Internal theft of cash is major concern – Atlanta Georgia

There are many ways that internal theft (or employee theft) can cut into our profits.  Employees have access to many things that shoplifters don’t.  For example, employees can access large amounts of backstock merchandise while shoplifters can only steal the small quantities we put on the shelves.  Many high dollar items are locked in cases so shoplifters can’t steal them.  Guess who has the keys?  The employees do.  We keep our cash locked tight in registers, safes and use armed guards to transport it to the bank.  But … Employees have to touch the money first.  All statistics show that employee theft is the main way retailers take losses.

One of the main things stolen from a business is its cash.  Product is great, but cash can be used anywhere and for anything.  With the economy in the pits, the need for help paying the mortgage and car note are greater than they have been in the last 50 years.  In fact, many are struggling to put food on the table.  I did a recent employee theft investigation where the person was stealing small dollar amounts each day so they could eat food from the vending machine in order to buy real food for her kids.  It was one of the many heartbreaking realities I have come across recently.

With the holidays approaching internal theft of cash becomes an even bigger concern.  For one, there is increased pressure to come up with cash to buy Christmas presents for everyone you know.  To add to that, many companies will be bringing on seasonal help so you now have more employees and you have employees who don’t have much loyalty to the company as they know their time is limited.  Remember to do an employee theft investigation as soon as you find money missing.  It may just be an error, but at this time you need to be prepared for all possibilities.

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