Michigan has made great strides in combating retail crime in the 13 years since the Organized Retail Crime Act became law in 2012, but criminals often change their methods faster than the law can keep up. New laws at the state and federal levels aim to change that.

"Gift card fraud, scams, and theft are a growing threat, and I'm sure we've all experienced or known somebody that's experienced some type of a scam dealing with gift cards," said Representative Mike Harris (R-Waterford Township) in a committee hearing in June.Representative Harris was speaking as the sponsor of House Bill 4598, which, together with House Bill 4599, introduced by Representative Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), would include gift card fraud as an offense in the Organized Retail Crime Act. In stores across Michigan, thieves are tampering with gift cards and returning them to store racks, waiting for customers to buy and activate the cards, and clearing them before the customer has a chance to spend the money. House Bills 4598 and 4599 would give prosecutors the flexibility needed to charge the sophisticated scammers who are costing Michigan retailers and shoppers.

At the federal level, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Catherine Cortez Maso (D-NV) reintroduced the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), which would follow Michigan's lead and establish a nationwide effort to align law enforcement and industry partners to crack down on retail theft, including the creation of an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security.

2025 is shaping up t o be a critical year for the legislative efforts to combat gift card fraud and organized retail crime at the state and federal levels, serving as a reminder why organizations like MRA and our state and federal partners need to stay engaged and stay proactive.