Spanberger presses online retailers on counter retail-theft measures

(The Center Square) — Virginia Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger sent letters to several prominent online retailers Monday seeking “information on their efforts to curb the resale of stolen goods.”

Those who participate in organized retail and cargo theft will often resell those items online in third-party marketplaces like Amazon, eBay and Facebook Marketplace – and that crime has a cost that is ultimately passed on in part to the consumer.

“In Virginia, $1.3 billion in merchandise is stolen annually – contributing to more than 12,000 lost jobs and more than $80 million in lost tax revenue,” according to a press release from Spanberger’s office.

That’s why Virginia passed a law in 2023 ratcheting up the penalties for organized retail crime. Congress also passed the Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers Act last year.

The Virginia law made it a class 3 felony for anyone caught conspiring or acting with others to steal more than $5,000 of retail product within 90 days. The INFORM Consumers Act requires “online marketplaces to collect, verify, and disclose certain information about high-volume third-party sellers offering new or unused consumer products” and to shut down seller accounts that don’t provide the requested information.

Spanberger, in her letters, requested information on how online retailers track and respond to suspicious activity that could result from organized retail or supply chain crime.

“Organized retail crime (ORC) and cargo theft continues to skyrocket, and it is evident that stopping these criminal enterprises will require the full cooperation of all impacted parties,” said Spanberger.

The Virginia Retail Federation supported her efforts.

“Ensuring the safety of our employees in our stores by curtailing organized retail crime and supply chain theft is a top priority for the Virginia Retail Federation and its members across the Commonwealth,” said the federation’s Director of Government Affairs, Jodi Roth. “We know more work needs to be done, and we are pleased to see our federal leaders stepping up to support local law enforcement to tackle this pressing issue for their constituents and Virginia communities.”