Vinted and eBay users issued security warning

As the new year gets underway and budgets stretch a little thin, those looking to treat themselves to a new outfit may be tempted to head to Vinted or eBay. However, a leading security expert is warning shoppers to stay vigilant, as shoplifting to order has increased over the last month, with thieves selling the goods on secondhand marketplaces.

‘Shoplifting to order’ is essentially when thieves are given a ‘shopping list’ of the exact items that they should steal from a certain shop or supermarket. Thieves will target items that are reasonably easy to conceal, such as jewellery, makeup, and branded goods; however, more brazen shoplifters have been known to opt for larger items as well.

Andrew Cockerill, Account Director – Retail at Kingdom Security, a security firm that supplies security personnel to a number of high street retailers, says: “While it might be tempting to think that putting an order in this way is a victimless crime, it is anything but – and even if the offender is caught it still means higher costs for retailers, which in turn is passed on to consumers.”

According to the Centre for Retail Research, shoplifting adds an estimated £133 onto the cost of an average UK household’s shopping bill each year.

With this in mind, Andrew is warning second-hand shoppers to remain vigilant when scrolling for bargains, especially when it comes to any that seem too good to be true.

He continues: “If you are purchasing items on Facebook Marketplace, Vinted or eBay, be mindful if the product is brand new but sold at a much lower value, and if the seller seems to sell a lot of high-value items in a similar way. 

Andrew adds that shoplifting, particularly from smaller businesses, can put shopkeepers and workers at risk: “In smaller shops without security, shopkeepers may be forced to confront the thief, which poses a danger to themselves and their staff.”