Ok funny you should ask this question....

I was shopping in Australia and we brought a pair of socks and a few other items from the store and put everything into the backpack we also brought...

We went into another store and the beeper went off the lady saw that we just walked into the store and said not to worry about it they may have forgotten to wipe the magnet or what ever.. Anyway we did not think anything else of it until we got back here to Canada, and what do you know the security device was still attached to the pair of socks...  Which means that the store we brought it from either has a broken detector on the door or it was not turned on....

My daughter was upset that she could not wear her socks.. And today we still have not been able to pry off the device... AHHHHH So it just proves that I am not a thief...   Anyway problem solved... Rang up my sister to go and buy us a new pair.. Love my sister....

Normally it would not matter, but it is a particular pair of socks with a skating brand that my step daughter loves and we can't find the brand pair of socks here, and because we brought them for her from Australia they were extra special so we both rang my sister with a big please can you get us another pair.. Thanks sis.. LOL

PS: If you do figure out how to get them off please I'd love to know as well.

I have had this so many times from items in layby. A pair of plyers usually does the trick.

Good luck so much for security systems in shops they never work when you want them to.

I just looked at the time and thought "maybe they'll still be open".  Did a mad dash to the store and thankfully they were still open and took the tag off (I'd forgotten to take the receipt with me, but they took pity on me I guess).  I'm feeling much more relieved now.

Thanks so much for all the advice guys! - I'll have to try that magnet in the back of speakers some time.

It's not worth the risk. The majority of actual tabs have something in them to ruin the clothing. Go back to the store and I would complain also about it wasting your time.

If it is a magnet type, the magnets on the back of speakers usally do the trick. ( no I'm not a shop lifter just a store I used to shop at often did this to me)

Depends on the type if its the pin type try to wedge something between it and prise it open...or smash the end with a hammer. Otherwise I think its a return trip sorry cant think of anything else goodluck!