Target is quietly making big changes to store policies after years of customers abusing them

Target has made a big change to one of its most well-known policies after years of customers abusing it.

The return policy is legendary, but the gravy train is coming to an end after years of retailers reporting people returning used or stolen goods.

In recent weeks, the retail giant has quietly updated the policy on its website to inform customers that it is no longer being exploited.

“Target reserves the right to refuse returns, refunds and exchanges, including but not limited to the prevention of fraud, suspected fraud or abuse,” reads the new line added to the returns policy above.

Years of customer abuse of the policy – ​​returning stolen or several-year-old items – is why.

A Target spokesperson confirmed to The Street that the language had been adjusted.

However, they added that the policy itself, which calls for the return of most unopened items in “new condition” within 90 days, has not changed.

“Target wants to make it clear to customers who abuse its very generous return policy that their days are numbered.”

“Fraud or deception will not be tolerated. Employees are now on the lookout for fraud,” a source told DailyMail.com.

Last year. According to a recent report from the National Retail Federation, U.S. retailers have lost $101 billion due to returns abuse.

According to the report, half of retailers said they had experienced shoppers returning “used, non-defective” products.

Additionally, 44 percent said shoppers had even attempted to return “stolen or stolen” merchandise.

And 37 percent said they had seen attempts to return products purchased using “fraudulent or stolen” payment methods.

Target became an increasing victim of theft and closed nine stores in four different states due to “theft and organized retail crime.”

Target employees have long complained that customers are abusing the company's generous returns policy.

“There were so many people coming in with fake returns, it was ridiculous,” one former employee recalled on Reddit.

“A man brought back a USED ink cartridge that he said was too large for his printer. It was obviously used up and I shook it and told him it was empty.”

Another employee recalled a customer who stole items and then tried to return them.

“I saw someone try to use their prisoner ID card for repatriation.” Would you believe that they had just taken the items off the shelf before approaching me? You wrote in the thread.

“It's pretty common in my store for people to try to return a bunch of old razors, facial cleansers and personal care products at the same time,” a third added.

Other retail giants like Costco have generous return policies, even allowing their customers to return half-eaten groceries.

But even these policies have limits, and items like cigarettes, alcohol and batteries are not included.

Target will no longer accept personal checks starting July 15th

Today, checks are rarely used by Americans. Target said low usage is the reason they are banning their use in stores

It's not the only change Target has made this year. Shoppers can no longer pay with checks, the store said in May.

The payment method has lost popularity in recent years – but it is still popular with some seniors.

Cards have become the dominant means of payment – be it physical or in conjunction with digital wallets on smartphones – but customers who don't want to use cards are choosing cash.

The Minnesota-based retailer — the seventh-largest in the U.S. — announced it “will no longer accept personal checks beginning July 15,” citing “extremely low volumes.”

Fewer and fewer retailers are accepting personal checks. Aldi and Whole Foods have banned them completely, as has Target. Others only accept them at some checkouts.

“When it comes to payments, checks are something of a relic,” retail expert Neil Saunders of Global Data told DailyMail.com.