Which of the following systems uses tags to deter theft from merchandise?

The correct answer is Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems, which utilize tags or labels attached to merchandise to prevent theft. These tags are activated at the point of sale, allowing customers to purchase the item and removing the tag. If an item with an active tag attempts to exit the store without proper deactivation, an alarm will sound at designated exit points, alerting store personnel of a potential theft. This proactive approach reduces opportunities for shoplifting, serving as a strong deterrent.

While video surveillance systems serve a critical role in monitoring customer and employee behavior to identify theft after it occurs, they do not actively prevent theft in the same manner as EAS systems. Access control systems are primarily designed to restrict entry to certain areas and do not specifically target merchandise theft. Intruder alarm systems typically detect unauthorized entry into a facility but do not address theft of individual merchandise items actively. Thus, EAS systems stand out as an essential tool specifically tailored for merchandise protection against theft.