What are some unethical and possibly illegal life hacks?

Former Loss Prevention Officer here. If you're strapped for cash and want a five finger discount, here's a few handy tips.

*Line a bag/purse with tinfoil. Tinfoil masks the security tags from the detectors at the entrance/exit of the store, it wont pick them up. You can also wrap the sensor in foil and it will have the same effect.

*Nail clippers are usually very capable of cutting cable sensors, the kind that are used on pairs of shoes. The advantage here is that in some areas you can be charged for carrying things like wirecutters, as it implies intent to shoplift, but nail clippers are totally normal thing to carry.

*Switch your shoes with some nice off the shelf ones, if you can get the sensors off, or lucky enough that the store doesn't use them, just walk in with an old pair of shoes and slip on some new ones. This is something I'd watch for every day, however. But if you are sneaky enough to do it out of view of cameras, you most likely won't be apprehended by the stores LP.

*Most stores have guidelines on what Loss Prevention can enforce. At my store I could not apprehend anyone, even if they blatantly stole an item, if the item(s) was less than $25 dollars. So keep your thefts under $25.

*In most jurisdictions it is a felony if you shoplift 3 times in 72 hours. Just because you didn't get caught the first or second time, doesn't mean they don't have video evidence of you stealing and they could be waiting for you to make this mistake.

*You can buy EAS removers online, but you can be charged if you're caught with them, as it implies intent.

*If you're going to switch price tags, make sure the items are similar enough that it will not cause suspicion, i.e. do not put a tag for a $5 pink shirt onto a pair of $80 blue jeans.

*Just look like you belong. Don't wear sunglasses, don't wear hats, big empty bags are a giveaway, don't look up at the cameras.

/r/AskReddit Thread