Man is at a Walmart self-checkout. Then an employee leans over, starts recounting his items, and alleges missing items: ‘I’m stealing something?’

A man recording at a Walmart self-checkout said an employee leaned over his shopping cart and began recounting the items while alleging some were missing. The creator, who posts on TikTok as @its.ton.fool, shared the video that has gained over a hundred thousand views.

In the caption, he wrote that he was ringing up his items when the employee started going through his cart randomly and saying he was stealing before he got to finish. He claimed the manager gave a disgusting attitude and that he had wanted to press charges, but police told him they could not do anything and that he would have to call customer service.

The video shows an employee in a blue vest using a handheld scanner on groceries that included Welch’s juice and Prime hydration packs. The customer is heard questioning the interruption and saying, “I’m stealing something?”

Walmart describes checkout choices and employee help options

Walmart’s website states that customers do not have to use self-checkout. The company said it has rolled out Hosted Checkouts in several stores, where associates in a Customer Host role can show customers to available registers, help them through the process, and answer questions.

The company explained that this process is designed to help customers complete their shopping even faster. It added that if someone prefers checking out with a cashier, that option remains available, and that Walmart+ members can use the mobile Scan & Go feature. Frustration with the process isn’t new, as one shopper called Walmart self-checkout an unpaid internship after a long cat food ordeal.

In the video, the customer repeatedly said he had not finished ringing up his items or paid yet. He is heard telling the employee, “I didn’t even get to ring it up. Why are you checking through it?” and “If I ain’t get to ring it up, why you checking through it?”

The employee continued counting items on the screen and in the cart. The customer then addressed a manager whose name tag read “GIO” and said, “Sir, I didn’t even pay for my stuff yet, and I ringed it up all equally. He’s saying something’s missing and there ain’t nothing missing.”

The manager is heard asking if everything was okay and then insisting, “Yes, it is,” while the customer replied, “No.” The customer later said, “Since I’m stealing, get an officer in here now,” and asked, “Can I check out peacefully?” The employee, based on the video, explained that the machine was asking him to make a double check. The customer questioned why the employee was coming up to him and touching the screen.

According to FindLaw, several states permit store security guards or loss-prevention employees to detain suspected shoplifters when they have probable cause, but any detention must be reasonable in length and manner.

The article explained that detentions without probable cause or that are unreasonable in time or manner may leave the store open to claims of false imprisonment, assault, or battery. It also noted that the rules vary by state and that stores typically hold someone only long enough to turn them over to police.

Some viewers responded to the video by commenting on store practices. One commenter wrote, “yk if walmart falsely accuse you of shoplifting you can press charges on them.” Another stated, “him stopping you mid ring…. no way! this has got to stop.” Similar accusations have surfaced at other retailers, including a woman’s Aldi receipt scanning dispute.

A different commenter said, “Yall too nice. I would have left everything right there.” One person who said they work at Walmart wrote, “I work at Walmart, they’re not even supposed to be doing that. Write an email to corporate!!!!”