Employee theft by “hook-ups” is popular in Atlanta Georgia.

There are many ways that retailers can incur internal theft (also known as employee theft).  A popular way for internal theft to occur is by “hook-ups” or what we often call “sweet-hearting”.  As I have worked 12 years in Loss Prevention I have encountered numerous instances of this type of employee theft.

We all like to think about peer pressure being kids and drinking.  The reality is that we can all be susceptible to peer pressure.  Through conducting an employee theft investigation I talk to many associates who would never have dreamed of stealing had it not been for someone else.  That someone else can be another employee, a friend or a family member.  Sometimes that other person can be just a regular customer.  One of the warning signs to internal theft by sweet-hearting is employees who have a lot of friends and family members around.  If you stop and think I’m sure everyone reading this can picture an associate who seems to always be hanging out with friends while on the clock.  I would conduct an employee theft investigation on that person and look to see did all items get scanned at the register and also check to make sure the prices were not reduced.  These are prime ways to hook friends up.

Something that can be harder to spot is when the sweet-hearting happens between two employees.  Many associates develop friendships with one another.  Often this can lead to quid-pro-quo sweet-hearting.  One associate will pass off (which is bag without scanning the product) or under-ring for another associate and then later that person will return the favor.  When doing an employee theft investigation I generally look at employee purchase first.  You can find a lot of internal theft activity by just routinely reviewing employee purchases.  Sweet-hearting can be hard to catch, but it happens often so stay on high alert.

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