The Best Way to Prevent Shoplifting

March 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Trust no one. It sounds terrible, I know, but maintaining this mindset is the best way to prevent shoplifting in your store. The kindly old lady, the doe-eyed adolescent, that fellow in the wheelchair… no one. I once caught a woman who was, shall we say, weight challenged. Therefore a few unsightly rolls in her sweat suit wouldn’t draw any abnormal attention on a normal day. On this day, however, she got sloppy and a brand new girl’s t-shirt was protruding from her beltline. Once we stopped her we discovered 2 things: 1. she was nowhere near as big as we thought. 2. it’s possible to stuff $800 worth of merchandise in a 3X sweat suit.

To prevent shoplifting you must never be lax in your observation skills. About a week ago a woman in her 50’s came into one of the grocery stores I work for. She was nice and friendly to everyone, almost interrupting the staff from their daily routine with her long conversations. She selected a few things, went to the register and paid for them. She then walked back to the pharmacy where she held a conversation with the girl behind the counter for about 20 minutes, but never filled a prescription.

On her way out she grabbed an empty shopping cart that was in one of the aisles and took it down the pet food aisle. She filled that cart to the brim with dog food and made her way to the front of the store. She even waved good-bye to a woman working behind the floral counter before pushing that cart full of unpaid merchandise directly out the door. Oh, did heads hang low when I walked her back into the building. She never lost her cool though. She remained sweet and charming to me and even to the police officer that arrested her. Trust no one. It’s not exactly a hallmark sentiment, but it is the best way to prevent shoplifting.

For more information contact us: Prevent Shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

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Preventing Employee Theft – Part II – Atlanta Georgia

March 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment

It is important to recognize that employee theft happens at all levels of business. Whether it is the cashier siphoning $5’s and $10’s from the register, the dock worker who puts a DVD player in the trash for his buddy to pick up later, or the assistant manager who has been taking $200 a week from the cash room for the last 4 years, it all adds up. Over the course of time it can add up to your company being put out of business by dishonest employees. Here are a few more steps you can take to prevent employee theft in your organization.

Develop a list of all individuals with keys to the building and what areas each person has access to. Be sure to keep this list up to date in the event of new hires, transfers, etc. You should always know who has access to your money and merchandise. Limit the amount of cash that is allowed to build up in any one cash register. Make regular and unannounced cash drops at every register. All cashbook entries should be cross-checked with a physical count of on-hand cash on a daily basis. Make sure the person doing the counts is different from the one who makes the entries.

Perform regular and frequent audits on all of your receiving processes. Ensure that employees who are responsible for doing payroll are not also responsible for said payrolls distribution. Make sure your checks and balances are done aggressively and ensure that any shortages are investigated and resolved as quickly as possible. Most employee theft is a crime of opportunity. Eliminate the opportunity and you’ll reduce the amount of crime that goes on within your four walls. Stay alert; these are just a few tips. Criminals are getting smarter and more innovative every day. You must do the same if you intend to prevent employee theft.

For more information about white collar crime or internal theft or employee theft investigation or employee theft or corporate fraud investigator or corporate fraud investigation contact us at Employee Theft or call 1.770.426.0547 Atlanta Georgia

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A step ahead of loss with clothing security

March 16, 2011 by

Want to make a quick buck?  Some people do by stealing merchandise from businesses, then trying to return the merchandise for cash.  This can be deterred by requiring a receipt for refunds, but even then some thieves will just steal what they have on a receipt already, or even create a fake receipt.

It sometimes seems that the thieves are always one step ahead – but that does not have to be case.  If your business sells clothing, clothing security is something that you need to consider in order to help reduce your losses.  Clothing is simple to steal, and it is often targeted for those seeking to make a profit by committing return fraud.

By having security tags on clothes, you can reduce the appeal of your clothing to shoplifters without reducing its appeal to your honest and paying customers.

You will not find very many shoplifters that want to risk a clothing alarm going off in order to steal your merchandise.  Also, clothing security is a visual deterrent, which once seen scares some shoplifters enough to not even want to try to steal the clothing in your business.  That’s a good situation to create. You will also find that clothing security tags begin to raise your employees awareness to shoplifting.

Your paying customers will not mind clothing security tags.  Security tags on clothes do not take away from the visual appeal of your merchandise, and your customers can still handle the clothing and try it on as they would if it was unsecured.  What clothing security does allow for is peace of mind for you, the business owner.

Investing in clothing security will make your business one step ahead of the shoplifters, instead of the other way around. Another aspect about a clothing alarm is that it will contribute to your over all security projection to criminals in general. This will help deter other crime.

Vist the Retail Loss Prevention Store

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

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Checkpoint Systems – Anti Shoplifting Answers

March 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

What anti shoplifting solution keeps shoplifters out?

Nothing will actually keep shoplifters out of any store, because no can say what a shoplifter looks like.  Could be male or female, any race, skin color or religion, old or young.  Anyone who has been in retail for any length of time knows a shoplifter story that begins, “You won’t believe who we caught shoplifting”, then goes on to describe a preacher, school principal, politician or who knows what.  The point is, anyone can be a potential shoplifter.

So the goal is to let everyone in the store, but don’t let them shoplift.  There are various degrees of deterrence that can used to discourage shoplifting activity, some more successful than others.

One of the most effective and practical anti shoplifting decisions a retailer can make is the installation of one of the retail anti theft devices developed by Checkpoint Systems.

The way it works is not magic, but it can seem like it is.

Sensors – actually pedestal antennas – are placed at the store’s entrance/exit where every customer passes through to enter or leave the store.  All the merchandise – at least the merchandise that needs protection from theft – has a Checkpoint tag or Checkpoint label attached.  The labels are deactivated and the tags are removed when the item is sold.  If the tag or label is not removed, when the label passes through the antennas’ field, the antenna picks up the radio frequency emitted by the tags and sound a local alarm as it flashed a red light.  Not disruptive, but definitely an attention getter.

The Checkpoint Systems device is extremely reliable (it never takes a day off and rarely calls in sick).  Although salespeople should always remain alert for shoplifters, Checkpoint Security Systems can take some of the pressure off and let sales people do what they do – sell merchandise.

Get an anti shoplifting attitude and cut your retail theft losses with a retail anti theft device from Checkpoint Systems.

Call 770-426-0547 or click here for more information.  Visit our Online Loss Prevention Store here.

 

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Tell shoplifters to go elsewhere with Checkpoint systems

March 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Where ever you have a retail outlet, a business, etc., you have shoplifting.  It comes with the territory of owning and operating a business.  However, there are anti shoplifting measures available that can lessen the affect shoplifting has on your business and your customers.

According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, most cases of shoplifting occur by people who otherwise obey the law.  Often shoplifters have no previous record, except for possibly other shoplifting arrests.  Additionally, consumers pay higher prices because of shoplifters.  Businesses that suffer large losses from shoplifters have to raise their prices to compensate for that loss, thus sharing the problem with customers as well.

Anti shoplifting measures, such as Checkpoint security systems, can prevent shoplifting in your business.  While shoplifting is prevalent, it is much harder for a shoplifter to steal when there are Checkpoint labels or Checkpoint tags standing in the way.

Shoplifters are only successful at what they do if they do not draw attention to themselves.  Without getting anyone’s attention, they can steal, and steal, and steal some more.  “Attention” to a shoplifter is when they see that your business has Checkpoint systems.

Shoplifters steal for a variety of reasons, including the “high” or excitement of the steal, and of getting away with it.  They also can feel that they have earned the right to shoplift, or that it is justified due to their own sacrifice.  Shoplifters also have said that they experience a relief from anxiety, boredom, or depression when they steal.

Regardless of how a shoplifter benefits from shoplifting, do not allow your business to be the provider of their satisfaction.  Checkpoint security systems can reduce your losses from these people and send them somewhere else to “get their fix.”  Honest customers are the ones that you want to attract, not the thieves due to your lack of anti shoplifting devices.

Speaking of satisfaction Checkpoint systems ,  Checkpoint labels and Checkpoint tags do not deter your legitimate customers. Their satisfaction comes from your lower prices!

Visit the Retail Loss Prevention Store

For more information about anti shoplifting or Checkpoint security systems or Checkpoint labels or Checkpoint tags contact us at Checkpoint systems or call 1.770.426.0547.

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A Tip of the Cap to Bottle Security

March 15, 2011 by

Bottle security has had its challenges in the past, especially when the content of the bottle is something that people enjoy, but don’t necessarily like spending a lot of money on.  Alpha Security has developed unconventional ways of liquor bottle security through the application of secure bottle locks that fit around the neck or over the cap of various sized bottles of liquor and wine.

Liquor bottles, by virtue of their size and availability, have long been a target of shoplifters who can resell the stolen product, trade it, or use it themselves.  Bottle locks from Alpha Security put a stop to shoplifting bottled merchandise from liquor stores.

The bottle locks work in two ways:  The lock that covers the top of the bottle precludes the potential thief from using the product since the cap can’t be removed without damaging the bottle, except by the salesclerk.  The lock also contains an RFID that is identified by an EAS (electronic article surveillance system) like those provided by Checkpoint Systems that will cause an alarm as the merchandise passes the Checkpoint System at the customers’ exit.

There is no question that the use of bottle locks reduces theft and increases profit.  The only question is – how much?  A large number of retailers use bottle locks selectively on their premium top shelf brands, and have been able to display them openly at a greatly reduced theft rate.

Retailers can keep their wine and spirits bottles (and their caps) secure from shoplifters with the use of bottle security from Alpha Security products.

For an explanation of how bottle security can work for you, call 770-426-0547 or click here for more information.  Visit our Online Loss Prevention Store here.

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Prevent Shoplifting No Matter What it’s Called

March 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

How hard is it to prevent shoplifting when most people don’t seem to consider it a serious problem.  Even the slang names that shoplifting goes by downplay its impact on retailers: jacked; robbed; grabbed; lifted; boosted; snitched; nicked; ripped; and snagged are all terms used by shoplifters to describe what they do.

The fact is that shoplifting a serious crime with an enormous impact on the economy.  According to the NASP, more than $13 Billion worth of goods are stolen each year from retailers. 

That equates to $35 Million per year. 

[“Information and statistics provided by the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP), a non-profit organization; www.shopliftingprevention.org.”]

Each and every customer who spends money with a retailer, whether it’s the local convenience store or the most exclusive boutique, makes up for the retailers’ shortfall by paying more for merchandise than he would if there were no retail theft.

Most shoplifters are just people like you and me.  The overwhelming majority of shoplifters would never steal from family or friends, or rob a bank, so studies have shown that the inclination to steal comes from social and personal pressures.

The first victim of the shoplifter is the storeowner, who has to take it on himself to prevent shoplifting from taking his business and livelihood.

Education, merchandising, and staff on the sales floor all help.

The most effective deterrent without keeping products locked away, is an EAS (electronic article surveillance system) such as on of the products provided by Checkpoint Security Systems.  A Checkpoint system standing at the exit to the store warns potential shoplifters that store management is serious about shoplifters.  It communicates to legitimate customers that the store values its shoppers by keeping prices as low as possible while still allowing access to all merchandise to touch or event to try on.

Prevent shoplifting by increasing the risk of detection and keep merchandise where it belongs, in the store or with a paying customer by using Checkpoint Security Systems anywhere shoplifting is a problem.

For information on ways to prevent shoplifting, call 770-426-0547 or click here for ideas.  Be sure and visit our Online Retail Loss Prevention Store.

 

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Preventing Employee Theft – Atlanta Georgia

March 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Here are a few tips for you to follow that will help you prevent or reduce employee theft within your organization. First of all, develop a policy which states plainly how employee purchases are to be handled. Be sure to emphasize the fact that employees should never process their own purchases under any circumstances. Install lockers and establish a policy under which employees are not allowed to bring personal items (i.e. purses, backpacks, briefcases, etc.) onto the sales floor. Establish an “employee entrance”. Everyone who’s working should use those doors to enter and exit. Make sure that entrance is monitored at all times.

Perform regular refund audits. Fraudulent refunds have become an increasingly popular form of employee theft. Make sure you’re cross-checking the refund slips with the actual merchandise in stock. Be sure to audit all vendors and suppliers that come in and out of your business as well. These individuals have access to areas of your building that everyday customers don’t, but because they’re not your regular employees they’re usually the last ones you suspect in cases of employee theft.

You should develop a process for trash removal as that is one of the biggest ways employees have been known to remove merchandise from a building. Use clear trash bags whenever possible and make it mandatory for all boxes to be flattened or crushed before they are discarded.  Perform random spot checks of employee packages, purchases, backpacks, purses, etc. It is important that everyone in your employ know that you are watching and are aware of the possibility of employee theft, and that it will not be tolerated.

For more information about corporate fraud investigation or corporate fraud investigator or employee theft or employee theft investigation or internal theft or white collar crime contact us at Employee Theft or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Clothing Security Deters and Detects

March 14, 2011 by

The reason most retailers use clothing security tags and retail anti theft devices like the ones manufactured by Checkpoint Systems, is not to actually catch shoplifters.  The idea is to prevent the shoplifter from choosing the store that uses such a device as the place to practice his hobby of shoplifting.

The fact is, retailers had far rather prevent shoplifting that detect it.  The cost in time and money in actually catching, detaining, and prosecuting a shoplifter can be high.  So high in fact that some shop owners choose not to bother with shoplifters that steal merchandise valued at below a predetermined amount.

A major retailer implemented this policy several years ago and let the information be public.  After several months of being plagued by shoplifters who could do math and who were assured that they would not be prosecuted, the retailer dropped the ill-advised policy.

The costs involve downtime for store personnel, non productive hours taking off work to get warrants, make complaints, or testify in court.

Its much more economical to save lost inventory, save lost time, and save lost money by putting clothing security systems to work guarding the merchandise and forcing the shoplifter into making a couple of decisions.   The first decision is whether to steal in a store where there is a good chance of being detected because of clothing security tags, or to go ahead and buy the item.  The second is that if they do decide to steal, do they do it in a store protected by a clothing alarm, or do they move on to an easier target – another store down the street.

And if the shoplifter makes a poor decision and decides to take the merchandise in spite of the clothing security tags attached to it, the Checkpoint Systems electronic article surveillance at the door will sound the alarm as the merchandise passes by it, attracting plenty of unwanted attention.

Clothing security protects a retailer’s valuable investment in both inventory and payroll, and allows legitimate shoppers to browse unhindered by merchandise that is locked behind a display case or attached to a rack by cables.

Want to improve your clothing security and learn more?  Call 770-426-0547 or click here for information.  Visit our Online Retail Loss Prevention Store here.

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Anti Shoplifting Action that Works

March 13, 2011 by Leave a Comment

If anti shoplifting efforts aren’t on a retailer’s mind, then he isn’t paying attention.  Shoplifting, as everyone has heard, is affects everyone in the form of higher prices and an overloaded court system, but the person most directly affected is the retailer himself.

Stealing from a store just isn’t personal to the general public, who seem to look on shoplifting as a victimless crime in many cases.  But it is extremely personal to the retailer, as personal as taking cash out of his pocket, because that is exactly what shoplifting does.  When the store loses, not only the owner loses, but also each employee of the store who may have received a raise, or may not have been laid off, also loses.  In addition to making capital available to operate the business, the store profit is what the retailer depends on for his own living expenses.  So yes, shoplifting is personal to him, and the reason for his anti shoplifting position.

Checkpoint Systems retail anti theft devices are the choices for retailers that are serious about their anti shoplifting efforts.

Every Checkpoint Security Systems piece of equipment, Checkpoint labels, and Checkpoint tags are designed to prevent shoplifting from its many users.  The mere presence of a Checkpoint Systems antenna standing at the store’s entrance is sufficient to subtly warn the potential shoplifter that the risk of being caught shoplifting at that store is too great to take the chance.  For those that do decide to risk theft from a protected store, the attention they will get from a well trained and attentive staff member will certainly affect their intention.

There are Checkpoint Security Systems doing their jobs in the retail environment from the mega stores all the way down to the corner grocery store, and all have experienced greatly reduced instances of shoplifting and are enjoying new found profits.

Need anti shoplifting advice?  Call 770-426-0547 or click here for more information.  Please visit our Online Retail Loss Prevention Store here.

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