Self-checkout kiosks may be convenient, but they also provide more opportunities for shoplifting. More than one in four shoppers who have used self-checkouts admit to giving themselves a five-finger discount, according to a new survey from LendingTree. The online loan marketplace surveyed over 2,050 U.S. adults and found 27% of respondents admitted to purposefully taking an item without scanning, up from 15% in 2023. Millennials (41%) and Gen Zers (37%) were more likely to acknowledge stealing at self-checkouts, while only 2% of Baby Boomers said they’ve done it. In addition, men were twice as likely as women to take something without scanning. Surprisingly, those in households making over $100,000 a year (40%) were more than twice as likely to steal as those making under $49,999 (17%). However, when asked what motivated them to steal, nearly half of those surveyed cited necessity and not greed. Among the top reasons, 47% of respondents said essentials are unaffordable and 48% pointed to price increases due to tariffs. Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief credit analyst, said the survey indicates many people across the country are struggling and looking for ways to make their lives a little more affordable.  “Largely unattended self-checkouts provide a potential opportunity for folks to help themselves,” Schulz said. “Even though people know that stealing is wrong and most understand the risk they’re taking, tough times require tough choices, and lots of people are clearly willing to take a risk.” ...read more read less