was legal or not. According to her, the friend would put more expensive fruits and vegetables like avocados through the system, but would list them as brown onions instead because those are cheaper. The friend’s defence is that supermarket managers know ‘everyone does it’, thus factoring in the cost of self-checkout fraud into prices.

In response, sisters and lawyers, Alison and Jillian Barrett explain that the act of intentionally not paying the right price for items is deceitful and illegal.

Your friend's technique of using the self-service checkout to pass off more expensive items as cheaper ones cheats the system by underpaying. Her fraudulent behaviour is just one of many tricks employed by self-service thieves to avoid payment.

Trust based system

Self-service checkouts are common features in most supermarkets but, like most things electronic, they are not without fault. The Liverpool Echo reports that when it comes to not cheating the system, supermarkets rely on human honesty. However, not everyone is inclined to use these tills in a trustworthy way.

The legal duo warn that if caught, offenders could face the law which in the case of Australia, could range from fines to criminal charges for repeat offenders.

You have to ask, is saving a few dollars on avocados worth the risk?

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