A CRIMINAL attorney has revealed a major problem with staff at major retailers such as Walmart and Target – a glaring issue is ignored when they demand to check receipts.

George McCranie is a criminal defense attorney who also makes videos on YouTube, where he has gained more than 1,000 subscribers.

In one of his more popular videos, McCranie explained whether or not a customer has to show a receipt when leaving a store.

Most customers believe employees check receipts to curb theft but McCranie claims that’s not the only reason. 

“There are studies that show that for every shoplifting event, there are 13 employee thefts,” he said.

“So the greeter/receipt checker is there to make sure that the employees aren’t stealing.”

He added that these situations don’t apply to club stores such as Costco or Sam’s Club but rather typically retailers like Walmart or Target.

At club stores, when signing up for a membership, you’re agreeing to having your receipt being checked. 

“There is no legal requirement for you to show your receipt when you leave those regular retail stores,” said McCranie.

He explained that when a person is shopping at and putting the items in a cart, the items are still technically the store’s property.

However, once payment has been exchanged, the items are no longer store merchandise and belong to the customer.

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“After you pay for them, they’re your property and the store has no right to stop you and make you show a receipt that you own property they have absolutely no legal right.”

McCranie said employees can still ask for your receipt but a customer doesn’t have to show it if they don’t want to.

The video received over 800 comments with people sharing stories of their receipts being checked by store employees.

“I told them that not only would I not show them my receipt. But I did not appreciate being accused of shoplifting,” wrote one person.

“And that there were certainly enough cameras in the store, to provide evidence for their besmirchment of my character. As I walked out of the store I noticed other people begin refusing to show receipts as well, as they were behind me observing. I don’t think anyone appreciates being accused of shoplifting.”

A person responded, explaining that receipts are checked to not prevent thefts but to catch possible overcharges and undercharges.

“Cashiers do make mistakes. These businesses have to do their best to minimize loss, many times due to mistakes,” they wrote.

A third person said they were annoyed that stores such as Walmart already have digital copies of receipts and wonder why they feel the need to ask customers for theirs.

“The only thing dangerous about not showing your receipt is if Walmart wanted to crack down on it and ban customers who refuse but you would need corporate to care,” they wrote.

The U.S. Sun has reached out to Walmart and Target for comment.