Staff Editor — Page 115

Run a Solid Trace – Background Check Company

November 26, 2013 by Staff Editor

Having a background check company run social security traces is a good way to have accurate pre-employment screening. Just because someone applies for a job and can provide a social security number does not mean that they own that number and are working in this country legally.

Let me make it clear that there is absolutely nothing wrong with hiring employees who are not natural citizens. Many are here legally and have the proper work visa or other documentation. It is simply a reality that there are some illegal immigrants who steal or borrow social security numbers to gain employment.

A background check company can conduct pre-employment screening that involves a social security number trace. This trace can be beneficial to your hiring process. No matter what an applicant says or shows you for proof, it is still the responsibility of the employer not to hire illegal immigrants.

If the trace shows something that seems suspicious like multiple employments in multiple states, or just simultaneous employments, you might need further research on this applicant. Law enforcement will need to be involved in any identity theft situations, even if the social security number’s owner’s credit or finances were not involved.

A background check company will know the steps to take if such a situation is uncovered through the course of their pre-employment screening. They will have your company’s best interest in mind when it comes to screening applicants.

To purchase Pre-Employment Screening Services or for more information on background check experts, background checks, criminal background checks, employee background checks or pre employment screening contact us at the background check company or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: background check company, background check experts, Background checks, criminal background check, employee background checks, pre employment screening

What You Think vs. What You Can Prove – Employee Theft

November 26, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

It can be quite exhilarating to uncover the occasional employee theft case. It can become so thrilling for some that tunnel vision replaces logic and common sense when pursuing a case of internal theft. Let me give an example…

I had a cash register with more than a hundred dollar shortage back in the day. It was quite uncommon to be short more than five dollars in a day. We didn’t bother keeping a tracking log for less than five dollars for that very reason.

My heart sank when I discovered the shortage; just as quickly, I took a deep breath and decided it could be an error instead of internal theft and with a little research I would find the error.

I was on my way to disprove what appeared to be internal theft. It took very little time to comprehend how flawed I was in my assumption. The first cash transaction clearly indicated employee theft, or at least that’s what I thought at the time.

What actually happened in this scenario was that my employee rang up a low dollar transaction for a customer. The customer then handed her a hundred dollar bill. She tendered the transaction, handed him his change, and the hundred dollar bill.

I was shocked that my manager didn’t want to interview right away when I approached her to conduct the employee theft investigation. I could not understand delaying because the video was crystal clear and we had suffered a huge loss.

I soon learned that I needed to step back and consider that although the transaction had resulted in a loss, this loss did not inevitably mean that the employee was deliberately stealing. If we could not prove intent, we had no employee theft case.

For months I watched her like a hawk and discovered not even a single penny short in all that time. Perhaps she intended to return the hundred dollars; or perhaps she made a bad decision.

Either way, we could never prove it was employee theft and we were left with the situation unresolved because we could not develop a case against her with one solitary situation.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase CCTV Systems that can halt employee theft and internal theft problems and assist with employee theft investigation.

For more information on employee theft, employee theft investigation and internal theft please contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: employee theft, employee theft investigation, internal theft

Sold or Stolen – Security Tags on Clothes

November 25, 2013 by Staff Editor

I was recently asked to do a consultation with one of the national clothing chain’s Organized Retail Theft Departments. They wanted a fresh set of eyes on how they could increase clothing security and decrease their inventory losses.

Since their inventory relied heavily on special buys doing daily counts on their clothing was impractical. They never received enough of a single item to be able to effectively track it though a single sku for accuracy. These were big purchases of designer clothing that were either a second run or otherwise greatly reduced item.

Once these items sold out, there was no rebuy of the merchandise. Inventory was taken once a year so it was potentially twelve months before a loss was identified. Needless to say tracking their losses was a difficult task.

I suggested that they start by drilling down the sales reports. It is there that they would be able to see what was there but also what was not. If they were not selling in a particular area they might be experiencing theft issues. If you don’t have the product to sell, your sales suffer.

Next is to evaluate the clothing security tags on those items and increase their usage accordingly. Since the company already utilizes Checkpoint tags for their clothing alarms, it is easy to increase security tags on clothes in a specific department that is down in sales. If the sales start to stabilize, the shrink problems should be going away leaving the merchandise to be sold instead of stolen.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Checkpoint Tags, a Clothing Alarm, Clothing Security or Clothing Security Tags to put Security Tags on Clothes and an Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system.

For more information on Checkpoint tags, clothing security, clothing alarm, or clothing security tags how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us at security tags on clothes or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Checkpoint tags, clothing alarm, Clothing Security, clothing security tags, security tags on clothes

It’s a Wrap – Alpha 2 Alarm

November 25, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Alpha Security created their Alpha 2 Alarm lanyard lock for more than just purses, even though this is one of the best uses for that particular type of EAS alarm.

The Alpha 2 Alarm is a versatile retail anti-theft device. It can prevent shoplifting of a wide variety of accessories. The lanyards are large enough to work with large totes and handbags. They are not so big that they would not work for the smaller wristlets that are in fashion right now. The lanyard can also be used for other suitcases and luggage.

The Alpha 2 Alarm retail anti-theft device is a small block (only a few inches long) that has a wire lanyard permanently attached at one end. The wire is a heavy-duty wire that prevents it from easily being cut. In order to protect your merchandise, the cable wire is covered in a protective coating. This makes sure the wire does not snag on any fabrics or decorative embellishments.

The other end of the wire remains loose until it is attached to the merchandise. Then the loose end is inserted into the block. There is a push button release for easy removal with a detacher at your POS.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store for Alpha 2Alarm, Alpha 3Alarm, Alpha Fashion2, Alpha Jewel Lok, Alpha Nano Gate, Alpha Shark Tag, Alpha Spider Wrap and other retail anti-theft devices from Alpha Security to use in conjunction with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

For more information on how you can use Alpha Security retail anti-theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 2 Alarm, Alpha 2 Alarm, Alpha Fashion2, Alpha Jewel Lok, Alpha Nano Gate, Alpha Shark Tag, Alpha Spider Wrap, Fashion2, Jewel Lok, Nano Gate, Prevent Shoplifting, Shark Tag, Spider Wrap

A Powerful Resource – Anti-Shoplifting

November 22, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Checkpoint Systems play a very important role in retail theft prevention. They are a consistent way to stop shoplifting in your stores. The system is always in place and recognizable throughout the industry to both shoplifters and customers

Another powerful resource to use in conjunction with Checkpoint systems is effective customer service. It is one of the best deterrents for shoplifters.

The reason customer service is such a good component of retail theft prevention is the personal interaction your employees have with any potential shoplifters. There are some people who are considering shoplifting an item, but are more hesitant to actually do so if someone has made personal contact with them the moment they walk through the door. Similarly, more experienced thieves will also be less likely to shoplift when they are greeted and acknowledged by your employees.

It is a win-win for anti-shoplifting. Customer service is effective retail theft prevention. It will fill in the gaps that the Checkpoint systems might leave out.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Anti-Shoplifting devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system from Checkpoint Systems to stop shoplifting in your store.

For more information on Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint Labels, a Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Security Tags, Checkpoint Systems, or Checkpoint Tags and how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us at Retail theft prevention to Stop Shoplifting in your store or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: antishoplifting Tagged With: Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint labels, checkpoint security system, Checkpoint security tags, checkpoint systems, Checkpoint tags, retail theft prevention, stop shoplifting

A Successful Interview – Loss Prevention Training

November 22, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

I was never a good chess player. I have plenty of family and friends that play chess, and a few of them are quite good. I always marvel at their ability to maneuver their opponent into making a losing move. It always reminded me of how I needed Loss Prevention Training to increase my success with employee theft cases.

It’s really about understanding the nuances of the game you are playing. For chess, it is in knowing the parameters of the board – which piece moves where and how. It’s also about having a clear understanding of the end result – the win.

Since I am not a natural born chess player, I needed all the help I could get to be better with the employee theft interview process. I signed up for several Loss Prevention Workshops. The training I got helped me learn how to move the employee’s admissions right where I wanted them to be.

During your interview, you are concerned with knowing what the employee did and how they got away with it for so long. The interview is moving their answers around to block them into a confession. That admission should tell you not only the scope of your losses, but also your operational breakdowns that allowed those losses to occur.

For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

Visit the Loss Prevention Systems website for more information on Retail Employee Theft and Retail Shoplifting problems and view the Retail Loss Prevention Seminars, Retail Loss Prevention Training and Retail Loss Prevention Workshop we offer to help with your Employee Theft and Shoplifting problems.

Filed Under: Seminar Tagged With: Employee Theft, Loss Prevention Seminar, Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, Loss Prevention Workshop, shoplifting

Picture Perfect – Bottle Locks

November 20, 2013 by Staff Editor

There is a reality we have to face. Bottle security needs to go beyond the bottle locks, even when these are top of the line Alpha Security EASy Bottle locks. It needs to be about operational controls, checks and balances, and an environment where the employees know that if they step out of line, they will be detected.

After they are caught, a dishonest employee may give you a reason, like financial hardship, for why they stole from you. Perhaps a spouse lost their job, or the bills just got out of control. They needed a way to supplement their income. Maybe they have an addiction or substance abuse problem.

Whatever their story was, I will bet money that they never said that the reason why they stole was because you made it easy for them to do so.

Hey – I’m the victim here!

Yes, you are the victim and no one should have ever taken advantage of you.

However, as a businessperson, why would you not go to great lengths to protect your assets? No matter what the employee’s motives for stealing were, they found a loophole in your system that made it easier to steal than to be caught.

When your bottle security reaches beyond those physical controls like bottle locks, you start to form a picture. This picture is one that makes sure the employees know that the measures being taken are not just for shoplifters, but for the employees as well.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase EASy Bottle bottle locks by Alpha Security and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system.

For more information on Alpha Security, Bottle Lock, Bottle locks, Bottle Security, EASy Bottle or Liquor Bottle Security and how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Security Tagged With: Alpha Security, bottle lock, bottle locks, bottle security, easy bottle, liquor bottle security

Up Front and Fair – Background Checks

November 19, 2013 by Staff Editor

While it is completely legal to conduct employee background checks, there are certain regulations that need to be followed. The biggest thing is complying with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. As an employer, there are a few points that relate specifically to what and how you can conduct this pre-employment screening.

In order to protect the employee, only certain outside people can have access to this person’s credit report. An employer is one of the people who have a legitimate need for this access. The Fair Credit Reporting Act calls this having a “valid need”.

However, this does not mean that as an employer you have carte blanche access to anyone’s credit report whenever you want. To further protect the potential employee, they must give a written consent prior to you conducting a background check that involves their credit report.

Upon completion of the background checks, the employee has a right to know if they were declined employment based upon the information found within the report. This gives the employee an opportunity to determine the validity of the items reported. If there is an error, the employee has the right to have those items corrected and resubmit the report to the employer (you).

While it is in the hands of the credit reporting agencies to validate these disputes, they must still be completed within 30 days. Your applicant will probably tell you that the information is inaccurate, but a month’s time may go by before the applicant comes back with an updated report. This may delay the employee background checks ability to be redone. Don’t get too suspicious if you don’t hear back right away.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: background check company, background check experts, Background checks, criminal background check, employee background checks, pre employment screening

The Numbers Don’t Lie – Employee Theft

November 19, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Employee theft investigations require time. Internal theft is unlike the immediacy of watching your high shrink merchandise walk out the door with a shoplifter and subsequent apprehension.

When one observes a dishonest employee taking product or conducting a fraudulent refund on live surveillance, it is only the beginning of the process and one must move forward with patience and caution.

The true exposure or scope of internal theft is most often revealed through detailed exception based and statistical reporting. I have had many conversations regarding the importance and practicality of these reports.

On the one hand, reports should be the road map directing the employee theft investigation from point to point. The investigation may lead to further refunds or pass offs of merchandise. The reports may also indicate if other employees or outside parties are involved in the internal theft.

There really should be no surprises when running these reports if you truly have a pulse on your store and inventory. If employee theft has targeted a specific item, there should be no surprise that this particular item is on a high shrink list.

The employee theft investigation should reiterate the findings of statistical reports like excessive refunds or inventory losses. These reports should indicate specific areas of concern where employee theft likely is the culprit. Sudden spikes in the losses from certain product groups are good examples of this trend.

Reports will ultimately enhance and solidify every employee theft investigation, although the results could well become an example of what came first – the chicken or the egg.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase CCTV Systems that can help you stop employee theft and internal theft problems and help with your employee theft investigation.

For more information about employee theft, employee theft investigation and internal theft please contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: employee theft, employee theft investigation, internal theft

Find Your Silver Lining – Alpha 3 Alarm

November 18, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Since the beginning of time, we have been bartering and selling wares to our neighbors and communities. Since the beginning of time, there have been those who are bound and determined to find ways to steal those wares. Shopkeepers have since been forced to find ways to prevent shoplifting.

If you fast forward to modern day methods, you will find one in particular has been a little difficult to combat – foil lined bags or jackets. If retail anti-theft devices (like an EAS tag) are concealed in the foil lining of those bags or jackets, it potentially will not register an alarm like it is supposed to. The thief can remove the tag at their leisure in their own private surroundings.

Alpha Security realized that this has been an ongoing problem and has made a new series of retail anti-theft devices including the Alpha 3 Alarm.

They have performed a series of tests where they wrap one of their Alpha 3 Alarm tags in a layer of foil. They measure the results and work up to four layers of foil. The second added layer creates a small bubble that the Alpha 3 Alarm tag doesn’t register in. However, increasing the layers does not increase that bubble.

For more information on how you can use Alpha Security retail anti-theft devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 3 Alarm, Alpha 3 Alarm, Alpha Fashion2, Alpha Jewel Lok, Alpha Nano Gate, Alpha Shark Tag, Alpha Spider Wrap, Fashion2, Jewel Lok, Nano Gate, Prevent Shoplifting, Shark Tag, Spider Wrap