CUSTOMERS have grown frustrated with having to show their receipts after ringing up items at self-checkout.

Some have called it an invasion of privacy while others said they felt as if they were being treated like criminals.

Walmart has had “receipt checkpoints” at several of its stores for years, which has led to several debates on whether or not to show proof of purchase.

“I just say ‘No thank you’ and keep walking,” wrote one person on Facebook. “I’ve never had an issue?”

“Unless there is a membership agreement I don’t believe they have the authority to stop you,” wrote another person.

A third person claimed that shoppers don’t have to stop as there is no law telling them they have to.

“In fact, it’s a health and safety issue to block an [exit],” the person wrote. “The law is clearly against this practice…it’s all illegal search and seizure.”

The person added that police need a warrant or probable cause to search a person’s home, “what makes anyone think a Walmart employee doesn’t?”

However, Walmart has said that it is part of their policy to check every receipt whenever possible.

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It is likely that most customers who shop at the retailer have come and gone without anyone checking their receipts, however.

Walmart greeters have the option to decide whether or not to ask for a receipt in most stores, according to LegalDefinitions.com.

In these cases, it’s usually when a customer has bought a big-ticket item such as a television or other electronics.

“No matter how often they ask for receipts, greeters are prohibited from going any further than this request unless they have reason to believe a theft has occurred,” read the website.

Those who refuse to show proof of purchase run the risk of being detained at the retailer.

This could lead to being falsely imprisoned or banned from the location.

Meanwhile, in stores like Costco where only members are allowed to shop, customers are required to comply with receipt checks as part of the membership agreement.

If a customer doesn’t agree to the rules, they can expect to lose their membership.