So my last post went over great, so I put together some info based on the questions I got xoxo

Excuse my design skills, I’m a lifter not a designer. 

This is also based on my own time and my own experiences only 

1. TIMING

timing is everything-i either try to go either an hour before closing when the SAs are tired and lazy from wanting to go home or right at busy times like on Saturdays when everyone is out. Some people function better when lifting with crowds while others like privacy-know which one you function best at and go then. I would recommend 5-10 minutes in a location. Make a list of what you want before so you don’t get greedy which is so easy in seph0ra. Having a plan is also the best way to get in and out fast. I usually get 1-2 items…3 if I’m feeling bold. Know your limit and how much you can handle in x amount of time you allot yourself. If you hang around for longer than 10 minutes you will get serviced more and people will take more note of you since people usually spend 7-13 minutes in a seph0ra at my location at least. I always aim to be in the low average of shoppers.

2. APPERANCE

look somewhat put together, you don’t need to have a full on glam look but have some makeup on so the SAs don’t swarm you and think you know nothing about makeup then never leave your side. WEAR LONG SLEEVES. long sleeves are literally a godsend in Seph0ra. They make everything so much easier to conceal which I will go into further depth about later. Obviously don’t be in dirty sweatpants or something, my go to ‘fuck up seph0ra’ fit is a long comfy sweater/sweatshirt with leggings and a baseball cap and a bag of course. I usually use other shopping bags that are dark and you cannot see through for larger items.

3. BROWSING

When browsing for products always check for tags, if needed open the packaging if an SA asks just say you bought one but it was damaged blah blah blah… they will get bored and leave you alone. I always test products on myself in the mirrors even if I already know it’s mine, testing makeup looks less suspicious than someone grabbing something without examination or testing it on themselves. Swatch it, put in on your face, shop like REAL people do, pretend you’re debating whether to spend $40 on a fucking lipstick. When testing the product look around you in the mirror. Are there people around you? Can you use them to your advantage? where all the SAs? Are there cameras above you? How many cameras? Always keep your eyes open when browsing.

4. CONCEALING

For smaller items like lipstick, concealer sticks, whatever can fit up a sleeve comfortably just slide it up your sleeve. Take two of the same product, examine one with one hand while you slide the other one up your other sleeve FAST. I recommend ALWAYS moving when you do this, turning corners, going from standing to crouching to look at something else. After you have concealed the first item return the second one. An easy fool proof way is also reaching DEEP into a display where you hands cannot be seen then sliding it up your arm if you’re a bit more nervous. For eyeshadow palettes use the drop method once PERFECTED at home. I mean practiced and practiced and practiced. There are also blind spots which you should be concealing in at all times if possible. There probably are 1-2 blind spots at my location, but you can make your own by crouching, using people, walking, etc.

5. HOW TO WIN WITH SAs

SAs are trained to monitor what you are holding. So whenever possible don’t try to make lots of contact with them while not looking like you’re avoiding them. Fake a phone call if you feel overwhelmed and need to get to a part of the store fast. “Hey mom…. you want what? Another hair mask? Let me look at the options.” little things like this can help if you feel anxious, take time to regroup, conceal, dump, or whatever you need while on the phone. Don’t wanna fake a call? Google a random product to take a second to breathe. If needed fake a phone to get out. Ask SAs to help you test something. I ask an SA to help me match a foundation and just chat a little and compliment their makeup or whatever, i feel like if one SA approves you they all turn a blind eye. If an SA offers you a bag that’s literally their job, it doesn’t mean you’ve been sussed unless you get a weird vibe fro them, but I’ve been offered a bag so many times after they give me a product they’ve tested on me.

i find caught stories so helpful when i’m lifting, so i decided to make a masterpost for some popular stores! obviously this is not exhaustive, so feel free to add on. 

★ H&M 

ONE / TWO / THREE / FOUR 

★ SPENCER’S 

ONE / TWO 

★ SEPHORA 

ONE / TWO / THREE 

★ DEBENHAMS

ONE / TWO  

★ TARGET

ONE / TWO 

★ ULTA

ONE / TWO / THREE

★ URBAN OUTFITTERS 

ONE / TWO / THREE

★ AMERICAN EAGLE 

ONE / TWO

★ DILLARD’S 

Call the store. Ask to speak to the loss prevention department.

Me: “Hi. I’m looking for a job in loss prevention and am wondering if you’re hiring now.”

Them: “Yes we are!” (Great time to lift. They’re hiring. Which means they need people and if they still have LP they are just putting in their 2 weeks so they can get the hell outta there.) If they aren’t hiring, ask if you can still submit an application.

Me: “Thanks! Who can I ask for when I come in and apply?”

Them: “Ask for Johnny B Good. He’s our LP manager.”

Me: “Thank You!” Hangs up phone. Goes on Facebook and looks up Johnny B Good. Finds him. Cute photo of him and his wife. Awe look. They have a new baby. Sweet. So he’s gained some weight since 2010. Wow. Oh look at his 200 friends. Let’s check them out. LP are close with not only their own LP but other stores as well.

So now I know that Johnny B Good is the LP manager at my favorite store. I also know what he looks like and can watch out for him when I’m in the store. Bonus. If he’s the Manager, he’ll usually be in plain clothes bossing the other LP around so you can find out who they are as well!

This saved me from getting caught one day. I was on the lookout for Johnny B Good and there was no sign of him anywhere. I continued gathering all the stuff I wanted to lift plus the stuff I didn’t. I was about to exit and I got this weird gut feeling. Not now. I strolled around the store some more. I noticed this guy in a green t-shirt who walked passed me twice and it looked like he knew the store employees. It freaked me out that I was being followed and I started dumping sh-t fast!!! I decided maybe I should buy a few things and take a few things. As I’m turning the corner, I look back at green t-shirt and he’s chatting with guess who!? Johnny B Good!!! There he is!! Omg!! So I lift nothing, buy a few items and leave!! I go home and look at his fb again. There’s green t shirt on his friends list!

They stalk you. Why not stalk them? Could save your life one day!!! Does Johnny B Good think I’m a lifter? Maybe. Or maybe just an airhead who couldn’t make up her mind. Who knows. I stayed clear of that place for 6 months!! When I went back I saw him again. He had no clue who I was. I knew who he was though. And that’s all that matters!

When calling another store they not only told me they were hiring but couldn’t connect me to the LP manager because they literally had NO LP at the time and were desperately searching! Yipppeeeeeeeee!!!! I went there 5 days in a row! Lol. Great Hauls.

Information is power. Acquire it, use it!

The things I’ve learned. Too fucking extensive guys. LP is a whole new WORLD.

Let me share with you some of the more lesser known things since taking this job.

1.) Companies ARE aware of the lifting side of the internet, they DO read our posts for clues.

2.) Lifters are usually on their game when they think they can identify LP. Those posts about like “you know it’s LP when ______such and such happens_____” they’re DEADON

3.) Know at Târget, cameras are always watched by one or two people and they communicate with at least one or two plainclothes by texting.

4.) SO, if you notice someone near you twice in a store and they are texting and not really shopping….BIG CLUE.

5.) LP make bets on how many lifters they can catch. It is a boring job, we mostly watch the cameras and find honest people.

6.) Catching a lifter gives us an adrenaline rush. It’s a cat and mouse game. Making yourself obvious only fuels us to hunt down others.

7.) Acting SUS will get our attention immediately. Distraction may work to divert our attention.

8.) BIGGEST RED FLAGS:

–> Drag queens, transvestites, people who seem like they are in wonky clothes or dressed beyond their gender. If you look weird, we will watch you whether or not we think you’re lifting. It’s simple human curiosity and entertainment.

–> Minorities. Especially minorities in large groups.

–> Large groups of pre teen girls

–> Anyone with a big bag

–> People with baby bags and strollers

–> People who wear beanies, hoods, hats, or other accessories making their face hard to see.

–> People who avoid sale sections

9.) Internal theft is investigated a lot more than shoplifters sometimes.

10.) It’s a lot harder for us to see you conceal when you’re walking in a straight line and using your hands discreetly. Walking will make us have to zoom and adjust to your movements, it’s a pain in the ass.

Sure thing. I’m lazy in bed in the morning so why not? Guys this is gonna forever be my official Ulta “masterpost” everyone keeps asking me for, take it or leave it.1. Don’t park anywhere by it, so they can’t track your plates after you leave, just in case.2. Dress nicely, innocently, professionally, and don’t wear anything raggedy or they will judge you.3. I personally have found that my favorite time to go is on a weekend morning. If it’s just a little busy, but not too busy then, it’s ideal, and honestly I can conceal pretty damn openly and easily because it is very likely that no one is watching, and the manager is probably not looking at the cameras, or if she is, chances are it’s not me.4. When they greet you, reply very innocently and sweetly, don’t sound nervous WHATSOEVER.5. I go prestiege and take like one minute, then I pick out some random item, doesn’t even matter if I want it, then I go to get one of those shopping bags so it looks like I actually want stuff.6. I fill it up in one section, wander, then go to an area without anyone and with a pretty poor camera spot. Honestly a lot of times this is still in prestige if I see the manager is on floor (not watching the cameras) in a spot with the cameras away.7. Stuff the makeup from the Ulta bag into my bag. Stuff about half, so it looks normal. 8. Walk around and repeat this cycle, always having a little bit of stuff in your bag. 9. Put the bag back somewhere. I honestly don’t like returning it to the front because I feel like it looks weird, so I leave it somewhere, usually on a chair or something to be honest.10. If they ask you about anything, ask for a product they don’t have. Or, if you have a bunch of makeup and then they say “what are you looking for” I would say, oh I’m just picking out things that ______ can buy me for my birthday” because then they don’t expect you to buy anything.11. I don’t buy anything. I used to when I first started lifting there but now I don’t.12. I just walk out, sometimes on the phone, sometimes just normal. Don’t look nervous. I’m 95% percent sure they can’t chase you. 13. Enjoy your new overpriced makeup, and wonder why anyone would pay $30 for a little blush.

Okay, class is in session.

The top two photos show 1. RFID tags, 2. Soft Tag The bottom two photos show source tagging.

Remove all of these tags, and look thoroughly for them! These will definitely set off security towers!

A normal barcode is not charged or used for theft prevention, it’s used to keep track of stock being bought and what needs to be ordered. YOU CANNOT SET OFF TOWERS WITH A BARCODE.

RFID tags are a fucking pain in the arse to peel off because they are super sticky and peel off in parts. You’ll know how much of a bitch they are whenever you encounter them. Soft tags are easy, and you can stick them onto something else and then leave.

You should not assume just because an item of clothing has a security tag that requires a hook or magnet to take off that is doesn’t ALSO have these tags on it! The local beach wear clothes shop near me has all kinds of soft tags throughout their clothes and super tags!

Being the OCD person I am, I organized all the tips by store & various topics. I made this as a page yesterday, but the links wouldn’t work, so here’s a post. 

As stated before, this is a role-play blog, & if you attempt any of these, you are doing so at your own risk. Shoplifting is illegal, especially if you’re over 18 (in the US. not sure about other countries) Thanks for playing along! :)

All links open in a new window.

Cautionary Tales

I got caught in zara (someone else’s story)

Stuff that will get you caught up 

Half Price Book Scare

Security Tag Removal Guide

Tips/Tricks Megapost

Tips/Tricks Masterpost (do NOT do #53 however)

Cellphone trick

Up your sleeves technique

Various store tag/LP/dressing room/methods info  (US store at the top. UK stores below them. Followed by methods.)

Stores:

Victoria’s Secret 1

VS 2

VS 3

VS 4 (tip for bras)

Ulta Masterpost

Walmart

WalMart/Target

Target/Ulta/Beginner tips

Forever 21 Masterpost

Michael’s & Hobby Lobby

American Eagle/Aerie

Urban Outfitters

Express

Sephora (You’re better off going to Ulta)

Wet Seal

Carsons

Books-a-Million/Kohls/Michaels/Hobby Lobby/Joann Fabrics

Lifting clothes when the attendant counts the items

Guide to lifting clothing

Solution to the empty hanger problem

Leaving the fitting room with less that you walked in with

Other:

Magnet video

Split credit card method for gator tags (not sure if this actually works)

Protecting privacy online

Lifting Masterpost

Identifying undercover security

Store LP (loss prevention) info

Your lifting bag/purse

Store policies

Haul Inspiration

People that use magnets have purchased them from AliExpress, Ebay, & Amazon. The most popular one is the N52 neodymium magnet.

Many stores have magnet detectors!!!

Checks for tags EVERYWHERE. Some are hidden in seams of clothing! Some are hidden underneath bar codes! 

Unless you’re a pro, avoid these stores: WalMart, K-Mart, Kohls, JC Penny, Target, Macy’s, Dillards, Belks, Neiman Marcus, & other department stores.

NEVER shoplift at church sales, thift stores (except Salvation Army lmao), & yard sales. NEVER rob people. 

Don’t go there too often but I have a lowkey genius tip for not just f21 but stores that count items! So all you need is all the shit you wanna lift and then grab a rando pair of jeans or pants. Put your stuff into the pant legs when you get to a blind spot. Go to the rooms and be like “just these three pairs, my parents are ordering online so I’m trying to find out what size I am.” Now you have an excuse not to buy ANYTHING and you are able to get many items in the fitting room.😏😏😏😏

1.) SAs really don’t have training in loss protection. 2.) jewelry is THE highest shrink department; it is always watched in the manager’s office (it’s a pretty obvious cube in a corner of the store) 3.) Managers have cameras in their office they watch through. Usually they don’t pay attention, they’re too busy with paperwork. 4.) there’s no incentives for catching you 5.) bathrooms are unlocked 6.) “security scan all aisles” - it will overhead announce. Dump and leave. Fast. 7.) no LP 8.) yarn is a good blind spot 9.) cashiers can’t touch you, can’t chase you, nothing. We can’t 10.) nothing really has tags, because we couldn’t deactivate at the register. Like there was no magnet to deactivate with.

Today was my first lift since being caught. Talk about PARANOID!! It took me 5 HOURS to hit 3 stores in the mall.  

Pre-Caught, I’d hit about 5-7 stores in less than 2 hours and get 10x the amount!  I miss the confidence, adrenaline and FUN I had. I see it in you guys now.  Enjoy every minute of it people. I really hope to get it back one day.  Baby Steps….Or, baby hauls. 

So I thought several people were LP in any and every store I went into today. I was crazy paranoid!!!  ANYONE who made eye contact with me, pissed me off.  Especially MEN in Victoria Secret. Mind your own business Asshole!!! Constant staring, constant looking. A lifters pet peeve! Especially today.

So one mistake I made when I got caught was I paid zero attention to the two LP that were following me on foot. I kinda noticed them, but it wasn’t until afterwards that I kept kicking myself for not paying more attention.

After you leave a dressing room, walk away and then quickly go back as if you left something in it…because hopefully you did leave a few items behind so you have an excuse. Anyone rush in there? Pay attention.

You finally get into a dressing room to conceal and hear someone  go in the room next to you. If it’s not that busy, be very suspicious! Look underneath if you’re able to. Not completely underneath, Hahaha, but at their feet. Are they doing anything or just sitting there? If they’re not trying on clothes or seem to be trying on 1 item for 10 minutes, be careful.

Go to random areas of the store and reach into a pile of jeans and move them or re-stack a couple shirts. That person who followed you, do they go there too and pretend to look at the same stack? How convenient.

Do they get in line behind you? Not just anyone, but a person who’s been following you, checking your dressing room or constantly on their cell phone and watching you? Watch for this.