Tobacco scam catches dozens of retailers, warns CSNA
Conmen and con-women have pitted their wits against unsuspecting staff (and owners) from the dawn of time
Print25 April 2025
A tobacco scam has caught out dozens of retailers, the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association (CSNA) has warned.
As the largest independent body of convenience store retailers and newsagents in Ireland the group highlighted that the most recent con is a resurrection of a ‘switch’ scam and, although there are variations, always involves a conman obtaining a valuable item without having to pay for it.
Recent iteration
The most recent iteration involves a pack of tissues or toilet paper carefully placed into an empty cigarette or tobacco pouch, depending on how blatant or convincing the perpetrator is, managing to get a free pack in exchange, it added.
They may convince a staff member that a pack they had recently purchased (they have a receipt for diesel and cigarettes) was filled with tissues when they opened it and demand a new pack.
They may ask for a pack and switch it when the cashier completes the sale of a lottery product, then suggests they don’t need the cigarettes and only pay for the other product.
They may seek a different brand, claiming this pack was bought by their friend but it’s not their preferred choice.
CSNA advise for retailers
“We are bringing this to your attention and ask you to forward it to your retail colleagues to alert them that these people are stealing from lots of stores throughout the country,” a CSNA spokesperson said.
You must have a policy regarding returns
You must have a policy regarding placing products on the counter prior to payment being received and
You must have a policy regarding “swaps”.
Read more: Retailers need to take note of pricing of goods rules: CSNA
ShelfLife reporter
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