Clothing Security Tags Benefit the Store Team

April 23, 2011 by

Clothing security tags offer a sense of control not only to the store management, but the store team as well. Merchandise protection standards that include clothing security tags offer the associates a chance to productively protect, their merchandise. I say “their” because the associates should have a vested interest in protecting merchandise in the store and helping boost profits while using clothing security tags.

Allowing associates to actively participate in applying clothing security tags is a positive position to take. Placing security tags on clothes, the associates feel more part of the team, and truly take pride in their work. In the event a shoplifter enters the store and attempts to steal merchandise, the associate will provide excellent customer service, deterring the thief, because their work is being challenged.

OK, Ok, security tags on clothes ideally work to protect the merchandise on which they are placed. However, employees do like being active and feeling like part of the team. Having employees place security tags on clothes, or assigning them this task, they become vested. The take a valued interest in ensuring the merchandise is available for customer, and even more, provide better customer service.

Security tags on clothes have been around for quite awhile, and are the most recognized approach to clothing security. Retailers throughout the world rely on this form of clothing security because it is simple, straight forward technology that works. Clothing security issues arising out of the lack of security tags on clothes can easily be fixed by adding the additional tools or making more clothing security tags available to the store itself.

All in all, having a well executed clothing security program and associates that take an active role ensuring the program is functioning 100%, the outcome, profits will be positive.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store

For more information about a clothing alarm contact us at clothing security tags or call 1.770.426.0547

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Assessing Your Effort to Prevent Shoplifting

April 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment

How much effort does a retail store manager or owner need to devote in order to prevent shoplifting?

From the human capital side, personnel have to be specially trained in what to watch for in customers that might reveal a shoplifter, how to react when a customer is suspected, learn who to call, when to confront, how to deter, in general how to protect merchandise from thieves in addition to their regular duties.  This training has to be reinforced regularly in order to remain effective, and the people have to be managed.  There are also staffs dedicated to shrink control such as store detectives and fitting room attendants in some retail operations.

What helps to prevent shoplifting from the hardware equipment side?  There is special packaging that is next to impossible to remove from the merchandise makes life difficult for potential shoplifters.  There are lockable cabinets, specialty displays that attach the merchandise to the rack, and alternating hangers.  There are convex mirrors hung strategically in hard to see areas and one-way mirrors for surveillance.

From the psychological perspective, there are retailers that post signs warning that shoplifters will be prosecuted and “ghost calls” made periodically over the public address to a non-existent security staff for the benefit of the potential shoplifter.

There are a couple of electronic options to help prevent shoplifting.

One is CCTV, or the use of closed circuit television including a dvr to record any incidents.  A great instrument to prove a shoplifting case, and a deterrent to the unsophisticated shoplifter but requires someone to physically watch the monitor in order to actually catch someone shoplifting.  This is of great use in defending bogus slip and fall lawsuits and in detecting and solving employee theft, because the recorded media can be reviewed at a convenient time.

Another popular electronic means of retail theft prevention is the use of an EAS device such as those from Checkpoint Security Systems.  With a Checkpoint Security System, attaching Checkpoint tags to them or placing Checkpoint labels on them protects selected merchandise.  The Checkpoint tags and Checkpoint labels can only be removed or deactivated by an employee at the point of sale.  If this is not done, an alarm sounds as the merchandise passes through the antennas, and the situation is then addressed.  The use of Checkpoint Security Systems in retail serves as a deterrent and as a detection device, and is one of the most operationally efficient ways to prevent shoplifting.

Call 770-426-0547 to learn more ways to prevent shoplifting, about Checkpoint Security Systems, Checkpoint labels, and Checkpoint tags, or click here for more information.

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Identifying Internal Theft – Atlanta Georgia

April 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Personally, I believe that people who commit internal theft should be forced to wear a brand or a scarlet letter on their chests for the rest of their days. However, I’m aware that my brand of puritanical justice has little or no place in today’s society so it appears we’ll have to do it the hard way. Unfortunately, dishonest employees and shoplifters are the same in the respect that they come in all shapes, sizes, races, ages and sexes. There are no identifying marks or tell-tale signs. However, a loss prevention professional can make a reasonable assessment based on an individual’s conduct, integrity and judgment.

A person’s past can tell a lot about their future. There are a small percentage of people who would never steal, no matter what. We love these people dearly, by the way. There are a much larger percentage of people who will steal only if they believe they can safely get away without being identified. Then there is another small percentage (about the same size as the first) that will invariably steal from you at their first opportunity and continue to do so every chance they get. These people will have probably stolen before. Perform background checks on all new hires. Sure, people can change, but do you really want your business to be the proving ground for a so-called reformed criminal?

Internal theft is so rampant in the retail industry because you are forced to trust people to handle your money and merchandise every minute of every day. Most people want to be seen as honest and trustworthy. Most people in the retail business don’t make a great deal of money, even though they may be called upon to handle tens of thousands every day. This is where temptation comes in. Ensure that you treat your employees with respect. Make them feel that they have a vested interest in the company’s success, and you’ll find that your incidents of internal theft will decrease dramatically.

For more information about corporate fraud investigation or corporate fraud investigator or employee theft or employee theft investigation contact us at Internal Theft or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Clothing Security…The birds and the bees

April 21, 2011 by

Clothing security is a vital tool used by retailers across the world to reduce the negative effects of shoplifting. The use of a clothing alarm system can dramatically reduce your company’s loss. Most shoplifters will avoid or at least think twice before attempting to steal from a store that has a clothing alarm system.  A clothing alarm system consists of three major features.

The first feature is an invisible RF (radio frequency) field that is located at exit doors and sometimes at entrances to restrooms or other locations that a store decides they want merchandise that has not been purchased to go. This clothing security system will alarm if  “live” clothing security tags is pass through the field.

The second feature is the use of clothing security tags. Clothing security tags are placed on your merchandise and will alarm your clothing alarm system if someone tries to steal the item. These usually come in two forms, what is called a “hard tag” and a “soft tag.” The difference between the two is that a hard tag is reusable and is detached at the point of sale. A soft tag is designed to be permanently deactivated at the point of sale and leave the store still attached to the merchandise.

The third feature is the detacher/deactivation unit that is located at the point of sale. When a client brings the merchandise to the counter for purchase the clothing security tags are detached or deactivated. Now when the items that were properly purchased leave the store they will not alarm your clothing security system.

While a clothing alarm system will not guarantee that you will never have a shoplifter it is a very important tool that can be used to greatly reduce the risk of a shoplifter reducing your bottom line.

For more information on clothing security, clothing alarms or how clothing security tags can help you with you business, contact us at Loss Prevention Systems, Inc.

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Another Reason to Prevent Shoplifting – Atlanta Georgia

April 20, 2011 by Leave a Comment

As if there weren’t enough reasons to prevent shoplifting, how is the return/refund rate at your business?

A recent survey points out that annual merchandise returns amount to over $219 billion a year of which almost $12 billion is fraudulent.  This category of retail loss is significant.

Why has this category of retail loss continued to increase?

From the standpoint of the thief, receiving full value of the goods is much better than fencing merchandise for pennies on the dollar, or trying to sell it on the brown market for less than retail, and there are so many creative ways to return stolen merchandise to a store: using duplicate or phony receipts; actual receipts accompanying stolen merchandise; and buying merchandise from a discount retailer and returning to a full service store, among others.

Stolen merchandise result from the actions by shoplifters, internal theft, or sweethearting, collusion between an employee and a customer or vendor.  The ability to prevent shoplifting will reduce this area of loss considerably.

It is twice as painful for a retailer to pay full retail for his own merchandise that he can get wholesale from his vendor.

To become a harder target in this area of retail loss while maintaining excellent customer relations is a delicate balancing act faced by retailers every day.  Not taking merchandise back, or refusing to make refunds is a quick way to alienate legitimate customers.

For assistance in reducing vulnerability to return fraud and to prevent shoplifting in Atlanta Georgia, call the experts at Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. at 1-770-426-0547 or click here for more information.

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Employee Theft – Atlanta Georgia

April 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment

In a study done over half a decade ago it had been estimated that employee theft costs U.S. companies 17.6 billion dollars a year. This figure sent the industry into an uproar and it was widely accepted that dishonest employees posed the most significant threat to a company’s profitability. This was before our current economic state; before widespread unemployment and $4.00/ gallon at the pumps for gasoline, so where do you think we’re at today?

Employee theft is at an all-time high and shows no sign of declining. Therefore, it is the mandate of the loss prevention professionals to reduce the opportunity, desire and motivation for this type of crime. When it comes to motivation there are 3 ways to accomplish this: Prosecute, prosecute, prosecute! Showing a deep and unwavering commitment to fighting shrink by holding the culprits responsible and prosecuting thieves at all levels (whether shoplifters, internal thieves, etc.) to the fullest extent of the law sends a message to everyone in the organization. That message? There will be no slaps on the wrists. If caught stealing you WILL be terminated and you WILL go to jail, no exceptions.

Audit all of your processes, especially receiving and cash handling, frequently. Use both announced and unannounced checks. This has a tendency of keeping everyone on their toes. Not only will they see that the opportunity to steal isn’t there, but you will also find that your business runs smoother because everyone is doing exactly what they should be doing at all times because there’s no telling when or where the boss may pop up. The desire to steal is inherent in certain individuals. These people will always seek out ways to beat the system. The best way to get rid of these people is not to hire them in the first place, which is why a comprehensive pre-employment screening is vital to preventing employee theft.

For more information contact us at Employee Theft or call 1.770.426.0547

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Ruin a shoplifter’s day with clothing security

April 19, 2011 by

Hello, my name is Shoplifter.  I enjoy stealing clothing.  It is easy to steal, easy to conceal.  When there is no clothing security, all I have to do is fold it up, slip it into my purse, and walk out of the store.  It is sooooo easy.  Sometimes I steal clothing I want, or sometimes I steal for friends.  Sometimes, I even steal to resell the clothing online.  Why pay for what I can get for free?

When I scope out a store, I look for clothing security.  Security tags on clothes are no fun!  The last thing I want to do is steal and then have to fight to get the clothing security tags off.  Worse yet, I do not want to steal and then have a clothing alarm go off, telling the store employees that I am stealing.  Forget that, I will just go elsewhere to do my shoplifting.

Shoplifters do not come into your businesses and introduce themselves, so businesses have to be proactive about their security measures.  If you own or manage a business that sells clothing, you understand that they are extremely high theft items.  Clothing security options are available so that you do not have to be victim to customers that choose to steal from you.

Clothing security tags are placed on clothing to offer a visual deterrent to the potential shoplifter.  Also, if they get to close to your exits, they will sound an alarm, alerting store employees to the possible theft.  Security tags on clothes are removed by your store employees when the items are purchased, and they are able to be reused.

When shoplifters see security tags on clothes, they know what they are up against.  By showing the shoplifters you have clothing security, you telling them to move on to the next unprotected business.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store to purchase a clothing alarm and stop shoplifters in your store now!

For more information about clothing alarm or clothing security or clothing security tags or contact us at security tags on clothes or call 1.770.426.0547. 

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Corporate Fraud Investigation – Atlanta Georgia

April 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A corporate fraud investigation is defined as a query into the deception or breach of equitable duties inherent in a position or a relationship. Now, that’s a lot of big fancy words that simply means a person used their position within a company or relationship to an individual in order to deceitfully make a profit. We hear this term used to describe the recent Enron scandal or the WorldCom debacle and we begin to associate it in those terms. Those companies overstated their earnings by billions of dollars. For most of us it would take far less than a billion dollars to scuttle our ships. In fact, the loss of $100,000 is enough to send your average small business owner to the soup kitchens. That’s why it is especially important for them to realize that although fraud may be big business it is not limited to big businesses.

In a recent corporate fraud investigation that I played a part in, a young woman called the company I worked for, a grocery store chain, and reported that her identity had been stolen and the unknown culprit had apparently used her credit card to make 2 purchases at 2 different locations. One purchase was for $1,200 and the other was for $1,500. Now, this type of thing is fairly common in these days and times, I’m sorry to say. However, the red flag popped up in my mind with the amounts of the transactions. Seriously, when was the last time you spent $1,200 at the grocery store?

In the end it was revealed that the woman was allied with an individual who worked for the credit card company. He was able to send her very official looking, yet fraudulent, invoices with false purchases on them which she then used to get those charges reversed and the funds put back on her credit card. The last I heard they were both occupying rooms in different correctional institutions, all thanks to a successful corporate fraud investigation.

For more information contact us Corporate Fraud Investigation or call 1.770.426.0547 

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New stand alone retailers face clothing security challenges

April 17, 2011 by

The stand alone retail business really faces tough clothing security challenges. I’ve seen quite a few that have lost millions of dollars to theft as a result of poor clothing security (no security tags on clothes) and inefficient physical security.

One retail clothing chain of 5 stores had a standalone store in a tough part of the city. This store had all kinds of challenges. Multiple exits, multiple registers at only one side of the store, few associates available for customer service and no clothing security.

For retailers like these, I’ve found it imperative to the success of the business that clothing security tags are considered somewhere in the business plan. In the world of dollars and cents, a retailer trying to save dollars by not executing a clothing security tags strategy makes no sense.

Back to the standalone retailer, this store notified me each and every time they had witnessed or experienced a shoplifter. At the end of one day, I had received over 50 calls… from one store. Something dramatic had to be done to protect this store from closing forever. I made recommendations to the management and spoke with those in the position to make the decision to implement a clothing security program and put clothing security tags on much of the valuable merchandise in the store. My team and I showed the company the process for installing security tags on clothes and then merchandising the items their exact standard. Additionally, the managers were able to get hands on and experience the process of positioning the clothing security tags on the merchandise. They too agreed, the process was pretty simple and with the right management, could really benefit their business. Security tags on clothes; along with solid clothing security strategy is what this store has needed.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store for more information about a clothing alarm

For more information contact us at clothing security or call 1.770.426.0547

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Checkpoint Systems- Do’s And Don’ts

April 17, 2011 by

Here are a few tips that will help you use your Checkpoint security system and reduce the risk of false alarms.

The first bit of advice involves the placement of Checkpoint tags. When tagging your products, keep in mind that the cashiers are going to have to remove or deactivate the Checkpoint tags. If you maintain a common location for where the Checkpoint tags will be placed it will increase the efficiency at the point of sale.

Another tip is to test your Checkpoint systems regularly. I suggest keeping a tag on your manager key ring or in a wallet or purse. This way when you enter or leave you can test the system to ensure that it is working properly.

One more thing that I would recommend is to make sure that your employees have a general knowledge of how Checkpoint security systems work. In most retail applications there is a high turnover of employees. It can be easy to forget to train the new employees on what to do if the system alarms. The last thing that you want is for an employee to not know what to do between detaching the Checkpoint tags and when someone tries to leave and the system sounds.

There are a couple things that you do not want to do with your Checkpoint systems. Your system is designed to detect tags both between the two antennas and on the outside of the antennas.  You will want to make sure that you do not place any merchandise within about three to four feet of the antennas. This can cause false alarm issues as well as reduce the sensitivity of the detection field.

Also, be mindful of other items that you might place near your Checkpoint security systems. Because the system creates a radio frequency field items such as Christmas tree lights, extension cords or anything that creates a metal coil could be a potential false alarm issue.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store

For more information on Checkpoint security systems, Checkpoint tags or Checkpoint systems, contact us at Loss Prevention Systems, Inc.

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