Shoplifting & Return Fraud

June 7, 2023 by

Shoplifting and return fraud are two types of theft that can significantly impact retailers’ bottom line. Shoplifting is the act of stealing merchandise from a store, while return fraud is when a customer returns an item they did not purchase or returns an item that has been used or damaged. Both of these types of theft can result in lost revenue and can be challenging for retailers to prevent. However, there are several strategies that retailers can use to minimize their losses.

One way retailers can prevent shoplifting is by implementing security measures in their stores. This can include using security cameras, hiring security guards, and installing electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems such as a Sensormatic System that detect when merchandise is leaving the store without being paid for. These measures can act as a deterrent to potential thieves and can also help identify shoplifters when theft does occur.

Another way retailers can prevent shoplifting is by training their employees to be vigilant and to recognize signs of shoplifting. This can include looking for customers who are carrying large bags or who are dressed in bulky clothing that may be used to conceal stolen merchandise. Retailers can also train their employees to approach customers who are acting suspiciously and to offer assistance, which can deter potential shoplifters.

Return fraud can be more difficult to prevent than shoplifting, but there are still several strategies that retailers can use to minimize their losses. One approach is to implement strict return policies that require customers to provide proof of purchase and that limit the time frame in which items can be returned. Retailers can also use technology to track returns and identify patterns of fraud, such as customers who frequently return items without a receipt.

Another way retailers can prevent return fraud is by inspecting returned items to ensure that they are in the same condition as when they were sold. This can include checking for signs of wear and tear or damage, and verifying that all parts and accessories are included. Retailers can also use third-party verification services that specialize in detecting return fraud.

Remember, shoplifting and return fraud can be significant challenges for you as a retailer however, there are several strategies that can be used to prevent them. These include implementing security measures, training employees to recognize signs of theft, and using technology to track returns and detect patterns of fraud. By taking a proactive approach to theft prevention, retailers can minimize their losses and protect their bottom line.

If you would like more information please Contact Us or go to our web site at Loss Prevention Systems

Filed Under: antishoplifting, Background checks, Background Screening, clothing alarm, Clothing security tags, Employee Theft, Internal Theft, Inventory Shrinkage, Preventing Theft, Security, Seminar, Shoplifting Prevention, Training

A Loss Prevention Agent Can Solve Your Riddle and Protect The Innocent

August 11, 2010 by

The following two scenarios are pretty good clues you should seriously consider talking to a professional loss prevention agent.

Scenario one: You are a retail business owner who has a suspicion that you have an employee who is stealing from you, but you can’t quite put your finger on it the specifics.

Scenario two: There have been small amounts of cash missing, the register doesn’t always balance at the end of the day, or that item of merchandise you were sure you had yesterday can’t be located today, and there is no record of its being sold.

You may be asking yourself the following questions:

How do you find confirm you have a case of employee theft and how do you determine the how serious it is?

Is now the time to confront the suspect employee or to launch a full blown internal investigation to find the source of you suspicions?

Will a confrontation cause the guilty employee to stop his actions before you are able to prove involvement and have a chance at restitution?

In order to alleviate internal theft properly, certain steps must be taken by a qualified loss prevention agent.  These trained professionals will protect any innocent employees from feeling suspect and to protect you from any liability.

This is the time to contact an experienced loss prevention consultant who has the skills and experience to quickly get to the bottom of your problem and to find out the depth of employee involvement using highly developed investigative analytics and interview skills and to bring the situation to a successful conclusion.

For further information on what a Loss Prevention Agent can do for your situation, visit here.

Filed Under: Employee Theft, Loss Prevention Agent, Loss Prevention Consultant, Loss Prevention Investigator, White-Collar Crime Tagged With:

Employee Theft Issues Best Handled Through Loss Prevention Consultants

August 9, 2010 by

These scenarios are good clues you should consider talking to  professional loss prevention consultants.

You are a retail business owner and have recently had a suspicion that you have an employee who is stealing from you, but you can’t quite put your finger on it the specifics.  There have perhaps been small amounts of cash missing, the register doesn’t always balance at the end of the day, or that item of merchandise you were sure you had yesterday can’t be located today, and there is no record of its being sold.

How do you find out if you have a case of employee theft and how do you determine the how serious it is?

Is now the  time to confront the suspect employee or to launch a full blown internal investigation to find the source of you suspicions?  Will a confrontation cause the guilty employee to stop his actions before you are able to prove involvement and have a chance at restitution?

In order to alleviate internal theft properly, certain steps must be taken by a qualified  loss prevention consultant to protect any innocent employees from feeling suspect and to protect you from any liability.

This is the time to contact  experienced  loss prevention consultants who have the skills and experience to quickly get to the bottom of your problem and to find out the depth of employee involvement using highly developed investigative analytics and interview skills and to bring the situation to a successful conclusion.

For further information go to:  Loss Prevention Consultants

Filed Under: Employee Theft, Loss Prevention Consultant Tagged With: ,

Proactive Theft Prevention

August 5, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Retail loss prevention experts agree, and endless studies and industry surveys confirm, that a large portion of shrink – unexplained inventory losses – as well as cash shortages are caused by employee theft.

The question retailers suffering from employee theft might ask themselves is this: Did I employ a thief or did my policies and procedures encourage a formerly honest person to steal?

An employer can’t know what is in the mind of a potential employee.  But he is able to check into the employee’s past to determine if there is a history of involvement in property crimes like theft, or crimes of violence such as assault and/or battery through a thorough background investigation.  The past of an applicant can be revealed by a criminal history check in the jurisdiction where the applicant lives through an examination of public records relating to arrests, convictions, and sentences handed down by the local courts.  Although a past record is not an absolute indicator of future behavior, it can be argued that a person with several arrests for similar crimes can be expected to revert to that behavior at some time.

A person’s history of drug or alcohol abuse might also be revealed and considered.

If your employees have access to your property and cash, or have contact with the public, a background investigation can reduce your losses as well as your liability for an employee’s actions.

It makes sense to start with an honest employee.

For more information, go to:  Background Screening

Filed Under: Employee Theft, Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Suspect White Collar Crime? Call a Loss Prevention Investigator

August 5, 2010 by

If you suspect your business is victim of corporate fraud/ white collar crime, you should consider consulting a loss prevention investigator.

Wikipedia defines white-collar crime as “a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation”. We have found that this kind crime is not just reserved for the Senior Management of a business or retail establishment. People frequently involved in white-collar crime include Department Heads, Assistant Managers and Managers.

Employees at this level of management have access to inventory, cash, bookkeeping records and deposits. They can make changes to inventory and records and are in fact expected to do so in a genuine business situation.  Because of this access and trust there are employees that end up committing white collar crime by voiding sales, modifying the accounting records, stealing inventory and depositing checks to their own account.
How can an employer protect it self from white collar crime? To begin with the hiring process must be designed to screen out candidates that have high-risk backgrounds. Some of these include:

  • Termination from a previous job for theft.
  • Poor credit history. If a person cannot manage their own money do you really want them managing yours? There are some exceptions such as a severe medical problem. But beyond those types of issues a poor credit record tells you how they manage their life.
  • Traffic tickets beyond the occasional speeding ticket. Drunk driving, reckless or careless driving and frequent accidents tell you yet again more about how the person conducts themselves.
  • Criminal histories also give us a window into a person’s mindset. I am not talking about the check they bounced in college for dry cleaning. Domestic violence, assaults, drunk and disorderly type incidents show that a person is not in control of themselves. And of course convictions for serious crimes such as murder, kidnapping and rape not only show us that the person is out of control but is a high-risk liability for an employer. If you hire someone like this and they commit any crime against your employees or customers and you will most likely be held liable.
  • Employment testing with one of the many employment-screening tools that sort out people that are prone to the issues above are very effective.
  • Drug testing
  • Companies should conduct multiple interviews by more than one management team member skilled in pre-employment interviewing.
  • Check references. This tends to get down played but clearly has merit. Require references with teacher’s previous supervisors, co-workers, etc beyond the ones that they list on their resume.

Protect your self by being proactive. Remember, white-collar crime is never, ever going away.

For more information what a loss prevention investigator can do for your potential issue, go here: White-Collar Crime or call 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Employee Theft, Loss Prevention Investigator, White-Collar Crime Tagged With:

Internal Theft Of Your Company Information

August 4, 2010 by Leave a Comment

It can happen to any company.

A dishonest employee decides to take a job with a competitor or start their own business. What makes them dishonest is that they download and take with them your customer and confidential information. This is clearly internal theft. But what do you do? In does depend on your states law. However, there is also the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

But before this happens you should first take preventive actions. Internal theft of a companies information must be prohibited in your employee handbook. The employee signs for this book when they come to work for you. Their access to your data is only for the furtherance of your business only and ends when they terminate. Even if you forget to remove them from your computer systems.

Finally, make sure that you get back laptop computers and immediately remove their access to the companies building and alarm system. Delete remote access passwords. The courts cannot help your company until you get your house in order and prevent internal theft.

Loss Prevention Systems specializes in Internal Theft Investigations. For more information: Internal Theft Information or 1.770.426.0547

Filed Under: Employee Theft