Price tag switching is when a person tampers with a price tag for two reasons: Buying an item for a discounted price Returning an item for more money than it was purchased. Price tag switching hurts business owners. Price tag switching is a punishable offense in many states. The punishment varies from a Class C misdemeanor to a first-degree felony, depending on the difference between the price marked and the price paid. Offenders can also be sent to jail for this criminal deed.