Systems and methods for operating a security tag. The methods comprise: receiving a first wireless signal transmitted from a transmit circuit using a receive circuit of the security tag; inducing a voltage in the receive circuit of the security tag while the first wireless signal is being received; performing operations by the controller to selectively close a switch when the voltage is being induced in the receive circuit; and causing a release of a mechanical component of the security tag by allowing energy to flow from the receive circuit to the mechanical component when the switch is closed.