Organized retail theft rings now poisoning gift cards to steal money

Gift card fraud has emerged as a key tactic for organized retail crime, allowing thieves to fund illegal activities like child trafficking and warfare. Washington state has seen retail theft rise by 93% from 2019 to 2023, costing cities substantial tax revenue and harming community welfare. Mark Johnson of the Washington Retail Association emphasizes the need for community awareness and action against these crimes. The recently approved House Bill 2015 permits cities to impose a 0. 1% sales tax to support public safety initiatives.

This legislation also creates a $100 million grant fund to bolster law enforcement capabilities. An organized retail crime unit formed by the state Attorney General's office aims to tackle repeat offenders and enhance theft reporting. Johnson notes that 80% of theft is committed by just 20% of thieves, highlighting the need for targeted intervention. Online sales of stolen goods further complicate the problem, necessitating more robust measures to combat this rising trend.