The tag circuit system uses resonant circuit technology in conjunction with an insulative substrate and conductive ink or metal conductor to permit the tag to be sewn into the clothing, protecting the circuit elements, yet providing a trace on a portion of the tag which can be clipped from the main portion of the tag to change the operation of the tag. The tag can be configured to resonate at a first frequency outside the frequency of detection, be clipped to resonate at the frequency of detection, and there after subjected to an over current condition to cause the circuit to fail to an open circuit condition to thence be disabled; or it may initially resonate at the detection frequency and then be clipped to an open circuit condition to thence be disabled. The circuit components may be formed of conductive ink or stamped from metal sheet enabling the tag to be inexpensive and to make the circuit components less prominent, particularly where the color of ink used matches the color of the dielectric substrate. These tags are inexpensive and tamper proof and may be incorporated into the body of an article to be protected. The tags do not need to be purchased, attached, inventoried, controlled or handled by the retailer and thus reduce selling expense.