Retailers have their hands full with a growing problem that is wreaking havoc on their stores, their inventory, their bottom line and consumers.

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Organized retail crime is a $30 billion issue that is actually getting worse, despite more resources and increased efforts to combat it.

According to the National Retail Federation's 11th annual Organized Retail Crime Survey, which polled senior retail loss prevention executives, an alarming trend is developing.

"Almost every retailer surveyed (97 percent) said that they had been a victim of ORC in the past year, and that's actually the highest percent we've seen in the survey's history," said Kathy Allen, National Retail Federation spokesperson.

That figure is up from 88.2 percent who said so last year. And, of those victims over the past year, the survey also found more retailers have seen an increase in the activity at their own company (84.9 percent versus 60.3 perent last year).

Brazen and often dangerous criminals are finding new ways to steal thousands of dollars in merchandise, which has a severe impact on not only retailers.

"But potentially on innocent consumers who are buying these stolen items unknowingly online or from fake store fronts or pawn shops," Allen said.

Allen said consumers will most often come across stolen health or beauty items, such as teeth whitening strips and baby formula.

North Jersey is very often a hotbed for ORC, and is ranked 10th nationally for top locations of activity in the survey.

"Mostly because of the money that comes into that area and the access to highways," Allen said.

She said there is unprecedented support and cooperation between law enforcement and retailers to try and curb this epidemic. While there is no specified federal legislation yet, 30 states now have ORC laws, including New Jersey.

However, even with those partnerships, state-of-the-art technology, and more awareness from from retail management, the criminals continue to stay one step ahead.

"Regardless of how tall of a wall retailers build to combat this issue, criminals continue to find taller ladders," Allen said.

Check out the survey results here.

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