How To Remove Security Tag

Can you remove a clothing security tag at home?

Lay your clothing item down with the tag facing up. Slip the rubber band or the handle of the plastic bag around and under the tag. The thicker the band, the better, as long as it still fits. Keep wrapping it around the tag until it pops open.

How do you remove a security tag at home without a magnet?

Two Forks Method Another popular method of prying security tags apart uses something everyone has around their home — forks. Like the rubber band method, you can wedge a fork all the way in between the fabric and clothing security tag. Then take a second fork and wedge in the opposite direction so they’re back to back.

What happens if security tag is still on clothes?

What Happens if I Remove a Security Tag From Merchandise? You’ve just bought a new jacket. You get home, excited to show your friends and family your recent purchase. As you turn around, someone points out that the security tag is still on the garment.

• If you actually bought the item, and you remove the tag (though this can be difficult without the right tools), you might get ink on your clothes or the device might emit a shrieking noise, but you wouldn’t face any legal sanctions.
• However, if you did not actually purchase the jacket, or you are still at the store and take off the security tag, you’re committing an offense.

In Iowa, this type of conduct is referred to as the removal of a theft detection device.

Can a fridge magnet remove a security tag?

While they can be mutilated off with a pair of snips, a screwdriver and a pair of pliers, they can be removed much easier with a high powered magnet. I used a hard drive magnet and a light touch.

Do all security tags have magnets?

Key security tag features to consider – While security tags are simple to use and swift to detach, there are several features to consider when selecting the correct tag for your store. Security tags traditionally use one of two different types of locking systems: magnetic or mechanical. Security tags are available in a variety of shapes ranging from pencil tags to round tags and square. This shape can have a bearing on how hard a tag is to remove illegally. Round tags are often recommended as it makes it harder for a shoplifter to purchase the tag and price it apart. When it comes to pinheads, they are available in different sizes, and yes, that size matters. A pinhead that directly corresponds with the size of the tag is harder to remove, while larger pinheads act as a form of benefit denial. In this case, the shoplifter is likely to damage the item should they try to force the pinhead through the garment. On the topic of benefit denial, some security tags are also available with additional features like ink-dye, These tiny ampules of ink rupture when a tag is tampered with, staining the garment. A great example of a state-of-the-art security tag with highly secure features is the FoxTag, This tag includes:

A rounded shape that makes it harder to force open.

A pinhead and tag that correspond in, size also makes it harder to force open.

Ink dye to reduce the likelihood of tampering.

Anti-tamper spikes to also reduce the possibility of tampering.

A patented locking mechanism and power-operated auto-mechanical detacher, which cannot be purchased online.

You can learn more about selecting the correct security tags for your store here or browse our range of security tags, Have no product in the cart!

Do all security tags go off?

No. Only the tag on the item going out the door.

Are security tags full of ink?

Why Do Security Tags Have Ink In Them? If you’ve ever picked up a piece of clothing at a retail store and noticed a security tag filled with ink, you may have wondered the purpose of it –– for those who aren’t in the retail security industry, it can feel like a drastic measure.

But there’s an important reason security tags are filled with ink –– it can be a helpful measure for retailers and deter potential shoplifters. If an item with an ink tag is purchased at a store, the cashier will remove it with a special device called a detacher after the customer pays. But if a shoplifter tries to sneak out of a store with an item that still has an ink tag attached, they won’t be able to remove it without destroying the garment.

Ink tags pose no risk or inconvenience to well-intentioned buyers but are a deterrence for anyone who may try to steal from a retailer. If the ink tag is broken without the proper tag remover, ink will leak on the item, which will ruin it and make it less appealing to a shoplifter.

It’s a simple system that’s surprisingly effective, and it can stop a business from falling victim to shoplifting, a crime that costs U.S. retailers a staggering $50 billion each year, according to the, If you’re a store owner who wants to prevent shoplifting before it becomes a problem for your company, ink tags are one way to stop theft from occurring.

Of course, ink tags are just one aspect of retail security, and there are more measures you should take to make sure your company is secure. At Retail Security Group, we make loss prevention easier thanks to our retail security tags and detection systems.

Do security tags leak ink?

Benefit denial – Benefit denial tags see the stolen merchandise negatively impacted when the thief tries to remove the tag. The most common form is ink dye tags which release indelible ink when the tag is tampered with, effectively rendering the stolen item useless.

What kind of magnet can I use to remove security tags?

Removing Clothing Security Tag in a rush! | Security Tag on Suit | Quick and Easy!

Download Article Download Article You buy something new and bring it home only to realize the cashier forgot to remove the security tag. Ugh! Fortunately, you can get a security tag off at home without taking a trip all the way back to the store. We’ve put together an entire list of easy methods to safely and effectively remove different types of tags, whether you’ve got an ink or magnetic security tag.

1. 1 Place the ink cartridge of the tag face-down. The ink cartridge is the part of the tag that juts out of the plastic. It is on the opposite side of the pin, which is the round part of the tag.
2. 2 Pull the part of the clothing with the tag away from the rest of the clothing. Move it as far away as possible so the ink doesn’t ruin the clothing as much if the sensor cracks. Advertisement
3. 3 Slip a rubber band around the pin of the security tag. The rubber band should be large and thick enough to be strong, but thin enough to fit around the pin. This will loosen the pin.
4. 4 Hold the larger part of the ink tag with one hand.
5. 5 Pull the pin off with the other hand. The pressure of the pins should be strong enough so that the pin eventually pops off or easily pulls apart from the rest of the tag.
   • If the rubber band didn’t loosen it enough, try again with multiple rubber bands.

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1. 1 Place the item of clothing on the floor with the ink cartridge facing up.
2. 2 Take a very thin flathead screwdriver and place it along the edge of the raised square pyramid.
3. 3 Press down hard. This should pierce the plastic and pull it up.
4. 4 Continue to pop up the perimeter of the plastic.
5. 5 Remove the silver paper lining. You’ll be able to see the metal plate below it.
6. 6 Use the screwdriver to lift one of the metal arms that holds the pin in place.
7. 7 Slide the pin away from the tag. The pin should easily slide through the now-free hole and the tag should be removed.

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1. 1 Find a high-powered magnet. You can use a hard drive magnet or a rare earth magnet since most tags are deactivated in stores with electromagnetic devices.
2. 2 Place the dome side of the tag against the magnet.
3. 3 Pull the magnet away from the tag. The two parts of the tag should separate. If they don’t separate on their own, apply a little force. For instance, if you’re using a security tag that has a pin on the back, you may need to simply pull the pin out.

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1. 1 Freeze the garment with the ink tag. Freeze the garment overnight for best results.
2. 2 Rip open the tag. You can just use your hands, pliers, or the rubber band method. This will ensure that the ink won’t spill everywhere if you make a mistake – ink can’t spill if it’s frozen.

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1. 1 Gently pull the tag away from the clothing a few times. Do this ten or so times, until it loosens the pin a bit.
2. 2 Find a large nail. The nail should be bigger than the tag, and the head of the nail should be at least as wide as a penny.
3. 3 Pull the tag away from the clothing. Hold the long plastic part of the tag to the side.
4. 4 Hit down on the ink cartridge until it pops open. Without applying too much force, repeatedly strike down on the ink cartridge until it pops open. You may have to hit it twenty or more times to get it right.
   • Be careful not to hit it too hard, or the tag will be more likely to burst open.

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1. 1 Hold the security tag with the ink cartridge side up.
2. 2 Grip one of the sides of the rectangular tag with a pair of pliers.
3. 3 Grip the other side of the tag with a different pair of pliers.
4. 4 Gently bend each side of the tag down using the pliers. Don’t bend too hard or the tag will crack in half and spill ink everywhere.
5. 5 Keep bending until it pops open. This should loosen the pin and make it pop off.

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Many modern tags actually contain an electro-magnet, not an ink pouch; upon breaking it open, you will see for yourself that there’s no ink inside it.

1. 1 Put something between the tag and the head of the pin to give it some slack.
2. 2 Bend the pin back and forth until it breaks.
3. 3 Pull the tag straight back so the pin exits the hole it originally went through.
4. 4 Break open the tag.

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1. 1 Burn the dome-like portion of the tag with a lighter. After burning it for few seconds, it will, most likely, catch fire as it’s plastic.
2. 2 Use a knife or similar object to chop the dome.
3. 3 As you keep scooping in, you will find a spring and tag will pretty much pop out.

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Add New Question

• Question What kind of magnet do I need to remove a security tag? This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Many security tags are deactivated in-store with an electromagnetic device. To remove them at home, use a high-powered magnet, such as a hard drive magnet. Place the magnet on a flat surface and lay the tag on top of it with the ink dome or cartridge facing down. You should hear a click letting you know the tag has deactivated. Wiggle the pins in the tag up and down to release them.
• Question Can I remove the tag by cutting the wire? This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Most garment security tags have 1 or more pins inside that secure the cartridge to the body of the tag. You may be able to cut the wire if you can manage to get a wire cutter between the 2 halves of the tag, but these pins are thick and may be difficult to cut. Another option is to use a Dremel tool, but either method could damage your garment.
• Question Do these tags set off the alarms at the door? Quite often, yes, they are designed to set off an alarm, but this isn’t the case in every store.

See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

• Take a piece of cardstock and cut it with scissors just enough to slide it under the ink part of the alarm that way the ink won’t spread all over the garment when you try taking it off. This works for the rectangular tabs with the round pin fastener.
• You could also crack it open walnut-style with pliers.
• Use a hammer. A bit neanderthal but as long as there is no ink, it works in 3-4 smashes. Turn security tag sideways for better efficiency.

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• Thin, flathead screwdriver.
• Hammer
• Both hands (or a friend!)
• A sharp knife can be used in place of the screwdriver as it is easier to just cut the plastic pyramid off rather than pry it off
• High-powered magnet

Article Summary X If you brought an item of clothing home from the store only to find that the security tag is still attached, don’t fret. There are a few different ways to get those tags off without damaging your items. If it’s an ink tag, hold the larger part of the tag, which contains the ink cartridge, facing down.

1. Pull it as far away from the surface of the clothing as possible so you don’t accidentally get ink on it if the cartridge breaks.
2. Wrap a rubber band around the pin that holds the tag in place.
3. This will help loosen the pin.
4. Grab the larger side of the tag with one hand and the smaller part with the other, then firmly pull the two sides apart.

If it still isn’t loose enough, try wrapping a few more rubber bands around the pin. If you don’t have any rubber bands, hold the cartridge facing up and carefully pry off the pyramid-shaped cap with a flat-head screwdriver. Peel off the foil seal underneath, then use the screwdriver to pry off the metal plate that holds the pin in place.

• Then, you should be able to simply slide the cartridge up off of the pin and release the tag.
• Whichever method you use, it can also be helpful to put the garment in the freezer overnight to freeze the ink so it doesn’t spill when you pull off the tag.
• If you’re dealing with an electromagnetic tag instead of an ink tag, you may be able to get it off with brute force.

Wedge something between the tag and the head of the pin holding it in place, such as the edge of a flathead screwdriver. Grab the tag and wiggle it back and forth until the pin breaks, then break open the tag and pull it off. If you have a powerful magnet, such as a hard drive magnet, you can also try laying the tag flat on top of it.

Do security tags make noise when removed?

Detacher or deactivator However, cashiers can remove security tags at the cash register after customers pay for their products. From there, security tags and labels no longer emit a signal, and customers can pass near the antenna without causing an alarm.

What if cashier forgot to take off security tag?

Call the store and tell them what happened. If you don’t have time to run by before work., call your boss and explain the situation and see if he/she will give you time to run by the store and have the clerk at the store remove the security tag.

Can I remove a tag myself?

Tap the photo or video. Tap your username. Tap Remove Me From Post.

Can a store remove a security tag?

In retail stores, cashiers can use a magnetic removal tool to turn off the security tag, and then anti-theft strips are demagnetized.