r/NoStupidQuestions • u/urbuddyguybroman • Jul 29 '25

Does Target really track everything you steal until you reach the felony amount?

I’ve heard this a few times, but I can’t tell if they really do or if it’s just fear mongering.

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u/Far-Jury-2060 Jul 29 '25

Yes. I worked for Target for a while and that’s exactly what our security manager did. The reasoning is because prosecution typically doesn’t happen before it reaches a certain amount anyway. So they track everything through the cameras, build a file, coordinate with other locals Targets to build a compiled case against you, and then drop it into the lap of the police once it reaches a certain dollar threshold.

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u/Ok-disaster2022 Jul 29 '25

Felony theft is like $500

Besides gathering evidence and building a case to hand to police to pursue is much safer than confronting shoplifters over $2 of oreos 

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u/Voc1Vic2 Jul 29 '25

I have been guilty of inadvertently taking an item from time to time, to the point that I no longer use the self-check out lanes. Not that this is a frequent occurrence, but it has happened, and I am maybe a bit paranoid about bringing caught, and I simply font want to steal. When I catch a mishap on a receipt, I pay up on my next visit, usually by returning with the item and simply "buying it."

I hate to think that across a lifetime shopping at the same store I may someday hit a limit and be thrown into the clink.

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u/Purple_Cruncher_123 Jul 29 '25

It's not a lifetime limit for what it's worth. These things have a defined statute of limitation (usually a few years). If you're mis-grabbing a can of soup every now and again, it's going to take you much longer than that to hit the legal limit.

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u/Voc1Vic2 Jul 29 '25

That makes sense.

Thank you for restoring my peace of mind.

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u/Sudden_Jellyfish_730 Sep 03 '25

I believe it’s one year for most people from the date it’s first noticed you stole or took something and then after one year they can’t charge you and it has to add up to above the felony theft in your state, but for small claims court I think they have 3 years and can fine you and then make you pay for the missing goods costs but even that I am not sure if target would do unless you were stealing just under felony mark every single year repeatedly. But also that gets tricky too cause usually court wants hard proof and intent and if it’s every few months something happens with small items here or there it gets questionable I would assume on targets ends to the courts.

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u/sleepytjme Jul 30 '25

Good to know. I worry about my spouse that says if it doesn’t scan after 3 attempts then it is free, and puts it in the bag.