Target shopper banned from every store in the US as he’s caught repeatedly using ‘skip scan’ trick at self-checkout
A STATE trooper has been banned from ever visiting a Target store again after he got caught stealing hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise. Zachariah…
A STATE trooper has been banned from ever visiting a Target store again after he got caught stealing hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise.
Zachariah Kent, a Massachusetts State Police trooper, has been suspended without pay as he faces several counts of theft in Worcester County.
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A state trooper got caught using a skip scan method at self-checkout machines to steal hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise[/caption]
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Retail giants such as Target and Walmart have begun imposing strict anti-theft measures[/caption]
Kent, 30, has been charged with three thefts at a Target in Worcester and a theft in Millbury, Massachusetts.
His multiple thefts led a judge to ban the trooper from the massive retailer.
The state trooper was caught on camera stealing dozens of items using a “skip scan” tactic where he paid for some items at self-checkout and not others, Mass Live reported.
At a location in Millbury, Massachusetts, Kent got caught stealing around $850 in Target merchandise from January to September 2024.
On September 22, 2024, the retail giant’s loss prevention team identified Kent as a suspect in 22 shoplifting cases spread across several Targets.
Kent’s alleged shoplifting cases ranged from products priced as low as $20 to over $200.
He faced arraignment on February 13.
“When these troubling allegations came to our attention, the department immediately relieved the accused trooper of duty, opened an internal affairs investigation, and suspended him without pay following his duty status hearing,” State Police said in a statement.
“We remain fully committed to cooperating with investigators as we await the result of the criminal process.”
RISING THEFT
Kent isn’t the only retail shopper to try to take advantage of the self-checkout system.
Idaho man Dylan Rockwell creatively used a homemade barcode ring to significantly slash prices while using self-checkout machines.
A Walmart employee notified the police of a theft in progress when they caught the 32-year-old attempting to ring up a $300 grill for $0.70.
Rockwell fled before the police were able to catch him, but he finally got arrested when he was later charged with felony burglary.
In 2023, retail theft cost US businesses over $121 billion, according to a study done by Capital One.
That number is expected to rise to $150 billion by 2026 if shoplifting isn’t curved.
To prevent the continued loss, retailers are trying new ways to dissuade shoplifters by limiting self-checkout machines to a certain number of items, or in extreme cases, eliminating self-checkout altogether.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, that test run has been phased out.
At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.
Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.
As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.
Shoppers have also spotted their local Walmart stores restricting customers to 15 items or less to use self-checkout machines.
Walmart began restricting certain self-checkout lanes to Walmart+ subscribers only, while Target started imposing 10 items or fewer rules on self-checkout stations.
However, the increased security limits began to deter rule-following customers from shopping at major retailers completely.
Walmart CEO Timothy Wentworth acknowledged that the necessary anti-theft measures has impacted the store’s sales.
“When you lock things up, you don’t sell as many of them,” Wentworth said. “We’ve kind of proven that pretty conclusively.”
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/canadian-money.jpg?id=55351984&width=2000&height=1500&coordinates=152%2C0%2C152%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>A new year is just around the corner, and so is a fresh wave of <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/government-payments" target="_blank">government payments</a> Quebecers can receive next month. </p><p>If you're feeling the squeeze post-holidays, these payments from the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/canada-revenue-agency" target="_blank">Canada Revenue Agency</a> (CRA) and Revenu Québec in January can help you kick off 2025 on the right foot, supporting everything from child benefits to pension payments.</p><p>January's lineup includes monthly standbys like the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/canada-child-benefit-increase-2025" target="_blank">Canada Child Benefit</a> and <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/old-age-security" target="_blank">Old Age Security</a>, as well as quarterly benefits like the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/canada-workers-benefit" target="_blank">Canada Workers Benefit</a>, <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/gst-hst-credit-increase-2025" target="_blank">GST/HST Credit</a> and more from the feds. Plus, eligible Quebecers can look forward to several provincial payments this month, including the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/solidarity-tax-credit" target="_blank">Solidarity Tax Credit</a>, the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/family-allowance" target="_blank">Family Allowance</a> and more.</p><p>Here's everything you need to know about the CRA and Revenu Québec benefit payments for January 2025, from who qualifies to how much you can expect and when the money will land in your account.</p><h3>Family Allowance</h3><br/><p>The Family Allowance is a provincial program that offers financial assistance to families with kids under 18, helping cover the costs of raising children. Payments are typically sent out quarterly in January, April, July and October, although families can choose to receive monthly payments instead. 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Eligibility and the amount you qualify for are based on your family income and situation as of December 31 of the previous year. For the 2024 payment year, maximum income thresholds ranged from $61,500 for single individuals to $67,067 for couples, with an extra $2,517 added for each dependent child.</p><p><strong>How much you can get:</strong> The credit is made up of three components: housing, QST and northern villages. To estimate your total payment, you can use Revenu Québec's <a href="https://www.revenuquebec.ca/en/online-services/tools/solidarity-tax-credit-payments-estimator/" target="_blank">Solidarity Tax Credit Payments Estimator</a>.</p><p>The payment schedule depends on the total amount you qualify for:</p><ul><li>$240 or less is paid as a lump sum in July.</li><li>$241 to $799 is divided into four payments (July, October, January and April).</li><li>$800 or more is paid monthly.</li></ul><p><strong>Next payment date:</strong> January 3, 2025</p><p><a href="https://www.revenuquebec.ca/en/citizens/tax-credits/solidarity-tax-credit/" target="_blank">More about the Solidarity Tax Credit</a></p><h3>GST/HST Credit</h3><br/><p>The <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/gst-hst-credit" target="_blank">GST/HST Credit</a> is a tax-free quarterly payment designed to help individuals and families with low or modest incomes recover some of the federal sales tax they've paid. This payment can also include additional support from provincial and territorial programs. Eligibility is automatically assessed when you file your taxes with the CRA.</p><p>To qualify, you generally need to be at least 19 years old. However, if you're younger than 19, you could still be eligible if you have (or had) a spouse or common-law partner, or if you are (or were) a parent living with your child. You must also be a Canadian resident for income tax purposes both the month before and at the beginning of the month when the payment is made.</p><p><strong>How much you can get:</strong> The amount you get depends on your adjusted family net income and the number of children you have. For the January 2025 quarterly payment, you could receive up to</p><ul><li>$129.75 if you're single</li><li>$170 if you're married or have a common-law partner</li><li>An additional $44.75 for each child under 19</li></ul><p><strong>Next payment date:</strong> January 3, 2025</p><p><span></span><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/goods-services-tax-harmonized-sales-tax-gst-hst-credit.html" target="_blank">More about the GST/HST Credit</a></p><h3>Shelter Allowance</h3><br/><p>The Shelter Allowance Program offers monthly financial support to low-income individuals and families in Quebec who spend a large portion of their income on housing. This assistance is available to tenants, homeowners and boarders. The amount you receive is based on your household income, living situation and how much of your income goes toward housing costs.</p><p><strong>How much you can get:</strong> From October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, eligible participants can receive up to $170 per month. If you apply during this timeframe, your first payment will include retroactive amounts backdated to October 1, 2024, covering any support you've qualified for since then.</p><p><strong><span></span>Next payment date:</strong> Within the first five days of January 2025</p><p><a href="https://www.revenuquebec.ca/en/citizens/your-situation/low-income/shelter-allowance-program/" target="_blank">More about the Shelter Allowance</a></p><h3>Advanced Canada Workers Benefit</h3><br/><p>The <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/canada-workers-benefit" target="_blank">Canada Workers Benefit</a> (CWB) is a refundable tax credit designed to support low-income individuals and families, offering a basic amount and a disability supplement that can be claimed when you file your taxes.</p><p>Through the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB) program, eligible individuals can receive advance payments of up to 50% of their annual CWB allotment, split into three installments. To qualify, you must have earned income below your province or territory's threshold, be a Canadian resident for the entire year, and be at least 19 years old by December 31, or live with a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child.</p><p><strong>How much you can get:</strong> The maximum annual basic CWB is $1,518 for singles and $2,616 for families, with an additional $784 for the disability supplement — although residents of Quebec, Nunavut and Alberta may receive different amounts.</p><p>For the January 2025 payment, eligible recipients could receive:</p><ul><li>Up to $253 if you're single</li><li>Up to $436 if you have a spouse or common-law partner</li><li>An additional $130.66 if you qualify for the disability supplement</li></ul><p><strong>Next payment date:</strong> January 10, 2025</p><p><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-workers-benefit.html" target="_blank">More about the Canada Workers Benefit</a></p><h3>Public sector pension plans (RREGOP, RRPE, etc.)</h3><br/><p>Retired public sector employees in Quebec who are part of plans like RREGOP or RRPE receive their pensions monthly for life. Payments are deposited on the 15th of each month, or the nearest business day if the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday. For those receiving their pension by cheque instead of direct deposit, cheques are mailed no later than 48 hours before the scheduled payment date.</p><p><strong>Next payment date:</strong> January 15, 2025</p><h3>Canada Child Benefit</h3><br/><p>The <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/canada-child-benefit" target="_blank">Canada Child Benefit</a> (CCB) is a monthly tax-free payment that helps families manage the expenses of raising kids. Delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency, the benefit also includes additional financial aid for families with children who have disabilities.</p><p>To qualify for the CCB, you need to live with a child under 18 and be responsible for their care. You must also be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, and either you or your spouse must meet certain residency requirements, like being a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.</p><p><strong>How much you can get:</strong> The amount you receive depends on your family's income, how many children you have and their ages. Families with a 2023 adjusted net income below $36,502 qualify for the maximum payments. This includes up to $648.91 monthly per child under 6 and up to $547.50 per month for children aged 6 to 17. Payments decrease as income rises.</p><p>If your child has a disability that makes you eligible for the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/child-disability-benefit.html" target="_blank">Child Disability Benefit</a>, that amount will be included with your CCB payment as well.</p><p><strong>Next payment date:</strong> January 20, 2025</p><p><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-child-benefit-overview.html" target="_blank">More about the Canada Child Benefit</a></p><h3>Old Age Security</h3><br/><p>The <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/old-age-security" target="_blank">Old Age Security</a> (OAS) pension provides a monthly financial boost to Canadians aged 65 and over, helping with the cost of everyday living. You could be eligible for OAS even if you're still employed or have never worked.</p><p>To be eligible, you must be at least 65 years old and have spent at least 10 years living in Canada after the age of 18. If you reside outside Canada, a minimum of 20 years of Canadian residency is required. Most people are automatically enrolled, but if you don't receive an enrollment letter from Service Canada in the month after your 64th birthday, you may need to apply manually.</p><p><strong>How much you can get:</strong> From January to March 2025, the maximum monthly OAS payment is $727.67 for those aged 65 to 74 and $800.44 if you're 75 or older. These payments are reviewed quarterly to reflect inflation but did not increase this quarter. 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In 2024, the maximum monthly payment for starting QPP at 65 was $1,365, though the average recipient received closer to $682. Starting early at 60 capped the maximum at $873, while delaying until age 72 could increase the maximum to $2,167 per month.</p><p><strong>Next payment date:</strong> January 31, 2025</p><p><a href="https://www.rrq.gouv.qc.ca/en/retraite/rrq/Pages/calcul_rente.aspx" target="_blank">More about the Quebec Pension Plan</a></p><h3>Veteran Disability Pension</h3><br/><p>The Veteran Disability Pension is a monthly benefit designed to support veterans living with a disability related to their military service. Eligible groups include Canadian Armed Forces veterans, those who served during the Second World War or the Korean War, and some current or former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Certain civilians who participated in the Second World War may also be eligible.</p><p>To qualify, you must have a diagnosed medical condition that is service-related. This pension provides lifetime monthly payments and includes extra support for dependents, such as a spouse or children.</p><p><strong>How much you can get:</strong> Payment amounts depend on your disability level. Veterans with the highest disability rating (Class 1) can receive a maximum of $3,357.30 per month, plus additional amounts for dependents: $839.33 for a spouse, $436.45 for the first child, $318.94 for the second child and $251.80 for each additional child.</p><p><strong>Next payment date:</strong> TBA (typically last week of the month)</p><p><a href="https://veterans.gc.ca/en/mental-and-physical-health/physical-health-and-wellness/compensation-illness-or-injury/disability-benefits" target="_blank">More about the Veteran Disability Pension</a></p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
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