Australians are stealing from shops, service stations and cafes as the cost of living rises, new data shows.
Comparison website Finder said that in a survey of more than 1000 respondents, 12 per cent confessed to stealing in the past 12 months due to financial stress.
That would equate to 2.4 million people around the country.
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The survey found that five per cent of Australians had stolen items at the supermarket self-checkout, while four per cent had lied about what they had scanned - telling the computer it was weighing onions rather than avocados, for example.
The average Australian spends $740 a month on groceries – increasing by seven per cent in the past 12 months, according to Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker.
Finder's research showed four per cent of Aussies had driven away from the bowser without paying for fuel in the past year, while two per cent had left a cafe or restaurant without paying.
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Gen Z (24 per cent) were more likely than any other generation to have obtained basics like food and fuel unlawfully.
The results showed 12 per cent of Gen Z respondents had left the supermarket without paying for an item, compared to only three per cent of Gen X.
Finder head of consumer research Graham Cooke said many Aussie households are financially strapped.
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"Money pressure is escalating with a rising number of households in survival mode," he said.
"Both Woolies and Coles mentioned a rise in shoplifting during their recent profit announcements.
"Aussies are clearly struggling to afford basic necessities and some are turning to criminal behaviour to get by.
"This, combined with the widespread use of self-checkouts, has resulted in opportunistic shoppers leaving with more in their bags than they paid for."
Cooke said a rise in illegal behaviour had forced retailers to step up security.
"Retailers have had to crack down on theft by installing cameras at self-service kiosks and employing more staff to monitor checkouts."
Cooke urged households to examine where they can save money.
"Groceries, fuel, electricity, insurance, mortgages and rents have all gone up. But simple switches could save you hundreds of dollars a year," he said.
Cooke encouraged Aussies to access food banks such as OzHarvest and SecondBite if they were struggling to afford food.
"As tempting as it may be, a basket discount is not worth the cost of a potential criminal record," he said.
"Having said that, with FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) profits up dramatically, it would be understandable for consumers to expect their retailers to do more to help them get through the cost of living crisis."
