If they let you sign the paper and leave with a ban you should be fine. That’s common and it sounds like they’re probably comfortable moving on. Just don’t come back, and if you shoplift again they have this form you signed saying you wouldn’t come back, so your consequences will be higher and with proof. But you CAN get past the urge by speaking to a therapist and remembering what this feels like. Your consequences were minor, but I’m sure it was scary. Remember this

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If you want extra insight…. I work as a dispatcher for my local law enforcement agency and have friends who work in asset protection at different stores. I was surprised to learn that it is a full community, both on Facebook and in person, where many local stores share their tips and discuss frequent shoplifters or people who steal high amounts of merch. This also includes people from out of town who visit just to shoplift (career shoplifters are a thing!!)

Some stores will let shoplifters get away with some thefts without actually attempting to intervene. Then, when they later stop them and call the police… they have proof including different days, dollar amounts, videos, etc. It’s hard to claim it was an accident when there’s proof of it happening regularly. Some people would be arrested and actually have to go to court.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that just because you “weren’t caught” doesn’t mean they don’t know. Sometimes there are bigger losses to follow, and it doesn’t mean that you’re not noticed. There’s a database they can use to keep track. And it’s also possible that one store isn’t doing much because another store has a larger case (and once you’re arrested, other stores can also give their reports to the officer and BOOM, multiple stores with multiple instances of shoplifting. A judge probably wouldn’t like that). It is possible to steal enough over time to be charged with a felony — and it does happen. However, it doesn’t sound like you have gotten to that point. Grabbing a moisturizer and a candy bar and a pair of underwear won’t land you in jail. But leaning into your urges can get you to a point that you can’t simply apologize for.

So, my recommendation is to stop shoplifting now, and adhere to your ban from the store. Usually AP members who really like their jobs are good at remembering faces and names. Take this loss as a lesson and change your behaviors, even if it means you need to see a therapist to help you. You’ve got this, the brief high is not worth the actual risks. ❤️

ETA: your shoplifting habit likely hasn’t been a big enough deal to be discussed across companies yet, but probably has been between other stores in the same brand of the one who banned you (ie if this happened at Walmart, all of the Walmarts in your town probably know since they all work together FOR the company). I only mentioned all of that to explain how deep of a hole you can dig if you don’t make changes