Watch Out: This Michigan Scam Is Happening at Self-Checkout

There's a scam to be mindful of in Michigan next time you use the self checkout at your favorite grocery store.

It almost happened to me this weekend at my local Meijer, and would have cost me almost $30 had I not sensed something wrong just before scanning my card to pay for my groceries.

I hadn't picked up many items — three 6-packs of Coke Zero, a carton of ice cream, and a movie theater box of candy (don't judge me). The total came to $48 and change.

Wait, what?

Is there a new tariff on pralines and cream?

READ MORE: Alert - Major Scam Hitting Michigan Amazon Users

I immediately scrolled up on the screen to see whether I'd mistakenly scanned some items multiple times, or whether something was ringing up at the wrong price.

That's when I noticed the problem.

How the Scam Works

I was also being charged for potato chips, several canned goods, and a couple cuts of meat — none of which had been in my cart.

I alerted an attendant, who immediately identified the person responsible: the woman at the next self checkout station, now hurriedly attempting to pay for some of her groceries and get out of the store. A manager dealt with her. The attendant was able to void the erroneous items on my bill, I paid the $20 I actually owed and went on my way.

I guess this woman figured most customers blindly pay whatever the register says they owe. She'd have a receipt in her hand as she exited, and none of the barcodes on any of her items would trigger any alarms since everything had been paid for (even though a lot of her bill would have been footed by another unsuspecting customer.)

Get our free mobile app

Maybe it's the oldest trick in the book. But it was a new one on me.

How to Protect Yourself at Self-Checkout

Moral of the story: pay attention when you're at the self checkout. Make sure there aren't any items on the screen already before you get started scanning your own things. Review the screen for accuracy before paying for anything.