I keep setting off the security alarm every time I walk into a shop!!!!

bigpinkelephant

It's really annoying!
I have nothing in my handbag with a security tag on it.
All I have is my iPod, keys, mobile, makeup etc. This has only started happening in the past week!
I did have my sat nav in my handbag and thought that might be it but I took it out and the problem remains.
Is there any normal everyday things that can set off those alarms?
It's really embarrassing when I'm leaving the shop too...

MizzLolly

Haha you poor thing. I've no idea why that happens. Geez, the thread title made me laugh!!

Silverfish

Do any of your makeup items have that barcoded sticky tag on them?

Ones that look like these?

bigpinkelephant

It's not good!!! I usually enjoy doing my Xmas shopping but it's impossible when I hear NEEEE NAAAAWWWW NEEEEE NAAAAAWWW every 5 minutes and EVERYONE turns around and looks at me...

bigpinkelephant

Silverfish wrote: »

Do any of your makeup items have that barcoded sticky tag on them?

Ones that look like these?

One does, but it didn't set off the alarm in Boots, on my way out after buying it.
I have had it in my handbag for weeks although recently I've started putting it in the pocket in the lining of the bag, rather than buried inside it... maybe that's it?

MizzLolly

Actually, check what Siverfish said. That makes a lotta sense. It could even be one of those tags on your handbag or something?

Caoimhín

If it always happened when you were on the way out i would assume you are from the travelling community.

bigpinkelephant

Caoimhín wrote: »

If it always happened when you were on the way out i would assume you are from the travelling community.

No, it happens on the way in also... talk about making an entrance.

Silverfish

bigpinkelephant wrote: »

One does, but it didn't set off the alarm in Boots, on my way out after buying it.
I have had it in my handbag for weeks although recently I've started putting it in the pocket in the lining of the bag, rather than buried inside it... maybe that's it?

Yes, as for example, today I bought items in HMV, they did not set off the alarm in HMV..... but did in other shops.

Actually, same thing happened me in M&S last year, bought about 20 DVDs in HMV, they set off the alarm walking out of M&S and I was made stand there and peel the sticky tag off every single one. Not happy.

Caoimhín

bigpinkelephant wrote: »

No, it happens on the way in also... talk about making an entrance.

Are you SURE your not a traveler?

MizzLolly

Silverfish wrote: »

Yes, as for example, today I bought items in HMV, they did not set off the alarm in HMV..... but did in other shops.

Actually, same thing happened me in M&S last year, bought about 20 DVDs in HMV, they set off the alarm walking out of M&S and I was made stand there and peel the sticky tag off every single one. Not happy.

Awh that's horrible. Actually, myself and my ex boyfriend were in Golden Discs once and as we were leaving the alarms went off. Turned out a CD he'd bought earlier on in Tower Records was the culprit.




... didn't help that he'd accidentally knocked over a whole stall full of CD's though...

Saibh

happened to me one day in blanchardstown shopping centre - eventually found out it was cleanser i had bought - it could be your makeup

Terry

Caoimhín wrote: »

If it always happened when you were on the way out i would assume you are from the travelling community.

Caoimhín wrote: »

Are you SURE your not a traveler?

First one I was going to delete and leave it be, but the second one gets you banned.

amcalester

try entering the shop during opening hours through the front door.

Mark200

The alarms are pretty useless aren't they? How many times did you set the alarms off? And were you even stopped once?

Terry wrote: »

First one I was going to delete and leave it be, but the second one gets you banned.

Weird..

bigpinkelephant

Mark200 wrote: »

How many times did you set the alarms off? And were you even stopped once?

I was only stopped once but there were other people entering the shop at the same time and they were stopped too. Security guard was friendly, just said "Who is it". I said "I think it's my bag" and waved it between the alarm things and they went off. I said "would it be my phone" and he said sometimes ladies' handbags just set the alarms off. On my way out the alarm went off again but he just said "it's grand go on".

Cuddlesworth

Mark200 wrote: »

The alarms are pretty useless aren't they? How many times did you set the alarms off? And were you even stopped once?

Its the staff who didn't deactivate the tags properly thats the problem.

Mark200 wrote: »

Weird..

As a outstanding member of the travelling community Terry hates racists who try to spread rumors and continue sterotypes. He hates Tinkers though.

Biggins

Has stated happening to me a number of times. Its weird.
I've also noticed that I have become very sensitive to static.
Maybe its something to do with that, I sure don't know...

PurpleBerry

Bah, ipods...

Pay extra for poor design, non-existant capabilities and limited storage.

Nah.
Pass.

qwertplaywert

I hate it when security alarms have trouble understanding my shoplifting habit.

bluemachaveli

Used to happen to me the whole time. Was driving a motorbike at the time. Figured after a bit it had to be the helmet! Found a security tag tucked right in under the back collar!

Problem solved!

Nodin

bigpinkelephant wrote: »

It's really annoying!
I have nothing in my handbag with a security tag on it.
All I have is my iPod, keys, mobile, makeup etc. This has only started happening in the past week!
I did have my sat nav in my handbag and thought that might be it but I took it out and the problem remains.
Is there any normal everyday things that can set off those alarms?
It's really embarrassing when I'm leaving the shop too...

Could be that you're good lookin and the security lads just want an excuse for a close goo....

robinph

bigpinkelephant wrote: »

One does, <some irrelevant chatter about nothing in particular>

Well why on earth have you not removed that tag from said item then as it's clearly that which is causing the problem? Just because it doesn't set of the alarms in one shop means nothing as there are multiple different types of tags and sensors.

citytillidie

Happened to me once i dont know how it happened as all i was carrying was an ipod and keys

bigpinkelephant

robinph wrote: »

Well why on earth have you not removed that tag from said item then as it's clearly that which is causing the problem? Just because it doesn't set of the alarms in one shop means nothing as there are multiple different types of tags and sensors.

Frankie says relax. Love the way you quoted me- if you don't like the thread then don't read it.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

bigpinkelephant wrote: »

It's really annoying!
I have nothing in my handbag with a security tag on it.
All I have is my iPod, keys, mobile, makeup etc. This has only started happening in the past week!
I did have my sat nav in my handbag and thought that might be it but I took it out and the problem remains.
Is there any normal everyday things that can set off those alarms?
It's really embarrassing when I'm leaving the shop too...

Sorry to say, but I think you have been abducted by aliens, they planted a tracking device in your skull, that is setting off the alarms. Having any bad headaches lately?

Sharpshooter

Happened to me in Artane Castle Shopping Center , I bought two Wrestling dvds and as I was walking towards Penney's the security alarm went off.
This security guard came over and searched my bag to see what was causing it, and it was the dvd's.
What annoyed me was he took the plastic wrapper
off to remove the tag even though l told him they were
a present for someone.:mad:
A staff member of Tesco's saw what was happening and
took the dvd's off him and walked me back to the security system , while l walked through she passed them back to me .
Seem's it happens all the time with dvds bought from that shop , it would have been nice to be made aware of it.

bigpinkelephant

sharpshooterH wrote: »

This security guard came over and searched my bag to see what was causing it

Are they allowed to do that? As far as I know they have to tread on a very thin line- they can get in trouble for false arrests?

Sharpshooter

bigpinkelephant wrote: »

Are they allowed to do that? As far as I know they have to tread on a very thin line- they can get in trouble for false arrests?

l am sure they can , but l didn't say l was arrested.

He asked me could he have a look and l said yes.:)
Sorry if the post wasn't clear.:o

cuaifeadh

Used to happen to me a lot too, I found out it was my graphics tablet. Can't bring it anywhere anymore

javaboy

Me and Mrs. javaboy both had Nokia 3200s a while back. They used to regularly set off the sensors in Tesco.

When the Blanchardstown S.C. was first opened, a tag from HMV would set off the Eason sensors and vice versa.

Alicat

I beeped one time going through security in Florida airport. Turned out it was the wire in my bra! :eek:

robinph

bigpinkelephant wrote: »

Frankie says relax. Love the way you quoted me- if you don't like the thread then don't read it.

You have a problem and asked the good folk of AH to help you solve it*, you even told us that your carrying around items with anti theft tags on them**. However, you seem to be under the impression that these tags do not set off the alarms on the entrances to shops*** so are continuing to carry around these items with the tags on and still wondering what could possibly be setting off the alarms.

* First mistake.
** Second mistake.
*** You must get the idea by now?

bigpinkelephant

robinph wrote: »

You have a problem and asked the good folk of AH to help you solve it*, you even told us that your carrying around items with anti theft tags on them**. However, you seem to be under the impression that these tags do not set off the alarms on the entrances to shops*** so are continuing to carry around these items with the tags on and still wondering what could possibly be setting off the alarms.

* First mistake.
** Second mistake.
*** You must get the idea by now?

Well if you actually read the thread, you would see that I did not realise the makeup had a security tag on it until someone asked me about it.

Good boy.

Aisling(",)

Alicat wrote: »

I beeped one time going through security in Florida airport. Turned out it was the wire in my bra! :eek:

snap except in heathrow.

where my shin beeped aswell.happened in germany and dublin aswell

hilltop

Alicat wrote: »

I beeped one time going through security in Florida airport. Turned out it was the wire in my bra! :eek:

Has happened me in Shannon first last year,since then Heathrow, Chicago and Cape Town. I think they've coped onto it a bit though cause my aunt said jokingly in Shannon I bet its your bra. I laughed but A very nice lady in security said bras sometimes set the machines off.:rolleyes:

dingding

Some cloths particularly if purchased in Americia have a tag sewen into the seam of the garment about 1 1/2 inches square.

It will say on the tag remove before wearing. These sometimes set off alarms, even after been washed.

Check your cloths for tags. I have seen them in shirts and trousers.

Gauge

This happened to me for ages. It was a tiny tag tucked away inside my camera case.

okidoki987

Swipe cards also set them off.

bigpinkelephant

On the subject of airports, apparently Christina Aguilera had a little trouble once due to a piercing in her southern regions... imagine explaining that to security!

Kold

Neesa wrote: »

Bah, ipods...

Pay extra for poor design, non-existant capabilities and limited storage.

Nah.
Pass.

the first iPod classic (80 & 160g) is the perfect mp3 player.

Aisling(",)

Aisling(",) wrote: »

snap except in heathrow.

snap again, in germany
that and the chewing gum in my pocket set off the hand scanner...

ART6

Again off topic, but airport scanners--for some reason if I have my specs in my pocket they set off the scanner, but if I wear them they don't. Trouble it, they're reading glasses--my long range vision is OK, so when I wear them I can't see the b****y scanner until I bump into it:D

On shop scanners, when I buy anything from our local B&Q store it nearly always sets off a scanner alarm, and no-one takes a blind bit of notice.

Red Alert

A good few shops have tag scanners to check items and bags for tags before they give them out... a friendly shop assistant might be able to help you.

r3nu4l

bigpinkelephant wrote: »

Are they allowed to do that? As far as I know they have to tread on a very thin line- they can get in trouble for false arrests?

Yes, security can search your bag. What they can't do is accuse you of stealing anything until they have evidence.

bigpinkelephant wrote: »

On the subject of airports, apparently Christina Aguilera had a little trouble once due to a piercing in her southern regions... imagine explaining that to security!

Well if you're the type of person to get a genital piercing then I doubt you'd be very shy about explaining the cause of the beeping.


Books borrowed from the central library in Cambridge regularly set off the alarms in a number of stores in Cambridge. It got to the point where I made sure the library was the last stop on my visit to the city centre.

raindog.promo

I was told by someone who teaches law (and they may be wrong) that if you set off a door alarm on a shop and keep walking security are not allowed to stop you or chase you. Maybe that's store policy and not from a law point of view, because apparently, if they do stop you and you've done nothing wrong, you have every right to sue the store for defamation of character.
It was also said that in some stores security staff have been fired for stopping / chasing people.

It might be total arse, but maybe not.

nobodythere

I had an electromagnetic friend once, used to set it off everywhere. Pain in the arse but he got to know every tough-as-nails security guy in town, not a disadvantage