Organized Shoplifting Rises As Economy Stays Weak (Miami one of the cities)

Organized Shoplifting Rises As Economy Stays Weak

Bonnie Kavoussi
huffingtonpost.com
June 6, 2012

Shoplifting is on the rise.

Nineteen out of 20 retailers have been victims of organized retail crime over the past year, according to a report released by the National Retail Federation on Tuesday. That is up from 16 out of 20 in 2007. And two-thirds of retailers said they have seen an increase in organized retail crime over the past year.

Organized retail crime involves shoplifting with the intent of selling the goods, according to the report. Thieves usually sell stolen goods on street corners, at flea markets, or at pawn shops; return them for fraudulent refunds; or sell them online through auction sites and other websites.

Organized retail crime is most common in Atlanta, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix, and San Francisco, according to the report.

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