In this episode of Retail's Most Wanted, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes sheds light on the growing issue of organized retail crime and her team's efforts to combat it. With a background in law and public service, Attorney General Mayes brings valuable experience to addressing the complex challenges of retail theft and consumer protection in Arizona.

The Organized Retail Theft Task Force

Mayes discusses the Organized Retail Theft Task Force operating out of her office, emphasizing its importance in tackling a problem that extends beyond state borders. The task force collaborates with law enforcement agencies, community members, and businesses both within Arizona and across other states. This multi-state approach is crucial, as organized retail crime often involves operations that span multiple jurisdictions.

Recent successes: Gift card cloning and baby formula theft

Two significant cases highlighted by Mayes demonstrate task force effectiveness. A sophisticated gift card cloning scheme was uncovered where criminals stole gift cards from stores, cloned them, and returned the cloned cards to shelves. When unsuspecting customers purchased and activated these cards, the funds were immediately drained. A baby formula theft ring was also dismantled during a time of nationwide shortages after being caught stealing baby formula from various retailers in Arizona and reselling it in other states.

The broader impact of ORC

Attorney General Mayes emphasizes that organized retail crime affects more than just businesses. It impacts the entire economy, drives up prices for consumers, and poses safety risks to retail workers who may encounter these criminals. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies across states are crucial in addressing this widespread issue.

By raising awareness and fostering collaboration between law enforcement, businesses, and the public, Attorney General Mayes and her office are taking significant steps to combat organized retail crime and protect Arizona's consumers and businesses.

Retail's Most Wanted is presented by LVT and the Attorney General Alliance.

In the ongoing battle against organized retail crime (ORC), retailers and policymakers are continuously exploring innovative ways to curb criminal activity and protect businesses. One such initiative is the INFORM Act, a significant piece of legislation aimed at making it harder for criminals to profit from stolen goods through online marketplaces. In this episode of Retail's Most Wanted, legal expert Paul Singer discusses the role of the INFORM Act and how it is shaping the fight against ORC.

What is the INFORM Act?

At its core, the INFORM Act is a transparency law targeting high-volume sellers on online platforms. Its primary focus is ensuring that platforms collect and verify key information—such as contact details and bank account information—from sellers who meet certain thresholds. These thresholds include having over 200 transactions totaling $5,000 or more within a year. The law applies to major online marketplaces where the sale is transacted directly through the platform, such as eBay and Amazon.

Challenges and gaps in the INFORM Act

However, as with many laws, criminals have found ways to adapt. Some have shifted to smaller, high-margin items that are easier to move and harder to track. Others have tried to evade the law by setting up multiple accounts that don’t reach the reporting thresholds, or by taking transactions offline entirely.

Additionally, the law doesn’t directly target the criminals perpetrating the thefts—it places the burden on online marketplaces to collect information and identify problematic sellers. As Singer points out, this has caused some frustration among law enforcement, as the act doesn’t necessarily result in catching the criminals, but rather provides more data to help track them.

The role of state attorneys general and future improvements

State attorneys general play a crucial role in enforcing the INFORM Act alongside the Federal Trade Commission. Many states have implemented their own versions of the law, with some even expanding the provisions to close loopholes. For example, Georgia recently passed amendments to address the offline transaction loophole.

Looking ahead, Singer believes that further legislative measures could strengthen the act’s impact. States like California are considering amendments to require online marketplaces to take a more proactive role in identifying and reporting suspicious sellers, which could enhance enforcement efforts.

Retail's Most Wanted is presented by LVT and the Attorney General Alliance.

On the latest episode of Retail's Most Wanted, Mike Shore of Axon discusses the intersection of technology and security in combating organized retail crime. For security leaders and retailers looking to stay ahead of the curve, the message is clear: embrace technology, foster collaboration, and commit to creating safer, more transparent environments.

Why it matters

Originally known for its development of tasers, Axon soon recognized the need for body-worn cameras to increase transparency and accountability in public safety. As Shore put it, "People behave better on camera—on both sides." This pivot led to the creation of evidence.com, a cloud-based system that manages and stores digital evidence for law enforcement—a revolutionary tool that is now a staple in police departments around the globe.

Axon’s success in public safety prompted them to explore how their technology could address challenges in the private sector with a focus on sectors like retail, healthcare, logistics, and critical infrastructure—industries increasingly impacted by violence and organized crime.

Go Deeper

Shore and his team at Axon have ambitious goals. One of the company’s moonshots is to reduce deaths between public safety personnel and the public by 50% over the next ten years. This goal is not just limited to law enforcement interactions, but also extends to violent incidents in workplaces like retail and healthcare settings. The company is committed to providing technology that not only helps prevent crime but also enables retailers and law enforcement to work together more effectively when incidents do occur.

Retail's Most Wanted is presented by LVT and the Attorney General Alliance.