Everyday items shocking number of Aussies are stealing

One in five Aussies are taking the rising cost of living into their own hands by stealing these everyday items.

As the cost of living crisis deepens, thieves aren’t looking for luxury items — in fact new research suggests they’re just everyday people looking for everyday items.

A new nationally representative survey from Finder revealed almost one in five Australians – equivalent to 3.8 million people – have stolen staple items in the past 12 months.

Stream more finance news live & on demand with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022 >

’[There’s] a growing subset of Australians who are stealing consumables to survive.’ Picture: iStock

“A lot of people are doing it tough as the cost of essentials like petrol, rent and energy have risen sharply,” explained Richard Whitten, money expert at Finder.

“The result is a growing subset of Australians who are stealing consumables to survive.

And what do these staples include? With most people spending an average of $526.86 a month on groceries – and with certain items spiking in price considerably in the past 12 months — it might be no surprise that food is top of the list.

The most common form of stealing among everyday Aussies is putting an item through the self checkout at a grocery store as a cheaper item. In fact, a full two million people have done that in the past year.

Another 9 per cent of Aussies have straight up stolen items while going through the self-checkout lines.

The majority of stealing occurs at the self checkout. Picture: iStock

“Of course, most self-checkout machines can’t tell brown onions from portobello mushrooms, and I suspect a lot of Australians don’t regard scanning items incorrectly on purpose to be the same level of theft as running out of a shop with a loaf of bread,” said Mr Whitten.

Running away from a petrol bowser without paying is third on the list of most commonly stolen everyday items, with a small few Aussies deciding to run away from a cafe without paying the bill.

6 per cent of Aussies have driven away from the bowser without paying. Picture: iStock

If you haven’t been one of the millions of Aussies turning to stealing, you’ve probably been tempted. But Mr Whitten says the best way to (legally) get a better deal on your everyday costs is to “shop around for the best deal”.

“Loyalty doesn’t pay. Simple switches could save you hundreds of dollars a year.”