Melissa McKay was fined $100 on each offence for using two stolen debit cards 11 times at Warrawong Plaza on January 25, racking up $658 on the cards.

She was also placed on a two year community corrections order.

Magistrate Claire Girotto warned McKay that if she did it again, she'd receive more than a slap on the wrist.

"If you come back... bring your toothbrush," Magistrate Girotto said.

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"This sort of stealing is so easy to do... you can keep tapping until someone realises their card is missing," she said.

The court heard the stealing was spontaenous, and McKay had been spiralling after a number of traumatic events in her life.

She was caught on CCTV at several shops in Warrawong Plaza on the day.

Documents tendered to court reveal when police officers searched McKay's residence later, they found clothes and a wig she was wearing at the time of the stealing offences.

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