A recent LendingTree survey found that 27 percent of Americans who use self-checkout have intentionally taken an item without scanning it, up from 15 percent in 2023.

Millennials (41 percent) and Gen Z adults (37 percent) were the most likely to admit to this, while Baby Boomers were least likely at 2 percent.

Men (38 percent) were more than twice as likely as women (16 percent) to steal, often citing financial pressures, higher prices, or a sense that prices are unfair.

About a third of those who stole expressed no remorse, with many viewing it as compensation for “unpaid work,” The Hill has reported.

Surprisingly, higher-income households ($100,000+) were more likely (40 percent) to take items than lower-income households (17 percent).