I’m a consumer expert – you don’t have to show receipts in most states, but staff have another move if they suspect you

WHEN shopping at major retailers across the country, most individuals are not required to show their receipt but businesses can take further action if they suspect shoplifting, experts warn. 

Dale Cardwell, an award winning journalist and consumer investigator, recently took to social media to reveal if shoppers are required to show their receipt after checking out. 

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For months, retailers like Walmart, Target, and more have resorted to asking customers for their receipts when exiting the store in an effort to curb shoplifting.

However, the anti-theft measures have been blasted by shoppers, who claim it increases the time it takes to leave the store or that it ruins the customer experience.

In a video uploaded to TikTok, Cardwell revealed that he was asked if shoppers are required to show their receipt every time they leave Walmart. 

“That depends,” Cardwell started out. 

“In most states, you are not legally required to show your receipt to a store employee.” 

Though if individuals ignore the request, Cardwell warned employees can take further action if they suspect any theft. 

“Employees can still ask to see it, and if they suspect you of shoplifting they can call the police and have them handle it.” 

Cardwell went on to recommend individuals speak with an attorney for any additional legal questions about showing a receipt when asked. 

While there may be no overarching legal requirement to hand over a receipt after shopping, customers belonging to membership based grocery stores such as Costco and Sam’s Club may be required due to their membership policy. 

Additionally, legal experts have warned that not showing a receipt can be considered probable cause for shoplifting in five states. 

Shawn Breyer, an attorney at The Hive Law firm, also acknowledged that in most places across the country, shoppers are not required to hand over their receipt. 

“But, there are five states where it’s illegal and not showing your receipt is probable cause for shoplifting,” he said. 

Specifically, receipts request can be required in the following states: 

• California
• Florida
• Illinois
• New York 
• Washington  

“In these states, not showing your receipt is probably cause for shoplifting,” Breyer said. 

If a shopper refuses to hand over the receipt, retailers like Walmart are able to detain the individual and call the police. 

Receipt checks and other anti-theft measures implemented in recent months have come heavily under fire from shoppers. 

Some have suggested that the policies have made them feel like a “criminal.” 

“All I can say is I stopped going into Walmart because all they seem to have is self-checkout and then they want to treat me like a criminal and check my receipt,” one Walmart shopper wrote in a recent post to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. 

“I always walk right past them, which I seem to get away with being a middle-aged white man and all,” he added.Other shoppers likened the receipt checks as Costco and Walmart to “police.”