Better Holiday Business with Employee Background Checks

December 22, 2011 by

Businesses are busier than ever right now and to handle the increase in customer traffic, many businesses are looking to hire temporary employees for the holiday season.  Are criminal background checks necessary, even for temporary employees?  The answer is yes.

Pre employment screening can weed out those people that may be looking to steal from you for the holidays.  Criminals know that along with the season comes an increase in desirable merchandise, as well as cash from increased sales.  Some criminals seek temporary employment just to gather intel on how to steal from businesses.  They steal on their own internally or by becoming an employee to enable co-conspirators acting as customers to steal.

Even when caught, many thieves go on to commit crimes again.  This is evident by the rate in which those in prison return later again after being released.  Often the desire to earn a quick profit illegally is greater than the risk being taken.  This is why employee background checks can be very beneficial to the business owner wanting to know who exactly he or she is hiring.

A reputable background check company can help you make your decision by doing an in-depth check on your potential employee.  Background check experts will provide you with the information you are unable to obtain from a resume, an application, or even a face to face interview.

Background checks for employees, whether temporary or permanent, are worth the reassurance that the decision you have made to hire is the right one.  Going this extra step before hiring can save losses down the road.

 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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Liquor Bottle Security – Fact vs. Fiction

December 22, 2011 by

There seems to be quite a bit of misinformation about liquor bottle security.

Fiction, a bottle lock will not deter shoplifters. Bottle locks can only be removed by a special key. Removal by any other means will most likely result in breaking the bottle. This and the struggle to remove the bottle lock will result in drawing attention to themselves. Most shoplifters will simply go elsewhere like you compaction.

Fiction, liquor bottle security will not keep a shoplifter or thief from opening the bottle and consuming it or pouring it into another container while in the store. An Alpha security product like EASy Guarde , EASy Bottle or Crystal Guard the bottle lock or cap covers the neck of the bottle and cap or cork.

Fiction, you have to have a Checkpoint System or other EAS system to have bottle security. This is not true. Effective bottle security can be achieved with the use of bottle locks such as EASy Guarde or EASy Bottle. They cannot be removed without a special key.

Fiction, bottle locks are expensive. Nothing could be further from the truth. Bottle security devices range in cost from $1.50 to $3.00 each. But what is most important to remember is that they are completely reusable. Purchase good quality like Alpha Security and you will find that they will probably outlive you. You only need to buy more as your volume increases. Now consider this: These bottle locks work 24/7. They never take a break or vacation or call in sick.

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 – Atlanta Georgia

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Are You Defending Your Apparel Profits?

December 22, 2011 by

In this economic environment it is important for retailers to defend their apparel profits as they can go a long way in determining the overall profitability of a retailer.  A solid clothing security program that includes clothing security tags and a clothing alarm system is critical in protecting profits from clothing sells.  It is not wise for a retailer to think that shoplifters want target their stores.  A great defense to theft is having a great offense in place.  Clothing security is an offensive strategy that has been proven effective at reducing loss due to theft.  Clothing security tags act as a visual deterrent to theft.  A clothing alarm is a visual and audible deterrent to theft.  A clothing alarm can send a shoplifter running for the exit.

How do you decide what brand of clothing security rags to use? When placing security tags on clothes it is important to make sure the clothing security tags will be reliable and not prone to defect. Checkpoint tags provide that reliability the reliability that you’re looking for.  Checkpoint tags are used throughout the retail industry.  Checkpoint tags come in an array of sizes, shapes and colors.  When placing these security tags on clothes you can be confident that they will be effective at deterring theft. The placement of these security tags on clothes is easy and fast. Clothing security tags usually have two pieces which snap together.  Clothing security tags are as simple to detach as they are to attach to clothes.  Having security tags on clothes means a better defended product.

Clothing security is a total team effort associates must be willing to place security tags on clothes.  Let them know that in doing so they are helping the store to be profitable.  In my experience as a loss prevention manger I have found associates are more than willing to do their part to defend the store from theft.

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

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

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Do you use Keeper cases to prevent shoplifting?

December 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment

I bet the answer is “No”, but hopefully you will reconsider.  Keeper cases are one of many great retail anti theft devices produced by Alpha Security in an effort to help you prevent shoplifting.  I had never heard of Keeper cases until about a year ago when I changed jobs.  The new company I went to work for started using them after we saw them at a conference.  I have been more than impressed with line of retail anti theft devices that we use from Alpha Security.

 The Keeper case is great for small items.  There are many different sizes and shapes that can be used to fit specific commodities and then there are other boxes that can be used as a “catch all” for whatever you need protecting.  Some of the specific commodities that are offered are cases for: video games / DVD’s, Razors, Family Planning items, Blank DVD spindles, Infant Formula, etc.  Again, there are generic Keeper cases as well that you can use for other boxed merchandise.  I have a variety of other items that I use them for (i.e. cosmetics, over the counter medicines, small electronics, etc.). 

 The Keeper case is a clear hard plastic box that locks the merchandise inside.  It has a built in non-deactivatible tag in the top that will work with your existing EAS system so no other hardware is required.  You can simply get the cases you need and start to prevent shoplifting immediately.  Another great feature is that you can get clips to hang the Keeper cases on pegs or you can stock directly on the shelf.  This sometimes helps in merchandising odd shaped packages as the case has a flat bottom and stacks nicely without falling over.  Finally, you get the security of locked products without the negative impact of customers having to wait for someone to get the product for them.  They can self-serve and bring to the register.

 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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Stop shoplifting or it may be YOUR goose being cooked!!

December 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment

As a District LP Manger of a supermarket chain I am often struck by what people will actually try to steal.  It can be funny, but also unnerving, to see someone actually try to stick a turkey, ham or other large item under a dress and try to walk out.  Besides the sanitation issues that I don’t even want to ponder, I am very concerned by the brazen approach to supermarket theft.  I see more push outs and other obvious thefts here than any other hard or soft line retailer that I have ever worked before.  In order to stop shoplifting I rely heavily on RF security tags and RF security labels.

 One leading producer of RF security tags and RF security labels is Checkpoint.  Checkpoint security tags and Checkpoint labels are some of the best in the business.  There are a variety of sizes and shapes that the Checkpoint security tags and Checkpoint labels can be purchased.  This helps me to protect a wide variety of products.  I can use the hard Checkpoint security tags and lanyards to protect some of the general merchandise and promo items that we sell.  I use RF labels on a large variety of OTC, HBC and Meat products.  There are several options for each category that I find work well for my business.  From RF label soaker pads to source tagging options, Checkpoint helps me stop shoplifting and increase customer satisfaction.

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

 

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Employee theft linked to rising prices – Atlanta Georgia

December 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Statistically the number one reason that businesses raise their prices is to offset loss.  Secondly they raise prices to offset an increase in cost from the vendors.  Both of these can be strongly influenced by internal theft (also known as employee theft).

Employee theft is the number one causer of loss in major retail.  Most studies show internal theft as contributing to 45-70% of the overall losses to the company.  In addition, retailers aren’t the only ones experiencing employee theft.  Vendors and manufacturers have internal theft as well.  No company is exempt.  A vendor or manufacturer can have low level employees taking goods and they can have upper management cooking the books and embezzling money as well.  All of these losses are then passed onto the next person down the chain.  The manufacturer charges the vendors more to offset their losses.  The vendors then charge the stores more when they sell to the buyers.  The stores in turn charge more to the consumer.  One way to help keep prices low for your customers and protect your profits is to conduct an employee theft investigation.  This can be done by a trained manager or can be outsourced to trained LP Investigators.

A proper employee theft investigation is geared at accomplishing several results.  The first result is to find the thief and get rid of them.  On the surface this at least fixes that particular problem.  But the employee theft investigation should not stop there.  It should also look at how much did the employee take and pursue restitution, civil demand and possible criminal prosecution.  This will recoup money for the company so ultimately the losses are minimized.  Additionally, the employee theft investigation should look for others committing the same acts and should look at possible solutions to preventing future losses of this nature.  This provides more long term solutions against employee theft.

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

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HOLIDAY RETAIL THEFT PREVENTION

December 18, 2011 by Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again!  The holiday shopping season is quickly approaching and retailers are scrambling to make preparations.  They are ordering new merchandise, hiring seasonal staff and hanging colorful lights throughout the store.  The holidays feel truly magical at times!

Many consumers have put a little extra cash aside to purchase the perfect gift for close friends, family and co-workers. As a result, there is always a sales increase in November and December. Unfortunitally the busy holiday shopping season is also the busy holiday shoplifting season so being anti shoplifting must be a priority.

A major retailer I once worked for saw a 100% increase in shoplifting incidents during the last quarter of the year.  Retail theft prevention was always a priority but we really had to work extra hard to protect profits over the holidays.  Shoplifiters love a busy store because it gives them a greater sense of security.

Having a checkpoint security system in place was a great tool to support our anti shoplifting program.  Retail theft prevention is without a doubt a challenge for any retailer during the holidays and checkpoint security systems were used to track our trendiest items on display.

We simply placed checkpoint security tags on the merchandise and the tags would be removed by a customer service associate at the point of sale.  If the checkpoint security tag was not removed and a shoplifter attempted to leave the store with unprocessed merchandise, the door alarms would alert our staff.

If you are ready to make retail theft prevention a priority this holiday season you should consider a checkpoint security system.  Checkpoint security tags by checkpoint systems helped us deter opportunists that prey on busy stores and were the pillar of our anti shoplifting program.

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

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

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The benefits of a thorough background check

December 18, 2011 by

Employee background checks are an essential part of the retail and business world. Every year retailers experience high dollar losses related to dishonest employees or employees that were not processed through a pre employment screening process.

Recently, I worked for a company where background checks were not a priority. In one store, a newly hired employee showed strong management potential. During store visits, this employee was always on point, spoke intelligently about the business and demonstrated strong business acumen. I remember hearing the comments from the senior management staff about this employee and how he was destined to be the next store manager at this high sales volume store.

At this company, the senior staff was not overly concerned about background checks for employees because they believed they had the competence to identify potential “monsters” and we good judges of character. Moreover, to this company, pre employment screening was a waste of money and a criminal background check was absolutely not necessary and overkill. During one conversation, I mentioned a background check company I had worked with in the past, and said this company could very easily, seamlessly come in and perform a criminal background check on potential management employees.

Not taking my advice, the senior management staff promoted this new employee to a co-manager position. He started off strong and demonstrated his willingness. He was given more responsibility and access to various points of the store. Within a year, he made store manager. Within the next year, he made off with over $100k in cash and merchandise that he and his friends planned on since his promotion.

Had the company simply invested in the effort of pre employment screening and background checks, this loss could’ve been prevented. During the investigation, I discovered this employee had been terminated from a previous employer for embezzlement. He had a serious criminal history that could have easily been identified with a criminal background check, and this loss could have been prevented.

Background check experts are not only good at employee background checks; they are directed to help prevent losses in your business with thorough pre employment screening.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store.

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

 

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Don’t let thieves leave with your liquor! Invest in bottle security.

December 18, 2011 by

The holidays are fast approaching and this is good news for any business that sells liquor or wine. Unfortunately, money is usually tight for some people during this time which means shoplifting is a greater concern for any store owner. In order to protect your business, liquor bottle security should be a must. Bottle locks by Alpha Security can make a huge difference in deterring holiday theft.

The key to denying shoplifters from leaving with your items is making bottles harder to steal. Liquor bottle security is a great way to make a shoplifter think twice before stealing. The bottle lock works with your alarm system to make a loud noise if they attempt to leave with the EASy bottle still attached. In addition, removing the bottle security is not an easy task. Even the strongest thieves would have a difficult time attempting to remove a bottle lock. The amount of time the shoplifter would waste attempting to remove the bottle locks leaves a lot of time that they could be noticed by someone. That time is valuable when the shoplifter is attempting to leave as soon as possible without being noticed by anyone.

Denying shoplifters the ability to leave with your merchandise allows you to keep your prices reasonable and maximize profits for your business. With liquor bottle security reducing shoplifting isn’t difficult. It can be as easy as placing a call to Alpha Security. To cut down on theft, choose 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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Checkpoint Tags: Clothing security done right.

December 18, 2011 by

Retailers use Checkpoint tags to ensure they have the best brand in clothing security.  Clothing security tags should be durable and should not be easily removed without the appropriate detacher or deactivator for a clothing alarm.  When placing security tags on clothes the retailer should be comfortable that they will stay on the clothing until the clothing security tags are removed with a detacher found at the POS register.  In my past experience I have seen shoplifters come into the store with wire cutters and try and cut clothing security tags off the clothing.  Criminals are intent on taking what they want.  It is important that retailers be intent on keeping what they have.

This makes it even more important for a retailer’s clothing security to include Checkpoint tags that affix tightly to the clothing and do not allow for easy removal by wire cutters or pliers.  Shoplifters will try to remove the security tags on clothes if they think they can do it easily.  Checkpoint tags provide no easy way to improperly remove them from the clothing.  I have seen shoplifters try for hours to distract the cashier long enough to try and remove a security all with no luck.  I know if the merchandise would have not been protected by a security tag the merchandise would have been taken and the shoplifters would have probably visited the store again.

Clothing security tags or a clothing alarm can provide the protection needed to prevent shoplifters from stealing valuable merchandise from any retailer.  Shoplifters are entering stores daily to scope out the theft prevention practices in place for that location.  When they see security tags on clothes or a clothing alarm in use at a store, they will check that store off their shoplifter list.  Let Checkpoint tags provide the clothing security you need at your retail location.

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

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

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