Target Changed Its Return Policy For Suspected Fraudulent Returns–Customers, Take Note

Target is making a clear distinction on their official return policy page ahead of the holiday shopping season–they are NOT tolerating fraudulent returns ahead of this crucial revenue period for retail.

In an attempt to keep fraud at bay, the big box store just published a more clearly defined return policy on its website . According to the change, Target “ reserves the right to refuse returns , refunds, and exchanges, including but not limited to prevent fraud, suspected fraud or abuse.”

And while most items can still be returned to stores and online within 90 days of purchase, and up to a year for their house brands, Target has made the restrictions on what can be returned with a receipt stricter. Unopened items must be in “new condition” to qualify for a full refund or exchange, they’ve now stated. You can’t, for example, buy a Halloween sweater, wear it once and then return it to a store. Makes sense!

What Changes Will Be Made To Target's Return Policy For The 2024 Holiday Season?

Target superfans will note that the main return policy is still the same--you can still returns items from their private label brands for up to a year.

This policy has been widely praised, especially by parents who rely on the policy for returning the store's Cat & Jack brand children's clothing when their kids outgrow the sizes.

But many are pushing back on this week's fraud policy change, saying that whereas the company used to default to trusting the customer when making returns, Target employees are now able to refuse returns if there is any suspicion of fraud. Under the new policy, customers may find themselves being prevented from returning an item even if they have a receipt, if the store clerk thinks that the return is fraudulent. Ouch.

READ MORE: Amazon Just Made A Huge Change To Its Return Policy & Customers Are Freaking Out

But this may be a relief for some Target shoppers who have noted on Reddit that the store's generous policy leads to some product quality being sub par (because its been used, returned and re-sold in stores). Like this toaster oven that clearly made some meals ( see the tin foil! ).

Target employees may also be relieved by the new policy, after stating that the year-long return policy without many restriction made processing returns in store " incredibly difficult ."

Examples of return fraud

Return fraud comes in different forms, but here are three widely reported examples of fraud that Target employees will likely be trained to look out for:

Swapping products: In these examples, the customer has purchased an expensive items, then returned something of lesser value or quality (or even an entirely different product), in order to secure a cash refund of a higher amount.

Returning stolen goods: This fraud involves stealing merchandise from a store and then returning it with a fake  or altered receipt. This is your reminder to always keep your receipts as Target will definitely be scrutinizing them during returns now.

Wardrobing: This scam involves purchasing items and using them temporarily and then returning them. This could be a piece of clothing for a specific event, or an electronics that you only need once. Returning the item once the item is no longer needed is calling wardrobing, and may make you susceptible to having your return denied in store.

READ MORE: Walmart has a new return policy, too

Bottom line: Target is cracking down on fraudulent returns ahead of the holiday shopping season. Where they used to be generous, aka not really have any restrictions at all on what you could return (as long as you had a reciept), now they reserve the right to refuse your return if the employee processing the return is suspicious that you may have used it, altered the receipt, or stolen it. If you're an honest Target shopper, this change won't effect you much. But if you've been relying on the generous return policy to say, buy your kids Halloween costume and then return it, then you will definitely need to start changing how you shop at the store.