Sephora Shoplifting Policy (Don’t Make These Mistakes)
Sephora often showcases irresistible makeup that overwhelms one’s emotions. Unfortunately, most of these makeup items come at a high price, and it’s easy to resist buying one.
But what if you’re caught stealing at a Sephora store? Do beauty brands have shoplifting policies? Read on and get the info!
What is Sephora’s shoplifting policy in 2022?
After employees raised the alarm, Sephora immediately investigated shoplifters. Typically, the acronym “NORA” is used to identify potential shoplifters in 2022. Additionally, the store has loss prevention staff and security personnel to deter and detain suspected shoplifters. Depending on the case at hand, Sephora could sue shoplifters. In some cases, Sephora will bar people suspected of shoplifting from entering its premises.
Read on for more information on whether Sephora is suing shoplifters, if you’re caught stealing at Sephora, what happens if you get caught, and more!
Will Sephora sue thieves?
No doubt, Sephora sued the thief. Sephora is working closely with the state’s police to bring charges against people caught committing thefts from the store.
In this case, a Sephora employee may detain you while waiting for the police to formally arrest you.
Still, it’s worth noting that Sephora employees can’t detain suspected shoplifters unless they’re 100% sure they took the item from the store.
Additionally, Sephora will only prosecute if there is indisputable evidence of shoplifting.
Will you be caught stealing at Sephora?
Stealing at Sephora is easy to spot because the store has many plainclothes security guards mingling with typical shoppers.
Sephora’s security team works in the background and can’t tell them apart from other regular shoppers.
Typically, security teams are looking for shoppers who describe the following behaviors:
- Take unpaid makeup and put it in your personal bag.
- Grab many of the same makeup products or a ton of beauty products.
- Buy a shopping bag at the Sephora store and put your makeup that you haven’t paid for.
- Carry a shopping bag in the store and put unpaid items in it.
- Watching, pacing, or wandering around nervously.
What if you get caught shoplifting at Sephora?
If you’re caught shoplifting at Sephora, you’ll be taken to a secret room inside the store, where staff will interrogate you and ask you to return what you took.
The interrogation process may involve several questions, including whether you have shoplifted in the past.
Depending on the outcome of the interrogation, the security guard may ask the police to write a subpoena.
In this case, the police can formally arrest the shoplifting suspect.
After that, they will be charged with petty theft and appear at the desk. Depending on the circumstances, the suspect can be arraigned in court.
If Sephora doesn’t charge shoplifters, security guards ask suspects for their details: birthday and name.
They will also take a photo of you and note other identifying details, such as hair color and height.
After that, the suspect will be officially banned from shopping at future Sephora stores.
It’s worth noting that Sephora reports to the police when someone is banned from Sephora for shoplifting.
So if you get caught trying to shoplift again, the person in charge will be able to see that similar incidents have happened before.
In this case, you may not be convicted of a first offense.
How do Sephora employees identify potential pickpockets?
When a Sephora employee spots a suspected pickpocket, they use the special codename “NORA,” an acronym for “Need Officer Right Away.”
Immediately, an employee used the code and a security officer was deployed to investigate the situation.
Note that Sephora employees are not supposed to solve shoplifting cases until police arrive at the scene.
The policy protects employees and other shoppers if the situation escalates.
How does Sephora stop thieves?
Sephora uses the following mechanisms to deter shoplifting in branded brick-and-mortar stores:
- Hire loss prevention personnel to keep an eye on customers.
- Trained security guards are hired to physically supervise customers via CCTV at the back of the store.
- Install high-resolution cameras to assist in monitoring employee and customer behavior.
- Design a store layout that makes it difficult for pickpockets to hide.
- There are enough security guards to take immediate action in suspected shoplifting cases.
Does Sephora have a loss prevention feature?
Sephora has a loss prevention investigator. Here are some of the duties of a Sephora Loss Prevention Investigator related to shoplifting:
- Conduct effective surveillance in person or use CCTV cameras to deter or arrest shoplifters.
- Prepare and complete reports related to shoplifting.
- If subpoenaed, testify on behalf of Sephora.
- Investigating a theft at a Sephora store.
Will you be charged with shoplifting after leaving a Sephora store?
Pickpockets could be prosecuted after leaving a Sephora store.
Because shoplifting can only be proven if evidence is provided that the suspect fled with items without paying, the charge is complete once the defendant leaves the store.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on when Sephora restocks, whether Sephora allows dogs, and Sephora price matching.
in conclusion
Ultimately, Sephora takes shoplifting cases seriously and can file charges if there is hard evidence. In other cases, Sephora can bar people suspected of shoplifting from shopping at Sephora stores.
