Short Change Scams
Get the scoop on tricks that happen at the POS.
What Is a Quick Change Scam?
Dishonest customers often try to game the system and short you at the register. A quick change scam is when a customer pays for a small item with a large bill ($50, $100) so they get more change back. It works because while the cashier is counting the change, the scam artist “discovers” they can pay with a smaller bill after all. Confused, the cashier not only makes the change for the larger bill, but also hands it back to the customer!
Things to look out for:
- Scammers often target rookie cashiers.
- A customer might try to dictate how much change is due.
- Some scam artists work in pairs.