Legal Definitions - ringing the changes

Ringing the Changes refers to a specific type of fraud where an individual intentionally confuses a cashier or vendor during a transaction to receive more change than they are rightfully owed. This scheme typically involves paying for a low-cost item with a large denomination bill, then quickly initiating a series of requests or changes of mind regarding the purchase or the change itself. This creates a chaotic and confusing situation that makes it difficult for the vendor to accurately track the money exchanged, allowing the perpetrator to surreptitiously take extra cash.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Imagine a customer at a busy convenience store who buys a $3 energy drink with a $100 bill. The cashier places the $97 in change on the counter. Before the cashier can finish, the customer quickly says, "Oh, wait, I think I have exact change for the drink, can I just get two $50 bills back instead of all these smaller ones?" While the cashier is processing this new request and looking for two $50 bills, the customer discreetly pockets a $20 bill from the change already on the counter, then hands the cashier a $3 bill. The cashier, distracted by the sudden change in payment and the request for specific denominations, might give the customer their original $100 bill back (or two $50s) without realizing the customer has already pocketed an extra $20 from the initial change.

  This illustrates "ringing the changes" because the customer used a large bill for a small purchase, then created confusion by changing their request about the change denominations, allowing them to pocket some of the initial change without the cashier noticing amidst the rapid alterations to the transaction.

• Consider a customer at a small, independent bakery who purchases a $4 croissant with a $50 bill. The baker places the $46 in change on the counter. Immediately, the customer says, "Actually, I also wanted a coffee. And can you break this $20 bill for me into two $10s?" while pointing to a separate $20 bill they just pulled out, and simultaneously gesturing at the change on the counter. As the baker turns to prepare the coffee and process the new $20 bill, the customer quickly grabs a $10 bill and a $5 bill from the original $46 change. The baker, trying to keep up with the multiple, rapid requests, might not notice the missing original change and then proceed to make change for the $20 bill the customer just presented, effectively losing $15.

  Here, the customer employs "ringing the changes" by introducing new items and additional change requests immediately after the initial change is given. This series of rapid, confusing demands distracts the baker, enabling the customer to surreptitiously take more money than owed from the original change while the baker is focused on the subsequent requests.

• A customer at a bustling farmers' market stall buys a $7 bag of apples with a $20 bill. The vendor places $13 in change on the counter. The customer immediately says, "Oh, I just found a $5 bill! Can I give you this instead and get my $20 back?" As the vendor reaches for the $20 bill to return it, the customer quickly picks up a $10 bill from the change on the counter, then hands the vendor the $5 bill. The vendor, focused on retrieving the original $20 and completing the new transaction, might not notice the $10 missing from the change, effectively giving the customer the apples, their original $20 back, and an extra $10.

  This scenario demonstrates "ringing the changes" as the customer pays with a large bill, and once the change is presented, they quickly introduce a new payment method (the $5 bill) and a request to reverse the initial payment. This creates a moment of distraction and confusion for the vendor, allowing the customer to discreetly take an extra portion of the change before the transaction is fully reconciled.