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Unintentional theft - what do I do?

36 replies

OneGreyBiscuit · 23/05/2026 10:44

I work at a supermarket and was just getting some bits when I finished my shift. I scanned the items through, put my discount card through and then got distracted by a customer asking me something. I've just checked my balance and it looks like I've not paid for what I bought because of being distracted. I'm really stressing on what to do. Do I take it back and explain and pay for it or do nothing. It was an honest mistake.

OP posts:
FattyMcFat50 · 23/05/2026 10:46

Own up. This is where you work. You're screwed if they find out and you haven't said anything.

Greenfingered1 · 23/05/2026 10:47

Go back, explain and pay for it. You're possibly on camera anyway but even if you're not, it's clearly worrying you, it would me, so get rid of the worry and go back. They will understand what happened.

Lazydomestic · 23/05/2026 10:47

Contact your work - shorten the explanation to your bank account doesn’t show the transaction. They can always check CCTV for what was scanned through

Whatevernext1 · 23/05/2026 10:48

I would take it back and pay for it,explain what's happened and all will be fine. I've done something similar and I couldn't have not returned and paid. It's not worth losing your job over. Security may have noticed and be keeping an eye on you to see if it happens again from experience in my store. It's so easily done so don't be worrying too much.

youalright · 23/05/2026 10:49

They probably already know and will mention it when your in next I would personally beat them to it and contact them.

ToadRage · 23/05/2026 10:51

At work i would own up explain it was an honest mistake and pay the next day.

youalright · 23/05/2026 10:52

At my work if someone has walked of without paying the first thing they will do is check the cameras so they will know its you

rwalker · 23/05/2026 10:52

Lazydomestic · 23/05/2026 10:47

Contact your work - shorten the explanation to your bank account doesn’t show the transaction. They can always check CCTV for what was scanned through

The best option

Mischance · 23/05/2026 11:03

Lazydomestic · 23/05/2026 10:47

Contact your work - shorten the explanation to your bank account doesn’t show the transaction. They can always check CCTV for what was scanned through

This is the thing to do. Tell them you are concerned it might not have gone through as you were distracted by a customer. You could always simply transfer the amount now and then have the conversation. Your goodwill and honesty will then.be very clear.

BCBird · 23/05/2026 11:19

I would simply explain

SixSevenShutUp · 23/05/2026 11:21

Sometimes the transaction doesn't go through immediately, so ask if they can check if its pending. It would be annoying to pay twice.

Truetoself · 23/05/2026 12:00

You need to own up. People have benn dismissed for this

PoppieCock · 23/05/2026 12:03

How is this even a question?

Of course you should put your mistake right and pay for it.

HouseMartinsHome · 23/05/2026 12:03

Definitely raise it. Be proactive.

If you are the one to bring it up and offer to pay, that coupled with cctv evidence that you scanned the items will back you up.

Absolutely do not leave it to chance

OneGreyBiscuit · 23/05/2026 13:11

Just to update, I went back, paid for the items and put them back on the shelf. I explained to my manager and said I was distracted by the customer, he was ok with it and said these things can happen. Thank you all for the advice.

OP posts:
PoppieCock · 23/05/2026 13:18

OneGreyBiscuit · 23/05/2026 13:11

Just to update, I went back, paid for the items and put them back on the shelf. I explained to my manager and said I was distracted by the customer, he was ok with it and said these things can happen. Thank you all for the advice.

Eh?

Wtf would you pay for the items and then put them back on the shelf? 😳

You do realise how buying and selling works, yes?

Barrenfieldoffucks · 23/05/2026 13:28

Do you mean you took the same items through, paid for them, then put them back? That makes sense, otherwise you'd have to take them all back to the supermarket

OneGreyBiscuit · 23/05/2026 13:34

Barrenfieldoffucks · 23/05/2026 13:28

Do you mean you took the same items through, paid for them, then put them back? That makes sense, otherwise you'd have to take them all back to the supermarket

Yes exactly that, my post was a bit confusing soz

OP posts:
TheHillIsMine · 23/05/2026 14:08

It is concerning you needed strangers to tell you the right thing to do.

Greenfingered1 · 23/05/2026 14:13

I'm surprised you managed to take the shopping and leave without the self-service kicking off and summoning a member of staff.

OneGreyBiscuit · 23/05/2026 14:43

TheHillIsMine · 23/05/2026 14:08

It is concerning you needed strangers to tell you the right thing to do.

I asked for advice, this is what this site is for, yes? I was concerned about owning up as I was worried they might think I do this often? And I told my workmate who said don't worry about it, but I was worried. But hey, thanks for your lovely comment, gave me all the feels!

OP posts:
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 23/05/2026 14:54

You’ll get a much better outcome if you tell them before they tell you! Presumably your discount card is linked to you?

swapsicles · 23/05/2026 16:06

Bit odd that you re purchased the items without checking first.
It could be a different team that deal with theft and so they still could get in contact.

TheHillIsMine · Yesterday 11:34

OneGreyBiscuit · 23/05/2026 14:43

I asked for advice, this is what this site is for, yes? I was concerned about owning up as I was worried they might think I do this often? And I told my workmate who said don't worry about it, but I was worried. But hey, thanks for your lovely comment, gave me all the feels!

Of course this site is for advice. The issue is you needed advice on what to do about whether to stay quiet or pay for the stuff you'd taken. Once you knew it hadn't gone through there should have only been one decision. They will know if you've done it before or not so that's ridiculous. Way to make a mistake into a deliberate decision to steal.

Monty36 · Yesterday 12:31

Absolutely own up to it.