A man has shared how Walmart can track what customers are buying at the self-checkout tills - and stop people from stealing.
The supermarket uses small handheld devices which alert workers when something appears unusual - prompting them to double-check nothing is being stolen .
A popular TikTok account showed how the employees use the handheld device to detect when a customer bags an item without scanning it
Zebra Technologies makes the devices which were explained in depth by TikTok user @thewalmartguy69, who said they were an Walmart employee.
"POV: We know when you're stealing," the text over the clip said.
The devices can reportedly tell raise alarm if the items a customer puts in their bag weren't scanned - and can let an employee pause a customer's purchase so they cannot finish checking out until they call an employee over for help.
Some commenters on the initial video were startled by the technology, as many admitted they had no idea - while a few admitted they had accident
"I walked out of Walmart with one of those big bags of dog food because I forgot to pay for it," one commenter admitted.
"I accidentally stole twice. It was smoked paprika and a hat. Now I make sure that I check to see what I checked out," added another.
"I once scanned three jars of baby food too close together at self checkout and it made a loud buzz sound and froze my machine until a worker came over to watch the video of me scanning the jars," commented a third.
Another TikTok user also got a close look at one of the Zebra Technologies devices when a worker accidentally left it in his bag.
The customer ended up returning it to Walmart after other users told him the machines cost $1,000 and that the company could try to have him arrested.
Meanwhile, another US grocery store chain has implemented a limit to shoppers using self-checkouts in an attempt to crack down on high rates of shoplifting.
Now, shoppers hoping to use the self-checkout at the Giant supermarket in Rockville, Maryland, are met with a sign saying: "Self-checkout is limited to 20 items or less".
The change was brought about in the suburb 15 miles outside of Washington DC in response to high rates of shoplifting, according to Rockville Nights.
Walmart has been contacted for comment.
