The article summarizes States' civil recovery laws relevant to shoplifting, providing information on the statute number, its application to minors, whether actual damages can be recovered, the retail value of merchandise, additional penalties, and whether court costs and attorney's fees can be recovered by the plaintiff. Two basic types of such programs are suggested: inhouse programs and programs administered by an outside agency. The costs of an inhouse or out-of-house civil recoveries program are minimal compared to the benefits provided by civil recoveries laws.