Amanda Bynes was dragged into a shoplifting case after she left a luxury department store wearing a hat she hadn't paid for. The actress says it was just a misunderstanding.

Police were called to Barneys New York Wednesday afternoon when Bynes left the store wearing the hat.

"Police responded to a petit larceny," NYPD spokesperson was quoted by people.com as saying.

"Amanda Bynes placed a hat on her head and left the store. Security brought her back in and called the police, but the security decided to release her ... She was gone when the NYPD arrived on the scene," added the spokesperson.

According to police, Bynes signed a no-trespass affidavit, banning her from the high-end department store. No charges were filed.

Bynes says it was just a misunderstanding.

"I was walking out of the store to get my handbag out of the car," said the 28-year-old.

"I had been harassed by a man - a man and this woman were basically trying to take my picture inside the store, and so I asked them to stop taking it, but they wouldn't... They were like paparazzi but undercover," she added.

Bynes says one of the security guards knew she was leaving and would be back but that there was a miscommunication with another guard.

"I walked out of the store, and the sensor went off. I didn't realise I was wearing my cap. And the cap - I was purchasing it, and I was actually still shopping," she said.

Bynes also said the store asked her not to return.

"I basically just had to leave. They said, 'Please, just don't shop at Barneys anymore.' But oh well. It's fine," she said.