Cashier rip-offs hit Westmoreland

Karrie Williams, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:Shoppers in Westmoreland have expressed fear about making purchases at certain supermarkets and wholesales in the parish because of cashiers allegedly fleecing them at the checkout counter.

They named Negril, Savanna-la-Mar, and Whitehouse as the towns where the unscrupulous practice is most prevalent.

One female resident of Petersfield told Western Focus that cashiers had come up with ways of slyly pocketing customers' money.

"Usually, what I find happening is that some cashiers will charge you for more goods than you are actually purchasing," she said.

"Recently, my sister bought bulk rice, flour, and sugar in the amount of five pounds each. When she got home, she was disposing of her bill in the trash when, just on a whim, she decided to take a closer look at it. Lo and behold, she realised that the cashier had billed her for 10 pounds for each of the items purchased, even though the packages were clearly marked five pounds."

Another shopper from the community of Old Hope told Western Focus that consumers were being targeted based on their appearance.

"My advice to shoppers is to always check their bills against the items bought prior to leaving the supermarket or wholesale. I had a recent experience where I purchased only a few essential items and was told by the cashier that my bill was over $5,000," she said.

"When I questioned how a few items could amount to so much and demanded to speak to a manager, he politely smiled at me and apologised, claiming he had made a mistake and then told me that my actual bill was just below $3,000.

"I believe I was targeted because of how I was dressed. I was just returning from a job interview, so I was wearing a smart business suit. I also had my car keys in my hand," she added.

Other persons have reported that goods purchased mysteriously have gone missing from their shopping bags, but after returning to the grocer, the cashier always seems oblivious to their queries.

Checks with Inspector Paul Bernard of the Savanna-la-Mar Criminal Investigation Bureau revealed that since the start of the year, only three cases have been reported, two of which are currently being prosecuted in the courts. The inspector said the reason for this low number of reported cases is probably linked to the fact that when cashiers are caught in the act by their employers, the business owners are turned off by the tedious process of getting justice.

"Therefore, while they will come in to speak to officers, when told of the timeline involved for prosecution and restitution, many opt to leave the station without filing an official report," he said.