Uncategorized — Page 94

Basics of identifying employee theft

March 9, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Internal theft is one of the greatest challenges to any business. When a business hires someone to join their ranks they are showing faith in that person’s skills, experience, and trustworthiness. Unfortunately, despite lengthy interview processes and extensive background checks there are still individuals who choose to exploit their positions within your business to ‘earn a little extra’.

Methods of employee theft investigation vary in size, scope, and style. It can be as small as a cashier skimming a few dollars from the register every so often to a team of warehouse workers ensuring a few flat-screen TVs go ‘missing from inventory’ only to be found later in their living rooms. As far as catching such dishonest employees is concerned it takes patience, skill, and a little bit of luck.

Conducting an employee theft investigation starts with knowing where to look to look for employee theft. You may need to comb through register deposit records (over and short reports) or perform regular inventory counts (such as perpetual counts on important items). Your lead into a potential internal theft case could literally fall into your lap without you even needing to go looking for it.

Whatever the starting point of your investigation is you cannot expect immediate returns on your work like you would with a shoplifter. Employee theft investigations require an investment of time, be it from a single Loss Prevention Detective or a whole team. Even when an employee has been caught with their hand in the proverbial cookie jar it doesn’t mean it is case closed. There is the follow-up, the interrogation, which may lead to the admission of a larger theft or even the implication of others within the workforce.

One other thing to consider when it comes to employee theft investigations; don’t keep anyone in your workforce from being scrutinized. More often than not it’s the ones whom you trust the most that are the biggest internal threats.

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: employee theft, employee theft investigation, internal theft

Stacking the Odds in Your Favor

March 9, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

When it comes to trying to stop shoplifting in your stores, every little bit helps. When you look at items like Checkpoint labels, it’s easy to maximize your investment potential. Checkpoint labels come in a multitude of options. Each RF security label is geared toward maximum protection for very individual scenarios.

One of the universally nice things about RF security labels, are the ability to be used discreetly as a prevention tactic to stop shoplifting. Unlike Checkpoint security tags, RF security labels can be, and are often meant to be hidden.

Take, for example, expensive combo packages of printer ink. Each cardboard box can contain three to four separate ink cartridges. Most shoplifters who target this item may suspect that there is some sort of RF label on the packaging. They may try to take the cartridges out, and discard the empty package somewhere in the store.

If you only have one RF Label on the package, you may be defeated at this point. If you take a more proactive approach and put a separate RF label on each ink cartridge inside of the package, you can potentially change the out come.

If a shoplifter now has four or five different RF labels to discard, they run an even bigger risk of being detected prior to escaping with their loot. No shoplifter wants to be caught, and will more than likely give up instead of stealing that safely guarded item.

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, RF label, RF labels, RF security labels, RF security tags, stop shoplifting

Jewel Lok is a must for spring season.

March 9, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

We are at that time of year that I usually find an increase in jewelry shopping at my store. All the new spring dresses and outfits require the matching accessories. In addition, the warm weather change is more inviting to jewelry as short sleeves and open cut tops are better for showing off bracelets, necklaces, etc. With that said, it is also a hard time to control the inventory. We all know that quality accessories are expensive. Many consumers want the product, but don’t want to pay the price. I have found the Jewel Lok by Alpha to be a great help in my efforts to prevent shoplifting.

Alpha security makes a revolutionary line of retail anti theft devices. Alpha offers many different retail anti theft devices that are made for specific products. Finally a company that does not employee a one size fits all approach to prevent shoplifting. The Jewel Lok comes in several different options. You can get Jewel Lok devices that will fit on stud earrings, loop earrings and other loose jewelry (such as bracelets, necklaces, watches, etc.). There are two main benefits to these retail anti theft devices. The first is that these locks physically attach to the product and cannot be easily removed like a soft EAS label. There is much more security here. The second benefit is they still provide open showing. We lose a lot of sales when we lock product inside cases. Many customers don’t like waiting on an employee just to see a product. You can still openly display these products, but rest easy knowing they are protected.

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Jewel Lok, Prevent Shoplifting, Retail Anti Theft Devices

We can’t always be perfect…

March 9, 2012 by Staff Editor

Although we wish our LP careers were perfect we all have moments when we just get beat. Today was one of those days for me.

I was alone in my office and dealing with half a dozen other problems when it happened. While listening to the droning monotone of a liability investigator on the other end of the office phone I kept myself busy by scanning through cameras on the call-up monitor closest to me. At the fifteen minute mark of my conversation I noticed a man who looked completely out of place in the store’s children’s clothing department. Given his appearance and his unnaturally stuffed shopping bag through which I could see security tags on clothes, my attention shifted from dealing with the accident aftermath to observing the man much more closely.

Less than sixty seconds later I hung up on the liability investigator. The man had selected three pairs of children’s jeans and a child’s printed sweatshirt and rapidly moved away from the department towards the nearby housewares area. As soon as I paged for a store manager to dial my office extension the man took off down to the first floor in a jog. I radioed mall security with his description and called local law enforcement as I ran out my office and could hear the Checkpoint tags set off the clothing alarm as the man crossed the threshold into the mall and went into a full sprint. Other LP units in the mall had eyes on him even as he started ripping clothing security tags off the stolen merchandise as he ran, but somehow he not only made it to his vehicle, he also managed to elude police and avoid being identified. Even with obvious clothing security in place, it only took a two minute grab and dash job to undo it all.

We can’t always be perfect.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase a clothing alarm, Checkpoint tags, security tags on clothes or clothing security tags for your clothing security system.

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Checkpoint tags, clothing alarm, Clothing Security, clothing security tags, security tags on clothes

Employee Background Checks Program

March 9, 2012 by Staff Editor

Background checks are important, but they should never be the only tool you use to determine if a candidate is a good fit for your business. Comprehensive pre employment screening should include many aspects beyond just sending their information into a background check company. Criminal background checks, drug testing, reference checks, and an extensive interview process should all play a part in your pre employment screening. When you use a vast array of screening tools you will be able to find the best candidates to fit your needs that will be loyal and work hard for your company.

Criminal background checks will allow you to identify potential employees that have been convicted of a crime. From those results you can decide if the candidate is someone you wish to pursue or if you will decide to look elsewhere. This should not be where the screening stops. Where background checks won’t help you is if the person is committing crimes and not getting caught. This is when the other steps come into play. Drug testing can help you to identify if the possible employee is involved in any illegal drug activity. Reference employee background checks will allow you to discover if the person is lying about their previous experience and will hopefully help you to get a good idea of the person’s character. The key here is asking the right questions of the right people. If the reference person that the potential employee gave you seems to be giving staged or fake answers, call back and ask to speak to another manager.

Lastly, the thing you can always count on is the interview process. Make this meeting count. Be sure to research the right questions to ask and how to effectively interview. Open ended questions can be your best friend; you would be surprised how much someone will open up with just a little probing. Using a background check company can tell you a lot about a potential employee, but it takes a lot more to make sure you are hiring the right people.

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: background check company, Background checks, criminal background check, employee background checks, pre employment screening

Is employee theft of cash ruining your profits?

March 7, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

There are many things that employees can steal, but the most sought after item is cash. Unlike merchandise, it can be used anywhere. Cash is often the easiest item to steal. It does not have sensor tags applied, it is small and employees handle it all day. So how is internal theft of cash happening at your business and what are you doing to stop it?

There are several ways that employee theft of cash can occur and there are various things to consider when conducting an employee theft investigation into these losses. The most basic is taking money directly from the drawer. You will notice the effects of this internal theft the next day when your accounting department shows missing money from the drawer. When you conduct your employee theft investigation I suggest starting with reviewing “No Sale” functions. Generally speaking, most associates do not take cash during an actual transaction as there are witnesses (i.e. the customer) present. Instead, many will wait until no one is around, conduct a “No Sale” function and then pocket the cash. They think the absence of witnesses helps them get away with it, but in reality it is usually easy to pinpoint.

Another way is by conducting voids. This is much harder to catch, but possible. In this employee theft scam the associate will void a transaction and take the cash. Since the register thinks the sale did not happen then it will not show short since the cash “should not have been there” according to the register. Again, routinely look for associates conducting a lot of voids followed by “No Sales”. Since they voided the transaction the cashier has to use the “No Sale” function to open the drawer and make change for the customer. You can also just pull random voids and review the video to see if the merchandise, in fact, stays in the store or does the customer take it. If the customer takes it then the cashier is stealing from you.

There is no easy solution to internal theft, but a quality employee theft investigation will help eliminate a problem and prevent future loss.

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: employee theft, employee theft investigation, internal theft

Frequency

March 7, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

Checkpoint security tags come in many forms giving you the ability to choose what is best for your business. What is sometimes overlooked is what you can do with the RF security tags once you choose your best option.

Some RF security tags can be set at varying frequencies allowing you to change what happens when a particularly frequency passes a certain point or antenna. We have set our antennas to detect two separate frequencies. When one RF label frequency is passed by the antennas at the exit they flash red, and a slow beeping noise is emitted. This is used for the majority of our merchandise. However, when our second RF label frequency passes through the antennas they flash blue, and a faster beeping noise is emitted. This frequency is used for our jewelry merchandise.

Adjusting the frequency for particular items can be very helpful to identifying what types of merchandise are being stolen and ultimately stop shoplifting. By using a separate frequency for small expensive items such as jewelry, you can identify potential shoplifters to keep your eye out for in the future. You can identify subjects who may be purchasing some less expensive items and conceal other higher dollar merchandise in order to use the merchandise they purchase as an excuse to set off the alarm. If you are having major issues with the theft of a very specific item you can tag that item with different frequency RF labels and identify when that item is leaving your store. The options and uses of checkpoint labels are endless.

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Checkpoint labels, Checkpoint security tags, RF label, RF labels, RF security labels, RF security tags, stop shoplifting

Reactionary Protection

March 7, 2012 by Staff Editor Leave a Comment

We don’t always know what items are going to be the next hot theft item or what merchandise we are going to need to focus on to prevent shoplifting next. Sometimes it takes a few losses to realize how desirable something has become to a shoplifter. The best that we can do before theft becomes noticeable is to protect our most expensive merchandise with a Spider Wrap, Jewel Lok, Shark Tag, or one of the many other retail anti theft devices that are available on the market.

When deciding what to spider wrap after assessing price points, my typical strategy is to focus on things that are easy to steal and easy to sell. Any high dollar item with packaging that has a handle shoots straight to the top of my spider wrap priority list. High dollar small or easy to conceal items are typically first on my spider wrap list as well. Sometimes browsing local resale shops or online resale websites can help to identify what merchandise is being targeted.

When determining what merchandise to shark tag, I will typically tag merchandise seasonally or as I am noticing trends in used merchandise returns on specific types of merchandise. The most common time that we utilize a shark tag is during school dance seasons such as prom or homecoming. Affixing a shark tag to all high dollar dresses helps to prevent people from purchasing and using the item for their big event and then returning afterward. We will also use a shark tag on our leather coats to prevent seasonal wearers who purchase an expensive coat at the beginning of the season and return it once the cold season is over.

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Jewel Lok, Prevent Shoplifting, Retail Anti Theft Devices, Shark Tag, Spider Wrap

Organized Retail Crime and clothing security tags

March 7, 2012 by Staff Editor

Today my store was the victim of the perfidious workings of an organized retail crime group. They bypassed everything from the clothing alarm to the Checkpoint tags as though they weren’t even in place. In spite of their ability to surpass our clothing security measures, they failed in the end due a foolish oversight on their part (and perhaps a small amount of carelessness/arrogance).

Less than ten minutes after the first group of women had escaped to their vehicle and fled the mall’s property (without anyone able to spot a license plate unfortunately) our office received a phone call about a man attempting to return almost three hundred dollars of clothing product on the second floor, without a receipt.

Some of the pieces still had clothing security tags on them. Under our advisement, and a second from management, the return was denied and the man left in a hurry through the third floor where I was waiting to follow on foot. Sure enough, after tailing him along the outside of the mall for almost three minutes, I found him getting into a car that contained the three women who had stolen the clothing only moments prior. I managed a walk-by that allowed me to call in the license plate number and a full description of the car to the local police.

Clothing security isn’t always such a task, with the foot pursuits and police intervention, but it seems to be becoming more and more common an occurrence these days. Despite the fact that the Checkpoint tags and clothing alarms were defeated so effortlessly by them, the tools did provide us with the time and means to identify a rather experienced organized crime group.

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Checkpoint tags, clothing alarm, Clothing Security, clothing security tags, security tags on clothes

Background Checks: Good Intentions Or Good Strategy?

March 7, 2012 by Staff Editor

Unfortunately even companies with good intentions about having a successful pre employment screening strategy fall short due to not hiring a qualified background check company. They muddle about and conduct random criminal background checks which when not guided by background check experts usually does not encompass the correct areas where crimes may have been committed. Ultimately this leads to a false sense of security that can have devastating results. Another thing companies overlook is the employee background check, they figure a couple phone calls to companies written on a job application will suffice. This again will be a potentially costly mistake. Background check experts know exactly how to conduct an in depth employee background check which requires a significant amount of research. A good background check company will also be able to verify an employee’s education history as well as job and personal references.

Companies that do utilize a reputable background check company have access to background check experts that have worked in and around every type of business under the sun. The right background check expert is matched to a company and a pre employment screening strategy is custom made to fit the business like a glove. This process usually involves the human resource, loss prevention and legal departments. Once the company’s policy and procedures have been reviewed in detail then the strategy can be implemented. A potential employee will fill out a very detailed job application, a release form for background checks and provide a complete resume. The potential employee will then go through a multi level interview process conducted by different executives at each level. Then the employee will answer any and all questions that have arisen as a result of the completed background checks. Any hits at this point from a criminal background check that had not been addressed in the initial job application will effectively disqualify the applicant from procuring a position at the company in question.

It takes an investment of time to find the right background check company and formulate an all encompassing hiring process that protects your company, however but in the end it will guard your company from losses caused by bad employees. A company has the right to protect its employees and its profits and it starts with screening potential employees.

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

Ensuring your company is conducting background checks is a good first step, however, it is important that your company conducts the correct level of criminal background checks and employee background checks. This is all a part of having a successful pre employment screening process. The background check experts all agree that one of the best ways to deter a potential thief from working with a company is a rigorous pre employment screening process that includes multiple interviews and pointed questions regarding employment and education history.Unfortunately even companies with good intentions about having a successful pre employment screening strategy fall short due to not hiring a qualified background check company. They muddle about and conduct random criminal background checks which when not guided by background check experts usually does not encompass the correct areas where crimes may have been committed. Ultimately this leads to a false sense of security that can have devastating results. Another thing companies overlook is the employee background check, they figure a couple phone calls to companies written on a job application will suffice. This again will be a potentially costly mistake. Background check experts know exactly how to conduct an in depth employee background check which requires a significant amount of research. A good background check company will also be able to verify an employee’s education history as well as job and personal references.

It takes an investment of time to find the right background check company and formulate an all encompassing hiring process that protects your company, however but in the end it will guard your company from losses caused by bad employees.A company has the right to protect its employees and its profits and it starts with screening potential employees.

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: background check company, Background checks, criminal background check, employee background checks, pre employment screening