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Original poster

security guard asking to see bank app

98 replies

ocpwr · 29/07/2023 19:40

Is it ever acceptable for a security guard in a shop to demand to look at my bank app to prove that i had paid for my shopping? That happened to me today in a very well known shop and to be honest i am still reeling a bit.
I do have mental health issues so my brain gets a bit confused sometimes.

OP posts:
Littlefish · 29/07/2023 19:42

If you weren't able to show a receipt for your shopping, then I think it sounds reasonable to be asked to show the transaction on your app.

dementedpixie · 29/07/2023 19:44

I wouldnt be happy and the transaction may not even show up straight away. Surely he can check at the till as to whether you have paid

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 29/07/2023 19:45

https://ableinvestigations.com/what-security-guards-can-and-cant-do-in-the-uk/

I imagine phone would come under personal property, which they aren't allowed to look at.

What happens if you don't pay by phone and don't have an app? contact the shop and ask what gives security guard authority to do this.

AnSolas · 29/07/2023 19:45

No it is not something a security guard should demand.

Starseeking · 29/07/2023 19:46

I wouldn't be showing anyone in any shop anything on my personal phone. They can check the till receipts.

dementedpixie · 29/07/2023 19:47

Littlefish · 29/07/2023 19:42

If you weren't able to show a receipt for your shopping, then I think it sounds reasonable to be asked to show the transaction on your app.

Well I think its unreasonable and that he should check the till rather than demanding to see OPs personal banking app.

Glassfullofdreams · 29/07/2023 19:49

Absolutely not acceptable. I would have refused.

saffronsoup · 29/07/2023 19:50

Show the receipt. They can ask for proof of purchase.

guzzleandstuff · 29/07/2023 19:51

He asked, OP said no. He doesn't have a right to see it - but he can ask. He can then spend much longer checking the till while OP waits.

Original poster
ocpwr · 29/07/2023 19:51

Thank you for your replies, a friend said that she wouldn't have minded so i wasn't sure whether i was overeacting but it felt too personal. I did ask him to check the till but he insisted on seeing my banking app. Will always take my receipt now

OP posts:
BiscuitsandPuffin · 29/07/2023 19:51

He'd get short shrift with me, I don't do banking apps. But then I always get the receipt when I've bought stuff.
Also, it's actually pointless him asking to see your banking app, it won't be itemised so he'll have no idea if you scanned all of your shopping/put it all on the conveyor or not. It's just a dickish power play and I bet he wouldn't do it to any of the threatening-looking men who walk out of shops with trolleys full of food they haven't paid for.

1AnotherOne · 29/07/2023 19:52

I bet it’s Zara

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 29/07/2023 19:53

If your friend is happy to meekly hand over her personal financial details for a stranger to look at then that's her look out. It doesn't mean you have to be.

LakeTiticaca · 29/07/2023 20:01

No way. Tell them to look at CCTV is they don't believe you paid. Or better still, make sure you take a receipt

rwalker · 29/07/2023 20:05

How would checking the till show you’d bought it
yes it would show item had been sold but wouldn’t prove it was sold to you somebody else could of bought that

dementedpixie · 29/07/2023 20:07

This is the problem with tills where you can say no to having a receipt. Was it a supermarket or a different kind of store?

dementedpixie · 29/07/2023 20:08

rwalker · 29/07/2023 20:05

How would checking the till show you’d bought it
yes it would show item had been sold but wouldn’t prove it was sold to you somebody else could of bought that

So the items match the till and were paid for? It would be a bit of a coincidence if someone else bought and paid for exactly the same items at the same time as the OP

FictionalCharacter · 29/07/2023 20:09

BiscuitsandPuffin · 29/07/2023 19:51

He'd get short shrift with me, I don't do banking apps. But then I always get the receipt when I've bought stuff.
Also, it's actually pointless him asking to see your banking app, it won't be itemised so he'll have no idea if you scanned all of your shopping/put it all on the conveyor or not. It's just a dickish power play and I bet he wouldn't do it to any of the threatening-looking men who walk out of shops with trolleys full of food they haven't paid for.

100%.

dementedpixie · 29/07/2023 20:09

And the banking app might show a pending transaction but would not have come out of the account as quickly as that

TheChosenTwo · 29/07/2023 20:17

I usually pay with Apple Pay if I nip into a supermarket and the transaction instantly flashes up on my Home Screen as a transaction and the total amount. I’d have no problem showing that to anyone.

rwalker · 29/07/2023 20:27

dementedpixie · 29/07/2023 20:08

So the items match the till and were paid for? It would be a bit of a coincidence if someone else bought and paid for exactly the same items at the same time as the OP

Show quote history

Shop lifting is literally an industry thieves are ingenious

mummybear247 · 29/07/2023 21:10

ocpwr · 29/07/2023 19:40

Is it ever acceptable for a security guard in a shop to demand to look at my bank app to prove that i had paid for my shopping? That happened to me today in a very well known shop and to be honest i am still reeling a bit.
I do have mental health issues so my brain gets a bit confused sometimes.

I would of told him NO and to piss off and check the till it's happened a fair few times to me at a well known supermarket 4 times in a week so I put in a complaint as it's the same person every time

Littlefish · 29/07/2023 21:35

guzzleandstuff · 29/07/2023 19:51

He asked, OP said no. He doesn't have a right to see it - but he can ask. He can then spend much longer checking the till while OP waits.

Exactly. I don't see a problem with him asking. The OP doesn't have to agree.

Yusay · 29/07/2023 23:17

Plenty of thieves get work as security guards. No way would I open my banking app in front of one and I’d refuse on principle because it sounds like an ignorant man on a power trip.

A security guard has no right to detain you, no right to inspect your bags, he can only do the things you give him permission to do, or he can declare you no longer welcome in the shop and escort you out of it.

DarkDarkNight · 29/07/2023 23:20

No it’s not acceptable. Was it a supermarket where they mostly use self service tills then want to check after?