Can you remove a magnetic security tag at home?

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.

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• 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.

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. Wrap a rubber band around the pin that holds the tag in place. This will help loosen the pin. 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.

What happens if you take a security tag off 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.

What is the hardest security tag to remove?

Clothing tags – Clothing tags comprise three key elements; the tag (which houses the receiver in the case of EAS), the pin (which goes through the garment) and the locking mechanism (which secures the pin in place). There are two widely used types of locking mechanisms available; magnetic and mechanical, with magnetic tags available in a series of strengths ranging from standard to SuperLock, HyperLock and Multi-polar.

The stronger the magnetic lock, the harder the tag is to illegally remove, which is why a minimum strength of SuperLock is recommended. Some of the most common shapes for fashion tags include alligator tags, which have a hinge, pencil tags, which are long and thin, square tags, and round or shell tags.

In terms of security, shell tags are the shape considered hardest to prise open and remove illegally. In addition to the strength of the locking mechanism and shape of the tag, a key factor to consider when selecting clothing tags is the size of the pin-head.

Are all security tags magnetic?

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!

What kind of magnet are strong enough to remove security tags?

What kind of magnet do I need to remove security tags? Neodymium magnets are needed, The tricky part is how to position them for the field to cancel out.

Do security tags have 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.

1. 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.
2. Retailers a staggering $50 billion each year, according to the,
3. 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.

What if cashier forgot to remove 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. Don’t forget to take your receipt with you.

Why do stores put security tags on clothes?

It is an easy way to protect your merchandise. The tags will sound an alarm if they come to close to the antennas. This will make it easy for your security staff to intervene when someone is trying to steal something.

Can you cut security tags with wire cutters?

Photo: mdbildes (Shutterstock) As an anti-theft measure, clothing stores affix certain items with security tags that will set off an alarm should you attempt to leave with the tag still on the garment. Some tags will also ruin a garment by spilling ink from the tag if you try to remove it yourself.

1. This usually isn’t a problem, as long as the tag gets removed before you leave the store, but sometimes clerks can miss a tag at checkout—or you’ll receive a shipped-from-store item ordered online to find out whoever packaged it up left the tag on. Oops.
2. If you’re in this situation, here’s what you can do about it.

But first: This should go without saying, but don’t shoplift. It’s not a nice thing to do, and it’s illegal. This post is intended simply as a remedy to a situation we’ve all found ourselves in at one time or another. Use this information for good, people.

Cut it off with a dremel or thin wire cutter. You’re probably not going to want to spend the money on a dremel if you don’t already have one, but if you do, it’s a method eHow endorses, They note that a standard wire cutter won’t work, because they’re often too thick to get into the innards of the security tag. So, get a thin one, Ultimately, however, the dremel will probably be more effective, but it’s definitely the costlier option. This is tip is more aimed at people who happen to have one of these items already, or perhaps a friend with an impressive tool collection.You can use a strong magnet to remove certain types of sensors. This post reveals how to spot them, and this video shows you how to make it work, Another eHow article offers a better solution for some tags— use rubber bands ! Basically, you wrap the rubber band around the pin until it loosens, then pull the tag out. Full instructions here, Do not attempt to freeze the garment and remove an ink tag, Advice to freeze the garment and remove an ink-containing tag through brute force is pretty common online, but it probably isn’t a great idea. A few sites advise that this ink is treated with anti-freeze, meaning it will still stain your clothing even after a night or two in the freezer. Another similar alternative is to wrap a plastic bag around the tag and rip it off, but there’s a high margin for error with this method, too. Just hit it in the right place,

This article was originally published in August 2011 by Adam Dachis and updated on March 1, 2021 by Joel Cunningham to add additional methods and revise and correct old advice. (Updated 3/3/22 with new details)

Can you return something if you took the tag off H&M?

Return Policy & Methods | Refunds & Exchanges | H&M US You have 30 days to decide if an item is right for you. If you decide to make a return or exchange, head to any H&M store in the United States (excluding Puerto Rico), or register your return in the return portal.

RETURN POLICY H&M will refund most items within 30 days of purchase, provided it has not been damaged, soiled, washed, altered or worn and that all labels and tags are attached, with the following exceptions: • For hygiene and safety reasons, we can only accept returns of Beauty items if the product is unopened.

• Undergarments are Final Sale for hygienic reasons. • We cannot offer refunds on swimwear if the hygienic seal is not in place or has been broken. • Fabric face masks cannot be returned due to safety and hygienic reasons.

• We do not accept returns of restricted items. • Special collections and designer collaborations may be subject to a return policy that may differ from our standard return policy above.

• Gift cards are Final Sale. You cannot exchange items online. If you prefer items in another color, or size, please return the items you don’t like and place a new order on hm.com. FREE IN-STORE RETURN OR EXCHANGE You are always welcome to return or exchange for free in any H&M store in the US, excluding Puerto Rico.

Please bring the e-receipt attached to your shipping confirmation email along with the item(s) you wish to return/exchange within 30 days of purchase. After 30 days, you will be eligible for exchange only at the current selling price. Items exchanged must be of equal or greater value. We accept returns of all articles with a receipt, except for final sale items and the restrictions listed above.

The following cannot be returned in stores: • Articles from H&M HOME purchased online cannot be returned in our stores and must be returned by mail. • Incorrect orders, such as damaged or incorrect items, cannot be returned in our stores and must be returned by mail.

For missing items, please contact Customer Service for assistance. Your refund will be issued in the form of original payment, such as the credit card used for the order. Shipping and handling costs are not refundable. We will issue a refund to the original form of payment. Please allow up to 14 days for your transaction to process.

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

Please note: Without a receipt, we offer an in-store exchange only at the current selling price. Items exchanged must be of equal or greater value. RETURNS WITH USPS ($5.99, ALWAYS FREE FOR H&M MEMBERS) To return items via USPS, simply show the QR code when you hand over your package at a USPS location or print and affix the label provided in our Returns Portal.

1. This label is pre-paid and pre-addressed.
2. The return shipping fee of $5.99 will automatically be deducted from your refund.
3. If you are an H&M Loyalty Member, the return shipping fee will be waived.
4. Return Instructions: 1.
5. Visit our to get started.2.
6. Place the item(s) you wish to return in a suitable bag or box, e.g.

the one you received your order in.3. Download the QR code to show when handing your package over at a USPS location or print and affix the return label provided in our,4. Take the package to any Post Office or USPS Mailbox of your choice. Your refund will be issued in the form of original payment.

Shipping and handling costs are not refundable. You will receive a confirmation email when your merchandise has been processed. Please allow up to two weeks for the credit to post to your account. Please allow up to two billing cycles for the credit to appear on your credit card statement. RETURNS OF ORDERS USING FREE IN-STORE PICKUP Please note that all Free In-store Pickup orders can only be returned in stores.

Returns by mail are not accepted. To learn more about this service and for FAQs, click, : Return Policy & Methods | Refunds & Exchanges | H&M US

Does security tag ink wash out?

What Happens When You Attempt to Remove Clothing Security Tags at Home? | Bravo TV Official Site It’s a retail nightmare: you’re about to wear something brand-new to a big event, and as you’re putting it on, you realize the store associate didn’t remove an unsightly plastic security tag.

Uh oh! That scenario (sort of) happened to this season on as Kim and her sister Kyle got ready for Kim’s daughter’s baby shower. “What is hanging out of your dress, Kim?” Kyle asked. “Oh no, that comes right off, you just twist it,” Kim said as she yanked on the security tag and it popped apart. FWIW: The infamous tag on the dress looked like something called a b-tag, which stores use now to prevent shoppers from trying to return a pricey dress after they’ve worn it.

Once you snap that b-tag off, you’re committed to owning that dress for life. Kim pulled her dress out of a Bloomingdale’s bag, and a Bloomingdale’s PR rep confirmed to The Lookbook that the department store still uses in addition to traditional tags in-store for security purposes.

• So let’s put that to bed! In the meantime, what should you do if you end up with a traditional security tag on an item you paid for and took home? “This happens all the time,” says Chris E.
• McGoey, CPP, CSP, CAM.
• The sensor can actually activate the door alarm when you return to the store or another retail store for that matter if it uses the same sensor technology.

It can be quite embarrassing for the innocent shopper.” Here’s Chris’s advice: “Take the dress back to the store and go straight to the return desk. Having a receipt is helpful to allay suspicion. Ask the person at the return desk to remove the tag with their special tag-removal tool.

Be aware that tag-removal is supposed to signal that the item was purchased so it will draw a certain amount of suspicion when you present a dress with a security tag still attached. However, it is a regular occurrence so it shouldn’t be a problem.” The “certain amount of suspicion” he’s referring is related to studies showing that retail associates often profile and make snap judgements about customers’ perceived honesty when they’re returning items, based on, cultural bias, poverty bias, gender bias, and age bias.

There are plenty of people posting online, however, who’ve skipped going back to the store and have tried to take the tag off at home with everything from rubber bands to lighters to heavy-duty magnets — even sticking ink tags in the freezer and then smashing the tag with a hammer.

1. Would this work? “Many crazy methods have been used by shoplifters to defeat store security measures,” Chris says.
2. You could easily rip the garment while trying this, and if an ink pack explodes, that dress is probably dunzo.
3. We have had questions about removing the ink from security tags,” said Lorraine Muir, the ‘s director of Textile Testing and Research Services.

“If there is a heavy amount of ink on the fabric, it may not be possible to remove the stain. If only a small amount contacts fabric, it may be possible to lighten or remove the stain.” It all depends on the fabric, the composition and concentration of the staining substance, and how long the stain has set in.

If dark black ink in a security tag contacts a pink satin fabric made of silk, chances of removing the stain completely are low, although it may be possible to lighten the stain,” Lorraine says. Jon Simon of DC’s is equally cautious. “We can remove almost all types of ink – but permanent ink is really permanent – and it would depend on what type of ink that retailer’s security tag was loaded with.

Unfortunately there is no way to know for sure until the customer brings us the garment for testing,” he says. “But we have about five different spotting agents that we use along with several techniques specifically for ink removal. Also, red dye is typically the most difficult to completely remove so if the piece is dyed red it would be less likely that we could completely remove the stain.” If it was a white dress, Jon says he could maybe bleach the entire dress to hide the stain, but it probably wouldn’t match the original white.

We called a few different mall chain stores and posed the question whether a tag could be removed at home. Every store associate said it’s better to remove a security sensor in the store. In other words, don’t try this at home—and a quick scan of your items for tags before you leave the store could save you a headache later.

: What Happens When You Attempt to Remove Clothing Security Tags at Home? | Bravo TV Official Site