Staff Editor — Page 117

Another Set of Eyes – Stopping Employee Theft

November 5, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Not every store had a good CCTV camera system in place when I started working in Loss Prevention many years ago. One store in particular had what I call the “Frankenstein System”. Our new service vendor would not work on it because of how patched together it was from so many different systems.

To their extreme misfortune, this store firmly believed that an eyewitness account was far superior to anything, including a good CCTV camera system. They believed that no one can contest an eyewitness account because there is no evidence to the contrary.

They were absolutely right for some situations. Unfortunately that leaves room for error in other situations as I quickly discovered upon concluding one of my earliest memories of an employee theft investigation.

My store was beginning to recognize what they had been missing – literally – $54,000 admitted dollars later. They were missing not only live instances of theft without a usable CCTV system; they also had absolutely no way to review and determine the scope of where a proper employee theft investigation would take them in the discovery and verification of internal theft.

They had been relying on eye witness accounts for employee theft apprehension. What they failed to realize was – the employer can potentially seek restitution if an employee theft investigation produces previous instances of theft. Unfortunately in this instance, the only way to produce that information is with a comprehensive CCTV system that not only allows you to see the live action, but also a recordable set up as well.

I recommend a digital system. A digital system provides larger storage capacity, longer retention, clearer recordings, and no one has to remember to change out each day’s VHS tape.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase CCTV Systems that help eliminate employee theft and internal theft problems as well as facilitate employee theft investigation.

For more information on employee theft, employee theft investigation, or 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

So Completely Frustrating – Lack of Retail Anti-Theft Devices

November 4, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Last week I went shopping to find a new pair of earrings. Because I was trying to match a particular outfit, I was limited with what style and color I could buy.

There were earrings missing, or lying on the ground in complete disarray. Just when I would spy a pair I really liked, there would be something wrong with them. Without a doubt it would be the only pair like that on the rounder, too!

It was so frustrating because this store had been completely ransacked in their fashion jewelry department. I went there specifically because they advertised having the best selection at the best prices.

Eventually, I just ended up leaving without making a purchase. It was completely frustrating because I work in security and I know that there is a company called Alpha Security that makes a whole range of products named Alpha Jewel Loks designed to prevent shoplifting from happening.

Alpha Jewel Loks easily attach to the jewelry, not the jewelry cards. This makes them harder to steal because the shoplifters can’t detach the retail anti theft devices. It also makes it easier for the stores to keep their merchandise together and undamaged. If you can’t get the earrings off the cards, you save yourself, and the customers, a huge amount of frustration.

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: Alpha Fashion2, Alpha Jewel Lok, Alpha Nano Gate, Alpha Shark Tag, Alpha Spider Wrap, Fashion2, Jewel Lok, Nano Gate, Prevent Shoplifting, Retail Anti Theft Devices, Shark Tag, Spider Wrap

A Flick of the Wrist – Checkpoint Security Tags

November 1, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

If you have been searching for anti-shoplifting tools to stop shoplifting, you might have seen a slew of knock off Checkpoint security tags. These are tags that work with Checkpoint systems, but are not authorized Checkpoint security tags.

It might be enticing to buy these knock off tags because they are less expensive than Checkpoint security tags. What you might find out is that there is a reason why these tags are so cheap.

Authorized Checkpoint tags are designed to a different quality standard than these other tags. One of the most significant differences is in the quality of construction.

Checkpoint tags are made to be a seamless piece of molded plastic that has the EAS tag imbedded within it. Part of the success of the tag is that the EAS component cannot be accessed and subsequently disabled.

When you have an unauthorized tag, the construction quality can vary greatly. Often the tag has a seam in it that can easily be pried open. It doesn’t take specialist equipment either. A screwdriver or even a small pocketknife can pry the tag apart revealing the inner contents.

Once the tag is in two pieces, the EAS component can easily be discarded. Without the risk of sounding an alarm, your merchandise is wide open for the taking.

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

For Your Viewing Pleasure – Clothing Security Tags

November 1, 2013 by Staff Editor

As a merchandising manager, I have spent countless hours trying to find the balance between my clothing security and my visual display and merchandising guidelines. To be used in conjunction with your Checkpoint tags, the Alpha Security Fashion2 is smaller and more visually appealing. These clothing security tags are customer friendly, fashion forward, and of course a huge deterrent for shoplifters.

Just because you are using clothing security tags for loss prevention does not mean that you can’t continue to make your product and your displays look their very best. The biggest difference these tags have is that they are much smaller. They are also available in black instead of just a standard white. This makes them less obvious visually in your presentations, but does not conceal them completely from the roving eye of a shoplifter.

Security tags on clothes should not be a distraction from marketing or sales promotions. By making these particular tags smaller, easier to color coordinate with darker fabrics, and be overall less obvious is a huge win. There is the same high quality and reliability as a clothing alarm that comes with Checkpoint tags

Your visual presentation will not be compromised in the same way it has been for years when you use big and bulky clothing security tags.

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

I Laughed Until I Cried – Loss Prevention Seminars

November 1, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

I have hosted countless loss prevention workshops for my company. For me, it can be a pretty routine class. I give the same basic talks over the same basic subjects like shoplifting and employee theft. I know where to pause, where to take a break and where to add in the same joke, that usually gets the same polite laugh.

No matter how many classes have gone through my loss prevention training, I have found very little new to add. That was until I had to give a joint presentation in larger loss prevention seminars with one of my counterparts in another region.

Even though we cover the same materials daily in our jobs, I was moved and inspired by his parts of the presentation. I was able to find a new perspective and new insights into our presentation material.

He had different examples of shoplifting cases. Ones that would be new methods and strategies I could take back to my regions.

We talked after the loss prevention seminars were over. He had found a similar inspiration in my presentations. It seems that even though we were considered experts in our field, we were not above learning something different. Had it not been for the joint effort we would not have ever realized that we could also benefit from a basic loss prevention workshop.

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

Refund Fraud in Liquor Stores – Bottle Security

October 30, 2013 by Staff Editor

Let’s start with the basics, refunded merchandise does not cause inventory shrink. If someone stole the merchandise and then refunded it, it is generally called a fraudulent refund. Fraudulent refunds are just as problematic as shoplifting, especially when you are lacking bottle security.

However, the inventory loss happened when the merchandise was stolen, not when the merchandise was returned. If you are using bottle security then you should have less exposure to fraudulent refunds.

If you are not using bottle security, then you might be seeing a shrink implication in addition to these returned bottles of liquor. The best way that I have found to reduce these returns is to use EASy Bottle locks. If the bottles being returned still have these Alpha Security bottle locks, you can safely bet that these are situations that need to be further investigated.

The Alpha Security Bottle locks do not just come off on their own. They need to be removed with a key – one that should only be accessible to your employees, and used after a purchase has been made. If the employees are diligent in removing them, then it is easier to take a logical jump that if a bottle lock remains, the product was not paid for.

Keep in mind that sometimes there might be an error on the part of an employee who did not remove the bottle lock, but that is probably an isolated incident, not the norm.

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

I can’t Know It All – Background Checks

October 29, 2013 by Staff Editor

However, there are many things that I do know. Some came from formal education, others from on-the-job training, or real life experience. All of these experiences come together to mold me into a reasonably well-rounded person with expertise in some of life’s challenges.

It does not make me proficient, skilled, adept, or even knowledgeable, i.e., an expert in all things.

As much as I would like to be all of the above in all things, reality dictates that it will never happen – to me or anyone else. We simply cannot know (or find out) all that we need to know without consulting someone with expertise in many of the areas that we are inexperienced. A great example of this principle is background check experts.

I know the basics of what background checks accomplish and why they are important to my business. I have absolutely no idea how to conduct the thorough employee background checks that are critical for the pre-employment screening process.

Background check experts know exactly what to do and how to do it. They are well versed in the legal aspect of what can and cannot be asked as well as having the time to devote to the process. They run background checks EVERY DAY and have been thoroughly trained in the process.

Thankfully, I don’t have to be the expert here. I can concentrate on my work and let the background check expert’s focus on their work – conducting my pre-employment screening process.

For more information on background check experts, background checks, criminal background checks, employee background checks, or pre-employment screening please 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

Those That Can, Should – Loss Prevention Seminars

October 28, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

In my experience, to be a successful trainer, you have to spend time honing your skills and your education. It helps you become an expert in your subject matter. It also helps you to comprehensively answer the questions that might arise during your Loss Prevention Seminars.

They say that those that can – Do, and those that can’t- Teach. Sayings like that must have been true at some point to have sustained the momentum to keep the saying alive. However, it isn’t always the case. Take loss prevention training for example. The company’s founder – Bill spent years actually doing, so now he can take his experiences and teach you.

How would you expect someone to effectively answer questions on how to conduct interviews for employee theft situations if the trainer had never conducted an interview before?

They would not be able to give you tips on getting the most beneficial information from that employee. They might also not know that there are certain safety precautions that should be in place in your office before you conduct the interview.

If it were not for the experiences a full career in Loss prevention has given, you would not be getting such a complete education during your loss prevention workshop.

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

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

Pesky Customers – Employee Theft

October 28, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

When you have an associate or a manager insisting on working overnights, you might want to look at a few things first. Ask why they are unable to be productive during the day. Are they unmotivated and disgruntled? Well, then that employee probably is a prime candidate for causing employee theft. It might not the best idea to leave them unsupervised at night. I think you are just asking to start an employee theft investigation.

Over the years, I have seen many employees and managers convince themselves that the only way to really get anything accomplished is to work an overnight shift. They complain that the customers (gasp!) are too needy and prevent them from accomplishing their tasks.

While they may rid themselves of any pesky customers, we forget that it also rids them of any security measures that might prevent employee theft. You see, it is not just about keeping a door locked or having retail anti-theft devices that prevent internal theft. It is having another set of eyes on them to keep an employee honest.

If you do let them work overnights, make sure you do your best to control the situation. Can you set a perimeter alarm so the building is secured while they are working? That is an alarm that only responds when an exterior door is opened, but not the motion detectors on the inside. That way someone else locks the employee into the store for the night. Barring a medical emergency, they would stay inside until someone unlocks the door the next morning.

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

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.

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

What Do You See – Checkpoint Systems

October 27, 2013 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

When you walk into a big box retailer, what do you see? I’ll bet you see clothing, general merchandise; maybe some power equipment or groceries. There are probably several employees in uniform, and maybe one or two employees that are in “plain clothes” that you don’t see. What about a Checkpoint Security System?

If the retailer has done it well, you should not be acutely aware of the Checkpoint System they have in place. It is their job to be discrete enough that you don’t feel like you are walking into Ft. Knox. You, as a customer should have a pleasant and enjoyable shopping experience while in their stores.

If you are not a shopper, but a shoplifter, the Checkpoint Security System is designed to stop shoplifting. By using a combination of anti-shoplifting tools like cameras, EAS tags, alarms, and Public View Monitors, big box retailers know their security systems will stand out to those who are looking for them.

As a small business owner, it is ok to model your own loss prevention and security after the big box model. You may not need to incorporate all of the things that those big retailers do, but even a fraction of those tools will help you stop shoplifting in your store.

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.