These are desperate times and with desperate times come desperate measures as a great man once said.  However that phrase doesn’t always apply in a positive manner.  Shoplifters, specifically the ones who are new to ‘the game’ are becoming more desperate in their methods and behaviors.  This of course makes clothing security a more dangerous game for those of us in the Loss Prevention field.

The other day we had a pair of women on camera that gathered a large bundle of clothing and then proceeded to cut off the clothing security tags using tin snips and a fish gutting knife.  They moved in such erratic and nervous patterns that my team knew right away that police intervention would be needed.  When the women had stashed their stolen goods in their bags and dumped the clothing security tags all over the floor they made for the store entrance where they were greeted by one of my teammates and three members of the local police department.

Neither woman went without putting up a fight.

In the end they were cuffed and taken away for shoplifting, resisting arrest, and attempted assault of a police officer with a deadly weapon.  Lucky for them no one suffered any injuries, but still, it could’ve been a much bloodier ordeal.  As things become more and more hopeless I am certain we will hear more stories with much more tragic endings.

But of course when things get bad it’s us, the people in loss prevention that see some of the worst of it.  As I said before, clothing security is becoming a dangerous game.  All we can do is keep our heads and not do anything stupid.

 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

I was involved in a case recently regarding a high dollar theft of jeans. Two males had come into the store. They both went behind an unopened cash wrap and picked up some empty shopping bags. They then made a beeline toward our new display of high dollar jeans.  They each took half of the stack and headed to the fitting rooms.

Our fitting rooms are supposed to be locked, but I guess that the associate had forgotten to lock them up after the last customers had used them. So now our thieves had about fifteen pairs of jeans (each), empty store bags, and open – unattended fitting rooms. Well, you can put two and two together to figure out what happened next. The two emerged from the fitting rooms with now full shopping bags.   Off they went to the exit doors to make their grand escape. We were there waiting for them as they exited.

During the interview with the subjects they told us how easy it was to steal because no one was paying attention. And they, for the most part were right. There were several breakdowns to our clothing security. This is the sort of incident I use to train my store associates on the importance of clothing security. It’s not just about having clothing security tags, it’s about being watchful of your surroundings.

While the store may not have been paying attention, we sure were. We watched the pair blatantly go behind the counter and laugh as they scooped up the jeans and headed toward the fitting room. We tell the associates these are the red flags to watch for.  It makes them feel more empowered about what they can and can’t do. I know that next time, the clothing alarm and me won’t be the only ones watching for shoplifters.

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

While employed as an agent for a department store, one issue that we never stopped confronting was fitting room theft. It might be assumed that the amount of shoplifting that occurs in this location would probably be similar, if not equal, to the restroom because both places offer privacy. However, carrying an armful of clothing into a designated area for trying on apparel isn’t devious at all, whereas smuggling merchandise into a lavatory should raise some red flags.

The corporation I worked for expected fitting room attendants to count the merchandise going into the room and coming out and verifying that there were security tags on clothes. In reality, this is not the way the system operated. I found myself going over the procedures with these associates almost weekly. The reason why the salespeople weren’t following these guidelines was not because they didn’t care, but their focus was on their own department, sorting merchandise, and running racks back to the floor.

Shoplifters are normally prepared for a store’s fitting room procedures and have an arsenal of techniques to thwart clothing security efforts. Even if an attendant is diligently counting merchandise in and out, they may have apparel double-hung on one hanger, have items hidden inside other items, or “swap-out” their old clothing for a new article without causing a clothing alarm. So how can retailers reduce their vulnerability to fitting room theft and beef up their store’s clothing security when thieves are continuously improving the way they steal?

The best and most-widely used solution for fitting room pilferage is the application of clothing security tags or security tags on clothes. Depending on a store’s needs, they’re available in an array of sizes, shapes, and styles. In the security industry, Checkpoint tags are unsurpassed for good reason: for over forty years they have worked with retailers to provide innovative and technologically-advanced solutions to address theft. Even if a customer going into the fitting room looks suspicious, retailers can be confident that Checkpoint tags won’t let their merchandise disappear in there.

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