What Does a Clothing Alarm Really Say?

March 12, 2011 by

The presence of a clothing alarm says the owner of the business is serious about clothing security and keeping prices low for his customers.

Clothing merchandisers know that losing goods to shoplifters is a major expense that comes directly from the bottom line.  To protect property from thieves using retail anti theft devices such as those by Checkpoint Security Systems, sends a message shoplifters are not welcome in the establishment.

Shoplifters of all kinds know and avoid stores that have the Checkpoint Systems antennas standing at the door and the “Protected by Checkpoint Security Systems” warning and logo visible at the customer entry.

The clothing alarm says to the professional shoplifter, “You’re going to have to work too hard to steal merchandise here.  Better go to an easier store.”

To the amateur shoplifter, clothing security says, “Too much chance of getting caught in this store.  You might want to reconsider stealing from this store”

Security tags on clothes remind the impulse shoplifter, “Think again before you put that item in your bag.  You may have some explaining to do.”

The clothing alarm says, “This store cares enough about me to keep shoplifters out so I don’t have to pay for their crimes,” to legitimate customers.

And of course the Checkpoint Security System says, “Someone is leaving with merchandise they haven’t bought!” as the shoplifter passes through it with stolen merchandise.

Send and receive the right message by using a clothing alarm system.

Interested in a clothing alarm?  Call 770-426-0547 or click here for more information.  Visit our Online Retail Loss Prevention Store here.

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Solutions to Prevent Shoplifting That Work

March 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment

There are only a few  ways to prevent shoplifting that not only work well but are also cost effective.  It is important to clearly understand the issue you are experiencing so that money isn’t spent “winging it” or based on a guessing game.

One of the most popular “winging it” solutions smaller retailers use is the installation of a camera system. This is believed to be a deterrent but in many cases this is not true.  There are three types of shoplifters: Impulsive, Amateur, and the Professional.  The impulsive shoplifter may be deterred by the installation of a CCTV/ camera system because they believe you may be watching them; however, amateur and professional shoplifters realize that you are not staring at a CCTV monitor 24 hours a day and they don’t care if they are recorded on video that will be viewed long after they are gone. A CCTV system is used by larger retailers for liability defense more than anything else in cases such as evidence in a slip and fall lawsuit. 

Some retailers may believe their burglar (or security) alarm is an  solution to prevent shoplifting.  This is  designed to protect the premises when the store is unoccupied and subject to burglary.  Shoplifting occurs during business hours and the burglar alarm is turned off.

Most major retailers use an EAS – Electronic Article Surveillance – system to prevent shoplifting.  Checkpoint Security Systems offers the most technologically advanced EAS system, using RF (radio frequency) detection vs. the older technology of AM (acousto-magnetic.)

These systems employ pedestal antennas at entry/exit points that will detect protected merchandise when approaching the unit.  This is an active system that alarms when the event is occurring. The cost is generally far less than a comprehensive CCTV system and the solution will deter theft at the rate of a proven 50% to 70% immediately.

Call 770-426-0547 or click here to help prevent shoplifting. Visit our Retail Loss Prevention Store here.

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Signs of Employee Theft – Atlanta Georgia

March 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment

It is estimated that 1 in 3 workers commits employee theft, and often they do it repeatedly. It is obviously important to determine who that 1 person is without alienating the other 2 potentially good and honest workers. There is, of course, no sure fire method of detecting a thief prior to the crime. There are, however, a number of warning signs that you’d be wise to look for. Be aware of employees who begin making large purchases or change their spending habits drastically. If they were trying to scrape up lunch money last week and they’re buying a big screen TV today you should start paying attention.

Some people who are planning employee theft will begin to find reasons to work unsupervised. They’ll come in early or volunteer to stay late to ‘finish a project’. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re stealing, but it is something to keep an eye on. Anyone with excessive absences is also a red flag. They may have a drinking or drug problem, this is always bad news for an employer. Even if it’s nothing that sinister, maybe just a prolonged sickness. Well, with doctor visits come doctor bills and they may be now looking for a quick and easy solution to paying those off.

Many employee theft cases involve outside partners. Be aware of anyone who has a lot of family and friends visiting them at work, especially if they insist on going through a certain person’s register. Sure, they may just have a great personality that people want to be around, or it may be something else. Any strange cars parked behind the building or near the dumpsters should also be noted. There are many different ways to spot a crook. These are just a few warning signs that can put you ahead of the curve when it comes to battling employee theft.

For more information about corporate fraud investigation or corporate fraud investigator or employee theft investigation or internal theft or white collar crime contact us at Employee Theft or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Clothing Security Tags Protect the Necessities

March 10, 2011 by

Clothes are necessities for everyone and clothing security tags protect the fashion or read-to-wear retailer from supplying these necessary items at no cost to the wearer.

Clothing is available at price points that are very economical all the way up to very expensive for quality designer fashion.  There are always some shoppers who are going to try to upgrade at the retailers expense by shoplifting the merchandise.

Fortunately for the retailer, there is an excellent and economical way to prevent the theft of clothing by deterring and preventing theft through the use of clothing security and a clothing alarm.

An electronic article surveillance (EAS) system from Checkpoint Security Systems increases the risk of detection for thieves by making inventory virtually scream, “I’m being stolen!” as it leaves the store.  Shoplifters realize that the threat of being detected and possibly prosecuted is too great in a store that uses any of the retail anti theft devices provided by Checkpoint Security Systems.  Then a potential shoplifter becomes a customer and purchases clothing that is within his shopping budget.

Many merchants see the use of a device from Checkpoint Security Systems as a simple choice: Protect merchandise with clothing security tags or take the chance of losing goods to shoplifters.  The chances of a shoplifter visiting a protected store is far less than choosing a store with minimal risk of being caught or detected.

Everybody has to wear clothes.  Be sure that they won’t be wearing “free” clothes stolen from your store by using security tags on clothes for protection.

Learn more about clothing security tags here: Checkpoint tags, or call 770-426-0547.  Take a look at our Online Retail Loss Prevention Store here.

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Prevent Shoplifting and Promote Nudity

March 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

One retailer’s efforts to prevent shoplifting recently kept a man in New Jersey from running down the road naked, according to the Associated Press.   [Read the article here…]

The 58-year-old man was caught with $43.00 worth of merchandise including a USB card, two spoons, a nutcracker, decorative tree, and T-shirts, a highly diverse selection of merchandise to be sure.

When asked why he stole the items, he explained that he had lost a bet and could pay the debt either by shoplifting or running naked down the street.  He remarked that he should have taken of his clothes and gone into the street because the fine for nudity was less that the penalty for shoplifting.

I personally have heard some crazy excuses given by shoplifters, but this is one that’s new.  (I have heard the “lost a bet” excuse, however.)

I’m sure the store is happy that he didn’t shoplift naked, although the thief would have had nowhere to hide his loot.

This is a case of a person who entered the store with the intention of stealing from the retailer, who obviously thought his chances of being detected were small.  He also had a chance to be very careful, since merchandise choice didn’t seem to be a decision factor. 

Retailers, in order to prevent shoplifting, set up all types of barriers to make it more difficult to get to the objects (locking displays, cables) or increase the risk of detection to such a degree that the shoplifters avoid the store (CCTV, loss prevention agents, theft detection technology.)

Checkpoint Security Systems is a viable anti shoplifting tool for many retailers that have taken a positive step to stop shoplifting.  The presence of a Checkpoint System at the entrance and the use of Checkpoint tags and Checkpoint labels on merchandise are the only deterrent needed to send most shoplifters to another store to settle their bets.  Most shoplifters recognize Checkpoint Systems, Checkpoint tags, and Checkpoint labels, and avoid those retailers who use them.  Those who decide they can beat the systems soon find themselves approached by a staff member responding to an audible alarm as the merchandise passes by the Checkpoint System.

It is less entertaining to prevent shoplifting than to have a naked guy run down the street, but it is a lot better for business.

Call 770-426-0547 to speak with a knowledgeable loss prevention agent or click here for more information.  Please be sure and visit our Online Retail Loss Prevention Store.

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Securing clothing through proactive solutions

March 9, 2011 by

Clothing Security has always been a challenge in the world of the softlines retailer.

How do we keep the merchandise in stores safe but at the same time make the merchandise shoppable. There was no easy way to provide clothing security to stores. Some stores chained merchandise to the display rack or limited merchandise on the salesfloor. These methods at times proved very effective at preventing theft, but also prevented an even more important aspect, sales.

Clothing security, thankfully, has become much less difficult in the past years. Now, don’t get me wrong, clothing security is still a challenge and as long as merchandise exists for sales, thieves will steal (or at least try to).

As you visit different stores and look at the clothing security, pay closer attention to security tags on clothes. This type of defense is very common with department stores and specialty clothing retailers. Why? Because it is very effective in deterring shoplift activity. Security tags on clothes provide an obvious presence and discourage the non-professionals immediately.

As a former loss prevention agent, my job included monitoring the security tags on clothes program. Daily, I went around the store to hot merchandise and ensured each item followed the security tags on clothes program to the “T”. I knew as long as the merchandise had clothing security tags, I would not have to pay as much attention, and could focus my efforts in more lacking departments.

Clothing security tags are relatively easy to install and take no more time than stocking the merchandise on the salesfloor. However, the payoff for using clothing security tags properly can be huge.

Loss Prevention has always encouraged retailers to utilize security tags on clothes, and many retailers have taken the advice passionately. There are still some out there that are on their own program, but for how long?

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

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A New Form of Internal Theft – Atlanta Georgia

March 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Just this past week I was introduced to a new form of internal theft. This particular kind involves 2 people: the employee, of course, and a customer/ counterfeiter. That’s right. We all know counterfeiting exists and just about any retailer with good sense has invested in a continuous supply of counterfeit detector pens by now. What happens when one slips through the cracks though? We don’t normally prosecute the cashier who accepted the counterfeit bill, do we? No. Even in the most extreme cases that employee is usually reprimanded or written up and they return to work immediately.

I was recently made aware of a counterfeit $20 bill that was taken at one of my stores. No biggie, right? However, it is routine to review the footage to try to determine where the bill came from so I did just that. Turns out that the cashier that accepted the bill was one that I have had my eye on for some time. This prompted me to probe deeper into the incident. I found that the bill had been passed to the cashier by someone known to be an associate of hers. She never used the counterfeit detector pen or even held the bill to the light to check for the magnetic strip. This alone only proved negligence, not internal theft.

The negligence, however, gave me a reason to talk to her. In the subsequent interview the cashier admitted to knowingly accepting the counterfeit bill. She believed that since she did not manufacture or pass the bill that she was not guilty of a crime. The authorities saw it differently and she is now in a jail cell awaiting prosecution. Be aware, crooks are going to new extremes to commit crimes these days and they may use some of your less intelligent employees to help them do so. Make no mistake, knowingly accepting a counterfeit bill is a form of internal theft.

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

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Employee Theft Investigation – Atlanta Georgia

March 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment

I’m often called upon to train new hires in this field on how to conduct an employee theft investigation. One of the first pieces of “off the record” advice I usually give is this: keep your distance. No matter how professional we are we all have feelings. No matter how strong your convictions are about right and wrong there is always the possibility of compromise, or worse, the assumption of impropriety.

Way back when I first started in this line of work I made fast friends with a cashier in the store I was assigned. We went to lunch together, had deep personal conversations, the works. One day one of the other detectives observed her slipping some extra merchandise in the bag for a family member. We began an employee theft investigation and I called her in for an interview. She confessed immediately. She cried, I cried, we all cried. It was a blubber-fest. In the end I recommended the termination of my very good friend and felt like a heel for months afterwards.

In another example, I had developed a friendship with an older gentleman; a war vet. (I love the stories the old veterans tell) Time passed and it became obvious that he was committing fraudulent returns and pocketing the money. Again I began an employee theft investigation, but this time called in a colleague to do the interview. I was so angry because I felt he had used his relationship with me to garner favor and enable him to continue his criminal activity. Now I’m not saying that this is a hard and fast rule that you must follow, however I believe that maintaining a professional barrier will make things easier for you when conducting an employee theft investigation.

For more information contact us at Employee Theft Investigation or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Loss Prevention Investigator – Atlanta Georgia

March 8, 2011 by

 The job of the loss prevention investigator can be a complicated one. You are the main line of defense that a company has against shoplifters and dishonest employees. As such it is your responsibility to investigate shrinkage and loss, determine where they originated from and, if necessary, apprehend the individuals responsible for that loss. The job’s not over there though. You may also be called up to testify in a court of law as to the criminal activity of the person you apprehended. For this reason you must be thorough and communicate your thoughts effectively.

 Sadly enough, most people are not eager to take responsibility for their actions and accept the consequences. Therefore they enlist the services of legal council to try to find any loophole possible to get them out of trouble. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve showed up to court in my Sunday best just to have the defense attorney take one look at me and plead guilty. See, if your case is airtight (and it should always be) there last hope is if the loss prevention investigator doesn’t show up to court. The case gets thrown out and the criminal walks.

 Now if something like that happens (or you simply lose your case due to poor preparation or communication) you have a new set of problems on your hands. A defendant that has been found not guilty by a court of law can then return and attempt to sue you and your company. This is why it is so important that you always have an airtight, prosecutable case before making an apprehension, maintain good records, and have the ability to convey your thoughts calmly and professionally to a judge if necessary. These are all key to being a successful loss prevention investigator.

For more information about loss prevention agent or loss prevention consultants contact us: Loss Prevention Investigator or call 1.770.426.0547

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Security Tags on Clothes are Cause for Alarm

March 8, 2011 by

Security tags on clothes are cause for alarm, not because they are dangerous or might hurt someone, but because they will cause an audible alarm to occur when stolen merchandise passes through the field of a Checkpoint Systems antenna.

Clothing security is necessary, of course, because certain items of clothing are prime targets of shoplifters.  Whatever the latest fad is in fashion, whatever is trendy, and whatever is expensive are more often than not the items that are pilfered.  Hardly anyone steals plain white athletic socks when an almost identical pair with a cool logo is displayed nearby.  By the same token, name brands of anything tend to be stolen while the generics stay on the shelves.

My thought is that people steal clothes more for greed than need.  I know that stores that sell higher end clothing have more need for security tags on clothes and anti shoplifting devices like those developed by Checkpoint Systems than your local thrift store.  So if people could buy shirts at a thrift store for under five dollars, why steal seventy dollar shirts and risk arrest?

Apparently, some people feel it’s worth it, because expensive clothing is stolen every day.

To protect desirable and popular merchandise from thieves, retailers have turned to Checkpoint Systems for solutions to the problems caused by shoplifters.  Security tags on clothes serve the dual purpose of prevention, by warning potential shoplifters that they are likely to be detected and by the alarm itself, which alerts the staff that an item is leaving the store that hasn’t been paid for.

So which alarm is better?  The alarm that sounds when security tags on clothes pass the Checkpoint Security System, or the alarm caused by an unacceptable inventory shrink?

Get your shrink under control by calling 770-426-0547 or click here [clothing security] for more information.  Be sure and visit our Online Retail Loss Prevention Store.

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