Employee theft of Gift Cards – Atlanta Georgia

January 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

There is a new trend of employee theft (also known as internal theft) that I am finding in my stores.  This internal theft concerns gift cards.  Generally gift cards are hard to steal since most don’t have any value until rung in the POS system.  If a cashier tries to ring up a gift card and does not put money in the register then the till will show short and the theft is obvious so this does not happen often.  I completed an employee theft investigation a few months ago that has yielded a new twist and turned into several internal theft investigations.

What I found during this employee theft investigation was that the cashier used coupons to “pay” for the gift card.  Here is how this theft is occurring.  Many stores (especially as we approach the holidays) carry gift cards to a variety of other stores.  Most all stores have in house gift cards available for purchase as well.  The cashier will ring up the gift card when no one is around and then use coupons that have already been redeemed by other customers to “pay” for that gift card.  The register thinks the card was paid for so no shortage occurs in the till.  It is not until you reconcile the coupons that you find that you do not physically have as many as the system shows were redeemed.  In many stores that take in mass quantity of coupons (such as grocery stores) those coupons get sent to a third party and the store may never see the chargeback that hit their cash line when the coupons are “redeemed” with the vendor.

In order to pick up on this type of employee theft I suggest looking at a few things.  First, keep an eye for gift cards and coupons lying around the registers that don’t belong.  Also, look at employee purchases with gift cards and then trace the origin of that card to see how it was valuated.

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

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Retail theft prevention strategy for 2012.

January 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment

As we are coming out of 2011 we look forward to 2012 and all it has to offer.  For those of us in retail we are hopeful of increased sales and better profits.  One thing we need to also look at is retail theft prevention.  Many businesses are struggling in the current economy as sales are down and shoplifting is on the rise. The companies who survive tough economic times are those who are able to balance making money and not losing money.  We all are good at making money.  That’s how we got promoted to the jobs we have.  The hard part is keeping those hard earned dollars on the bottom line so we can show a profit at the end of the year.

A major solution to retail loss is the utilization of anti shoplifting devices.  A great anti shoplifting device is the Checkpoint Security System.  Checkpoint systems are economical and they can be custom fitted to your specific business.  Checkpoint security tags are well known to shoplifters.  There are many different types of thieves, but the two concerning categories are opportunist and Organized Retail Crime.  The opportunist category of shoplifter is concerning because anyone can fall into this category.  In fact, the majority of offenders are opportunist.  They are regular customers that on an impulse make the decision to steal.  Checkpoint systems can help deter these persons.  Since they steal when they think they can get away with it, knowing that items are protected with Checkpoint security tags will often deter their crimes.  Organized Retail Crime rings also know about the Checkpoint Security Systems.  They too want to steal and be undetected so utilizing this type of anti shoplifting device will also help gain retail theft prevention from these very dangerous groups as well.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase retail anti theft devices from Checkpoint Systems.

For more information on, Checkpoint Security System, Anti Shoplifting or Checkpoint Security Tags contact us at Retail theft prevention or call 1.770.426.0547

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Physical security of Bottles… YES YOU CAN!

January 11, 2012 by

For many years in the Loss Prevention field it was a frustration to find a way to physically secure bottled product that still allowed the customer to easily read and handle the product. This was almost impossible without having to waste payroll or hurt customer service by having the product locked up and pulling an employee to unlock and show the product to the customer who has been patiently waiting only to now have an employee standing over them giving them a feeling that they are not trusted.

Unfortunately liquor bottle security was one of the top shrink frustrations, many of us tried to use a soft EAS tag as a type of bottle lock or tried to tie EAS lanyards around the bottle with a checkpoint security tag. Unfortunately neither served successfully as bottle locks. Niether of these attempts at bottle security were asthetically pleasing nor offered easy ways to store the bottles. Finally a company called Alpha security came to the resue of business owners everywhere from both a sales and loss prevention point of view.

Alpha Security offers different types of “alarmed” EASy bottle locks that are very effective since they will set off an alarm if a thief attempts to defeat the tag as well as making the product non consumable thus useless. These bottle locks also allow product to be merchandised in areas fully accessible by customers in ways that maximize marketing appearances. The tags are lean and allow for easy storage on store shelves and while clearly labled are still pleasing to the eye. By bringing product out to the store shelves so that customers can easily study and select businesses can and have maximized their sales.

EASy bottle locks is a catchy name letting you know that even if the thief decides to try to leave the premises with the bottle hoping to defeat the alarmed bottle lock at home the EAS checkpoint pedestals at the front of the store will sense the bottle lock.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase EASy Bottle bottle locks by Alpha Security.

For more information on Alpha Security , Bottle Lock , Bottle locks , Bottle Security , liquor bottle security or EASy Bottle contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

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A variety of options for putting security tags on clothes.

January 11, 2012 by

As a business leader, when do you ever apply one concept to a problem?  We almost always have multifaceted solutions to our business problems.  Why should clothing security be any different?  There are many different shoplifters, we sell many different items and therefore we need a variety of clothing security solutions if we are going to be successful at tackling the theft problems in our stores.  Take clothing security tags for example.  There are dozens of companies who manufacture clothing security tags and there is certainly more than one clothing alarm on the market.  Now in most cases you can only use one of these solutions at a time, but there is a solution that breaks this mold.

First, start with and a Checkpoint clothing alarm.  Putting security tags on clothes is a basic, but important first step.  Checkpoint makes a reliable system and Checkpoint tags come in a wide variety of options just by themselves.  You can get labels and hard tags.  You can even get Checkpoint tags sewn into the lining of the clothes.

Step 2, add Alpha clothing security solutions.  Alpha manufactures clothing security devices that will work with your existing AM and RF clothing alarm systems.  Now you have more than one type of tag that can be utilized on the same system.  Alpha has standard hard tags, much like Checkpoint tags, but they have some different items as well.  With Alpha you can put security tags on clothes that have their own alarm.  That’s right.  Not only will the tag set off the clothing alarm at the door, but there is also an alarm built in the tag that will have it screaming too.  This variety will help keep the shoplifters guessing and will make it hard for them to defeat all of your solutions.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase a clothing alarm or clothing security tags.

For more information on Checkpoint tags, clothing alarm, clothing security, or clothing security tags contact us at security tags on clothes or call 1.770.426.0547

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Preventing Shoplifting: A Common Sense Approach

January 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment

When a small business owner starts writing a business plan with the hopes of starting a small retail store chain they tend to forget the importance of Loss Prevention. When looking at overhead they may factor in a couple retail anti theft devices such as a camera system or lockable display cases, but there is no comprehensive plan to prevent shoplifting or internal theft. Developing a shrink strategy to prevent shoplifting is tricky even for loss prevention professionals who work for companies that already do have established shrink programs. The small business owner should sit down with loss prevention professional consultants to work out a multifaceted loss prevention program that will be catered directly to the proposed business employing several retail anti theft devices with the purpose of not not only preventing shoplifting but to address shrink at every level.

             There are many variables to take into account before purchasing any retail anti theft devices. What type of product will be sold? How large is the location? How large is the sales floor vs the stockroom? Where will the point of sale be located on the sales floor? What is the crime index where the business will be opened? Are there other retailers next to you and what type of retail anti theft devices are they employing at their locations? Do other local retailers employ security guards? How close is the stockroom door to the point of sale? How close is the stockroom door to the store’s entrance/exit? How close is the stockroom door to the bathroom area? All of these must be considered when developing an overall shrink strategy so as to accurately account for the cost of a loss prevention program as well as to ensure the proper strategy is in place before the business ever opens its doors.

             One of the biggest challenges is trying to pinpoint the amount of loss that will occur and then budget enough money to purchase the correct loss prevention tools without going overboard. It is a tricky process that has to be tweaked every year based on inventory results and loss prevention incidents. Another very important factor in deterring loss is hiring the right people. Part of the shrink strategy should be to have a comprehensive pre employment screening process that includes criminal and employee background checks. Another piece to the puzzle will be to train all employees on shrink reduction strategies as well as to familiarize themselves with the loss prevention tools such as camera systems, EAS checkpoint systems, tagging  Ensuring the right employees are in place is one of the best methods to prevent shoplifting.

             To the small business owner this could seem to be a daunting task that is why it is recommended that this be a part of the initial business plan to ensure the shrink strategy can be fleshed out completely before the doors open. Buying a few retail anti theft devices after the store is open and hoping to prevent shoplifting is a recipe for failure. Trying to develop a shrink plan on the fly while opening a new business will not allow for proper thought and planning thus leaving a business owner constantly trying to play catch up.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store for retail anti theft devices that can help you prevent shoplifting in your business.

For more information on how you can use retail anti theft devices to prevent shoplifting contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 

 

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RF Labels: The right fit for the holidays.

January 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Money is often tight for many people around the holidays. Between holiday presents and the abundant festivities, people are looking for more ways to get the items they need for free. It should be no surprise then why the majority of my shoplifting cases occur during the winter months. So what is the best way to stop shoplifting? I would start with RF security tags.

The great aspect about RF security labels is the versatility. These RF labels can be placed on anything from small, concealable items such as makeup and fragrances to larger jewelry boxes. This enables them to be a great addition to the Checkpoint clothing security tags in your store.

 In addition, the deterrence effect of a small RF label can make a big difference. Customers won’t even notice the Checkpoint label, however the shoplifters will. Once the shoplifter sees the RF label they will think twice about putting that item into their jacket or purse. It doesn’t disrupt the customer’s shopping experience but will put a dent in any thieves’ plans.

 It is also a great way to support your store even if you already have loss prevention in place. In the stores I cover as a loss prevention agent, the holidays bring many shoplifters and I am not always able to catch every person that steals. To help me stop shoplifting in my store, I rely on Checkpoint security tags in order to deter the shoplifters.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, and other RF labels that can help you stop shoplifting in your business.

For more information on Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, RF labels, RF security labels, RF security tags and how to stop shoplifting contact us at RF label or call 1.770.426.0547

 

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Seasonal workers causing employee theft in Atlanta Georgia

January 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Tis the season for greetings, gifts and theft.  As hard as it is to swallow, the holidays seem to bring out the worst in employees, especially those seasonal employees we hire to handle the increase in customer traffic.  Employee theft (also known as internal theft) between now and the new year will be the highest of the year so I recommend you start now keeping a close eye on your workers.

When I conduct an employee theft investigation I always try to find out “why” the theft occurred.  Here is what I have found about holiday theft.  One, everyone is under increased pressure to come up with extra money for Christmas gifts.  Many individuals (especially now) are living paycheck to paycheck so this increase in funds may not be readily available.  With that said kids expect a visit from Santa and the spouse deserves something nice under the tree so that forces generally honest employees into a tough spot.

The second major theme is that seasonal help has no loyalty to a company.  Our regular employees need the company to perform well so they keep jobs, benefits, 401K’s, etc.  Seasonal help has no such long term use for the company.  They are there to get their holiday money and whatever else they can get away with.  Now I realize this is a little jaded of a view and there are, in fact, some great seasonal workers.  What I am trying to illustrate is that as a whole the need to care for the company’s well-being is not the goal, but personal gain is so this causes the trend to be higher that employee theft will come from seasonal help.  Finally, the ability to conduct an employee theft investigation is hampered by increased business and short time frames before the seasonal positions end. Internal theft is a real fact of business so be ready to protect your profits this holiday season.

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

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Are background checks really necessary?

January 10, 2012 by

A retailer I once worked for asked the question, “Are background checks really necessary?” They found out the hard way.

A young and promising manager was hired expeditiously to fill a long open management position at metro location. Heavy customer flow, huge volume sales and an unruly staff encouraged the hiring managers to forego any pre-employment screening and background checks. As time went on, the store didn’t seem to be making any sort of headway on controls and as a matter of fact was experiencing a new concern…cash shortages.

Criminal background checks and pre-employment screening are important parts of the business environment. Nothing can kill a business faster than an employee that comes on board with the intent to commit harm on the store.

I and other members of the loss prevention department looked into this store, trying to figure out what the problems could be. It didn’t take very long to realize what was going on. There was clear cut evidence of theft. Now it was a matter of finding the culprit. Cash is secured in the safe, so we looked at personnel with access to the safe, then contacted our Human Resources Department and looked at any background checks and pre-employment screening information available. Obviously, no criminal background checks were completed on any of the 4 persons that had access to the safe.

Our investigation showed us the newly hired manager, and we interviewed him. In the short 6 months he was with us, he took us for nearly $10,000 in cash and more in merchandise. After, we looked into his background and found that he had been fired from 2 other retailers for theft and did over a year in prison for embezzlement. Certainly, criminal background checks and proper pre-employment screening could have prevented this.

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

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Grocery retail theft prevention is a growing concept.

January 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment

When you think of theft, most people think of stolen electronics, clothes and perhaps hobby items.  What most don’t consider is that grocery stores face a large amount of theft too.  That is unless you happen to work for a grocery chain.  Those who work in this area, whether chain supermarket or small general store, know that theft is a large part of doing business.  I have found that this is perhaps one of the last great frontiers, if you will, for Loss Prevention to become an integral part of the business structure.

Well here are some things that I have found are needed in this retail setting that all should consider.  Anti shoplifting devices are a must for retail theft prevention.  I recommend the Checkpoint Security System if you are in need of a new anti shoplifting system.  The Checkpoint Security System is a total security solution.  Checkpoint systems can encompass CCTV, alarms and EAS.  All these things are necessary to protect your store from both external and internal theft.  The Checkpoint security tags are great EAS tags.  They are cost efficient.  Checkpoint security tags can be placed on virtually any package.  In fact, you can even get Checkpoint security tags that are built into your meat soaker pads to help protect your high end primals and seafood.

Another great thing about Checkpoint security tags is that you can get them to look several different ways.  The standard tags are great, but a new concept has been to have your store name stamped on the tag.  This lets everyone know that the product came from your store and is great retail theft prevention to Organized Retail Crime organizations who intend to resell the product.  It is too easy for the police to trace back to the store of origin so they will generally leave this product alone and go steal it elsewhere.

 Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase retail anti theft devices from Checkpoint Systems.

For more information on Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Security Tags, or Anti Shoplifting contact us at Retail theft prevention or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Let a Background Check Company help you create the best staff for 2012.

January 8, 2012 by

As we enter the new year I would imagine we can all look back at the associates we hired in 2011 and in many cases ask ourselves, “What were we thinking?”.  The hiring process is a very complex process.  One large problem is that for the most part you have to rely on the person’s word that they are a good employee and you don’t get to test them out before you make an offer.  (Hint: Most people have biased opinions about their skills that may not reflect their actual ability).  To help with that you can utilize pre employment screening and background checks to help weed out the less than desirable candidates.

“Knowledge is power” – Francis Bacon.  We have all heard this quote and hopefully understand how true it is.  So then why would we give someone the keys to our success without finding out as much about that person as possible?  There are many different pre employment screening and background checks that can be performed by professional background check experts.  One type is criminal background checks.  Criminal background checks look into an applicant’s life history and searches for arrests and convictions.   Generally, you don’t want to hire a sex offender to work at your daycare or put a thief in your jewelry store.

Background check experts can also conduct employee background checks that look at a person’s education, work history and finances.  Don’t you want to make sure the person who says they’re a doctor to actually have a medical degree?  Applicants often overstate their qualifications on their resumes too.  Perhaps they were an assistant manager, but said they were the manager.  That is important.  Plus a small lie up front is usually a prelude to bigger lies down the road.   Employee background checks can help prevent a lot of headache later and is definitely worth the investment to make sure you have the best people working in your business.

 For more information on, background checks, criminal background checks, background check experts, employee background checks or pre employment screening contact us at the background check company or call 1.770.426.0547 

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