Hardship Exposes Billing Scams as Shoppers Clash with Supermarket Attendants

Economic hardship has sharpened shoppers’ awareness of spending, leading to rising confrontations with supermarket attendants accused of inflating bills.

In the past, receipts—often printed in tiny, faint letters—rarely got a second look. But with money tighter than ever, shoppers are now scrutinising every figure, uncovering what many describe as deliberate billing scams in large malls and supermarkets.

Investigations by Economy & Lifestyle revealed that while fewer Nigerians can still afford to shop in major outlets, those who do are increasingly vigilant. Many say attendants exploit inattention by padding receipts and charging for unpurchased items.

Shoppers share experiences
Mrs. Ranti Adebumi, a banker, recounted her ordeal:

“I visited a supermarket. After paying, I checked the receipt and felt uncomfortable with the cost. At the entrance, I asked the security guard to count my items. While I bought three, the cashier had entered five. She casually told me to pick two more items instead of apologising. At home, I discovered she had also added items I never bought. That was when I knew it was extortion, not a mistake.”

She said she now carefully cross-checks every purchase and receipt before leaving a mall.

Similarly, Mr. Victor Edemode, a lecturer, narrated:

“At a mall in Benin, they calculated ₦200,000 for what I bought. I paid, but the next day, while sorting the items, I realised everything had been doubled on the receipt. I went back and collected my balance of almost ₦40,000. Ironically, I even tipped the cashier the day before. A friend later told me the scam has existed for long, only that the bad economy is now exposing it.”

Insider explains how it works
Mrs. Shalewa Obadara, who once worked as a supermarket attendant, explained that the fraud is often coordinated.

“It is an arrangement between attendants and managers. It’s not new. Victims are usually those who feel too big or shy to check receipts. But the current economic hardship is making people more alert.

When you scan a product, the system automatically records it as one. Editing it to two or three is deliberate, not a mistake. Stock notifications are later adjusted to cover the excess. The same trick is used by fuel attendants at petrol stations.”

With inflation biting harder, shoppers say vigilance has become the only defense against such schemes, which they warn are now widespread across the country.