Ruin a shoplifter’s day with clothing security

April 19, 2011 by

Hello, my name is Shoplifter.  I enjoy stealing clothing.  It is easy to steal, easy to conceal.  When there is no clothing security, all I have to do is fold it up, slip it into my purse, and walk out of the store.  It is sooooo easy.  Sometimes I steal clothing I want, or sometimes I steal for friends.  Sometimes, I even steal to resell the clothing online.  Why pay for what I can get for free?

When I scope out a store, I look for clothing security.  Security tags on clothes are no fun!  The last thing I want to do is steal and then have to fight to get the clothing security tags off.  Worse yet, I do not want to steal and then have a clothing alarm go off, telling the store employees that I am stealing.  Forget that, I will just go elsewhere to do my shoplifting.

Shoplifters do not come into your businesses and introduce themselves, so businesses have to be proactive about their security measures.  If you own or manage a business that sells clothing, you understand that they are extremely high theft items.  Clothing security options are available so that you do not have to be victim to customers that choose to steal from you.

Clothing security tags are placed on clothing to offer a visual deterrent to the potential shoplifter.  Also, if they get to close to your exits, they will sound an alarm, alerting store employees to the possible theft.  Security tags on clothes are removed by your store employees when the items are purchased, and they are able to be reused.

When shoplifters see security tags on clothes, they know what they are up against.  By showing the shoplifters you have clothing security, you telling them to move on to the next unprotected business.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store to purchase a clothing alarm and stop shoplifters in your store now!

For more information about clothing alarm or clothing security or clothing security tags or contact us at security tags on clothes or call 1.770.426.0547. 

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Employee Theft – Atlanta Georgia

April 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment

In a study done over half a decade ago it had been estimated that employee theft costs U.S. companies 17.6 billion dollars a year. This figure sent the industry into an uproar and it was widely accepted that dishonest employees posed the most significant threat to a company’s profitability. This was before our current economic state; before widespread unemployment and $4.00/ gallon at the pumps for gasoline, so where do you think we’re at today?

Employee theft is at an all-time high and shows no sign of declining. Therefore, it is the mandate of the loss prevention professionals to reduce the opportunity, desire and motivation for this type of crime. When it comes to motivation there are 3 ways to accomplish this: Prosecute, prosecute, prosecute! Showing a deep and unwavering commitment to fighting shrink by holding the culprits responsible and prosecuting thieves at all levels (whether shoplifters, internal thieves, etc.) to the fullest extent of the law sends a message to everyone in the organization. That message? There will be no slaps on the wrists. If caught stealing you WILL be terminated and you WILL go to jail, no exceptions.

Audit all of your processes, especially receiving and cash handling, frequently. Use both announced and unannounced checks. This has a tendency of keeping everyone on their toes. Not only will they see that the opportunity to steal isn’t there, but you will also find that your business runs smoother because everyone is doing exactly what they should be doing at all times because there’s no telling when or where the boss may pop up. The desire to steal is inherent in certain individuals. These people will always seek out ways to beat the system. The best way to get rid of these people is not to hire them in the first place, which is why a comprehensive pre-employment screening is vital to preventing employee theft.

For more information contact us at Employee Theft or call 1.770.426.0547

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Keep the shoplifters away with bottle security

April 18, 2011 by

Out of all of the customers that frequent your business – how many are shoplifters?  How many are after your liquors and wines, but do not want to pay for them?

Shoplifters do not wear a sign that says “I am a shoplifter.”  A shoplifter can be anyone, and businesses that sell wine and liquor know that they are targeted just like any other business.  Instead of just letting the shoplifting run rampant, there are options such as bottle security available.

It would be nice to be able to staff a sales person on every aisle in your business in order to help prevent shoplifting, but that is just not practical or affordable.  Bottle locks, such as the EASy Bottle cap by Alpha Security, can protect your high end wines and liquors from shoplifters and customers who want to “test” your products before they purchase them.  A bottle lock fits on the end of the liquor bottle and prevents unauthorized people from opening up the bottle before it is purchased.  Once the bottle is purchased, the clerk can easily remove the bottle lock with a key.  Bottle locks can then be reused.

Liquor bottle security is a worthwhile investment for deterring shoplifters.  Shoplifters that you can’t pick out of the crowd, or don’t happen to notice trying to hide your products in their coat or inside their purse.  A bottle lock does not take away from the look of the bottle and does not allow the shoplifter to be able to get the bottle open if they were to steal the product.

Bottle security such as a bottle lock is like having those employees on every aisle, protecting the merchandise.  They go far in protecting your assets and increasing your profits, all for minimal investment.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store to see the entire line of Alpha Security products to solve your liquor bottle security problems. We carry the popular easy bottle caps.

For more information about Alpha security or bottle security or bottle locks or EASy bottle or liquor bottle security or contact us at bottle lock or call 1.770.426.0547.

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Checkpoint Systems- Do’s And Don’ts

April 17, 2011 by

Here are a few tips that will help you use your Checkpoint security system and reduce the risk of false alarms.

The first bit of advice involves the placement of Checkpoint tags. When tagging your products, keep in mind that the cashiers are going to have to remove or deactivate the Checkpoint tags. If you maintain a common location for where the Checkpoint tags will be placed it will increase the efficiency at the point of sale.

Another tip is to test your Checkpoint systems regularly. I suggest keeping a tag on your manager key ring or in a wallet or purse. This way when you enter or leave you can test the system to ensure that it is working properly.

One more thing that I would recommend is to make sure that your employees have a general knowledge of how Checkpoint security systems work. In most retail applications there is a high turnover of employees. It can be easy to forget to train the new employees on what to do if the system alarms. The last thing that you want is for an employee to not know what to do between detaching the Checkpoint tags and when someone tries to leave and the system sounds.

There are a couple things that you do not want to do with your Checkpoint systems. Your system is designed to detect tags both between the two antennas and on the outside of the antennas.  You will want to make sure that you do not place any merchandise within about three to four feet of the antennas. This can cause false alarm issues as well as reduce the sensitivity of the detection field.

Also, be mindful of other items that you might place near your Checkpoint security systems. Because the system creates a radio frequency field items such as Christmas tree lights, extension cords or anything that creates a metal coil could be a potential false alarm issue.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store

For more information on Checkpoint security systems, Checkpoint tags or Checkpoint systems, contact us at Loss Prevention Systems, Inc.

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New stand alone retailers face clothing security challenges

April 17, 2011 by

The stand alone retail business really faces tough clothing security challenges. I’ve seen quite a few that have lost millions of dollars to theft as a result of poor clothing security (no security tags on clothes) and inefficient physical security.

One retail clothing chain of 5 stores had a standalone store in a tough part of the city. This store had all kinds of challenges. Multiple exits, multiple registers at only one side of the store, few associates available for customer service and no clothing security.

For retailers like these, I’ve found it imperative to the success of the business that clothing security tags are considered somewhere in the business plan. In the world of dollars and cents, a retailer trying to save dollars by not executing a clothing security tags strategy makes no sense.

Back to the standalone retailer, this store notified me each and every time they had witnessed or experienced a shoplifter. At the end of one day, I had received over 50 calls… from one store. Something dramatic had to be done to protect this store from closing forever. I made recommendations to the management and spoke with those in the position to make the decision to implement a clothing security program and put clothing security tags on much of the valuable merchandise in the store. My team and I showed the company the process for installing security tags on clothes and then merchandising the items their exact standard. Additionally, the managers were able to get hands on and experience the process of positioning the clothing security tags on the merchandise. They too agreed, the process was pretty simple and with the right management, could really benefit their business. Security tags on clothes; along with solid clothing security strategy is what this store has needed.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store for more information about a clothing alarm

For more information contact us at clothing security or call 1.770.426.0547

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Corporate Fraud Investigation – Atlanta Georgia

April 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A corporate fraud investigation is defined as a query into the deception or breach of equitable duties inherent in a position or a relationship. Now, that’s a lot of big fancy words that simply means a person used their position within a company or relationship to an individual in order to deceitfully make a profit. We hear this term used to describe the recent Enron scandal or the WorldCom debacle and we begin to associate it in those terms. Those companies overstated their earnings by billions of dollars. For most of us it would take far less than a billion dollars to scuttle our ships. In fact, the loss of $100,000 is enough to send your average small business owner to the soup kitchens. That’s why it is especially important for them to realize that although fraud may be big business it is not limited to big businesses.

In a recent corporate fraud investigation that I played a part in, a young woman called the company I worked for, a grocery store chain, and reported that her identity had been stolen and the unknown culprit had apparently used her credit card to make 2 purchases at 2 different locations. One purchase was for $1,200 and the other was for $1,500. Now, this type of thing is fairly common in these days and times, I’m sorry to say. However, the red flag popped up in my mind with the amounts of the transactions. Seriously, when was the last time you spent $1,200 at the grocery store?

In the end it was revealed that the woman was allied with an individual who worked for the credit card company. He was able to send her very official looking, yet fraudulent, invoices with false purchases on them which she then used to get those charges reversed and the funds put back on her credit card. The last I heard they were both occupying rooms in different correctional institutions, all thanks to a successful corporate fraud investigation.

For more information contact us Corporate Fraud Investigation or call 1.770.426.0547 

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The loss prevention agent in pursuit of bottle security

April 16, 2011 by

Peeking through the one way mirror, a loss prevention agent views the liquor aisle with no bottle security. In fact, he was the bottle security. This one loss prevention agent was the bottle security for the entire liquor aisle, hundreds of bottles. None the less, he vigilantly watched and observed the merchandise, intent on protecting the company assets.

A man in a hat and sunglasses enters his liquor aisle, looking around in all directions. This man also knew there was no bottle security and was ready to take advantage. As the loss prevention agent observed, the man removed a black backpack, and placed it on the floor nearest the end of the aisle. He then walked back and forth down the aisle to ensure there was no bottle lock.

Earlier in the day, the manager discussed with others, bottle security in his store. He said, “We don’t really need any sort of bottle lock, we can manage on our own!”

The shoplifter now selects two bottles of liquor at $40 each and conceals them in his backpack. He then selects two more bottles of liquor, neither with a bottle lock. He places them in the backpack, zips it up and heads for the exit. The loss prevention approaches the customer outside of the store, identifies himself and asks for the merchandise back. The guy reaches into his backpack and hands the loss prevention one bottle, then runs off.

If this store had a bottle lock program this type of loss could have easily been prevented. Utilizing a bottle lock program along with efficient loss prevention strategy, the store manager would surely be looking at profits instead of lost merchandise. It should be the responsibility of the entire store to protect the merchandise and assets; it’s the manager’s responsibility to ensure the employees have the right tools.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store to solve your liquor bottle security issues once and for all!

For more information contact us at bottle security or call 1.770.426.0547

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Physical security of your building assisted by Checkpoint Security Systems

April 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Checkpoint security systems do more to benefit the store than what most understand. As a loss prevention professional I share the stories of success attributed to a well instituted Checkpoint Security System.

Checkpoint Security Systems have been around for years. My first experience with these advanced Checkpoint systems was at a drug store chain several years ago. Entering into the position, I quickly realized the store had no clue of what the checkpoint systems were all about. In addition to the store not knowing anything about them, I knew nothing either. I contacted out Checkpoint Security System representative and asked him to come out and give us a refresher on our Checkpoint Security System.

I invited members of management and key associates to this refresher, and focused on learning the Checkpoint systems myself. The rep. went on about the easy way the Checkpoint Security Systems operate and how the Checkpoint systems were the leaders in the industry. That was all good stuff, but what I wanted to know was how the Checkpoint Systems worked. He showed me a little square paper looking tag and called it a Checkpoint labels. He said this little Checkpoint labels could be affixed to almost any piece of merchandise we wanted to protect in the store. Checkpoint Security Systems work by recognizing the checkpoint labels as it passes through the Checkpoint Security System antennae. Ding, a bell went off. I realized I could better assist the store in protecting merchandise by ensuring their Checkpoint Security System was fully functional and being executed according to company standard.

As time went on, I learned the real life value of the Checkpoint Security systems and as the employees knowledge of the systems and checkpoint labels grew, so did the stores profits.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store to see our anti shoplifting solutions and stop shoplifting now!

For more information contact us at Checkpoint Security Systems or call 1.770.426.0547 

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Stop the family of shoplifters with clothing security

April 15, 2011 by

I wonder if shoplifting is possibly an inherited behavior, or learned?  The employees I supervise that apprehend shoplifters recently apprehended a lady that was stealing $180 worth of clothing and other merchandise.  She concealed it all easily in her purse, and later moved it to one of our sacks after purchasing a couple items at a register.  She then grabbed a few more items before casually exiting the store.

While she was being interviewed, she told us that we had also apprehended her daughter.  Sure enough, six months prior her 19 year old daughter had been caught doing the same thing.

Business owners sometimes hide their head in the sand instead of facing the reality that shoplifting is a serious problem.  Businesses that sell clothing have to be particularly in tune to managing their loss due to shoplifting.  Clothing is high theft and easy to steal.  Clothing security is a viable option for those businesses interested in protecting themselves from mothers and daughters like these.

Security tags on clothes are a visible deterrent to the potential shoplifter.  Customers can still easily try on clothes and shop your clothing racks as they can without clothing security tags.  The security tags on clothes simply offer a reminder that the customer should not even consider shoplifting that item.  Having clothing security says that the business is serious about loss prevention and protection of its assets.

It is sad, but a fact, that some people consider a family outing as going out to shoplift from businesses like yours.  If you sell clothing, invest in clothing security.  Convince the shoplifters to travel elsewhere so you are no longer their victim.

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store for more information on clothing security tags

For more information about clothing security or clothing security tags contact us at security tags on clothes or call 1.770.426.0547.

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Function of the Corporate Fraud Investigator – Atlanta Georgia

April 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Shrink can come from many different areas and often times it is the job of the Corporate Fraud Investigator to identify and eliminate that shrink. In the loss prevention field we are all aware of, and remain on the lookout for, internal theft and external loss coming from shoplifters. It is equally as important, however, that we maintain a watchful eye on our supply chain. Vendor fraud and office supply scams are on the rise. We need to be mindful of this and take steps in order to combat it.

The corporate fraud investigator needs to ensure that the business is aware of it’s’ rights. You are only required to pay for the goods and services that you actually purchased. In other words, if you ordered 500 pens from a particular company and when you received the order there are 500 pens and 200 notebooks. The corresponding invoice will undoubtedly charge you for those 200 notebooks. However, since you did not place an order for that item you are not required to pay for them. This is why it is important to keep organized records of all your orders to ensure that you’re not being overcharged by an unscrupulous vendor.

Additionally, you should assign one individual in your organization to handle the duties of ordering new supplies. This will prevent redundancy in your process and help you identify most scams and attempted fraud much easier. Be aware that mistakes do happen in all aspects of business. If the discrepancy appears as a result of a simple oversight you should do your best to correct the mistake as quickly as possible. However, if the discrepancies are repeated and no resolution reached it is time for the corporate fraud investigator to step in to resolve the matter by whatever means are necessary.

For more information contact us at Corporate Fraud Investigator or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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