Retail business owners beware; eftpos theft is in our midst and for a Central Otago retailer, it meant selling five items for just six cents.

The shop owner, who declined to be named, was this week ripped off by a couple of offenders who distracted the shop assistant when the transaction for $619 was about to go through.

A staff member had tendered the right amount and when not looking, the offender, in a matter of seconds, cleared that amount and re-entered a different one.

“Another person was ripping tags off the clothing to distract them,” the store manager said.

The store just recently upgraded its eftpos terminal to a one-piece wireless model, but has since changed it back to the older two-piece model and improved procedures and security in store as well.

“It’s not the machine but the speed with how it was very swiftly manipulated,” the store owner said.

“Handing over the machine leaves you vulnerable. It’s so important to immediately check the receipt. It’s an expensive wakeup call for us,” he said.

Cromwell Police public safety team supervisor Regan Price confirmed they had received a complaint of theft from the shop owners.

The file has been assigned to a constable for investigation, “and with that investigation underway, I don’t have any further information in relation to the suspect at this time,” he said.

Police were assessing CCTV footage from the Cromwell Mall, and the bank was also helping with the investigation, in identifying the people involved.

The offender once identified, would then be charged with theft by deception, and the store owner is hopeful they will be apprehended.

“It is our policy to make the police aware of every type of criminal offence no matter how minor.

“This is no minor offence but even if it was, we’d still notify the police. To me there are no exceptions for petty crime.”