The Key to an Employee Theft Investigation – Atlanta Georgia

Simply put, the key to a proper employee theft investigation is listening. I know, it seems like common sense right? Well the one thing I’ve learned in the 10 plus years I’ve been in this business is that common sense isn’t all that common. When it comes to uncovering the perpetrator of an internal crime, the best sources of information are often the people who work together and see one another day after day in all types of situations. They know what constitutes “normal” behavior in co-workers and can spot abnormal behavior within minutes. You, the investigator, will probably not have that perspective.

In any employee theft investigation the most important step is to make the employees understand why revealing the information is good for them. Coercing employees to tell what they do not want to tell only works on the television cop shows. All investigators will eventually learn that it’s the innocent suspects who are most eager to see the case solved. Nobody likes the specter of doubt hanging over their head, especially when they’ve done nothing wrong. So logically, they should bend over backward to tell the investigator everything they can about who might have committed the theft right? Wrong. There are several reasons why they don’t.

News, especially bad news, travels fast within any organization and nobody wants to be labeled as a “snitch” or a “rat”. Therefore the investigator must convince the individual that they’re actually doing a service to their fellow employees by divulging the information. Even if the other employees don’t realize it they are biting the bullet and in fact being a hero by telling what they know or suspect. For this to be effective the investigator has to also believe it. Anyone who feels like they’re being conned will clam up immediately. Keep the lines of communication open and you will simplify your employee theft investigation .

For more information about employee theft, corporate fraud investigation or internal theft contact us at employee theft investigation or call 1.770.426.0547