Prevent shoplifting, boost your profits

January 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Prevent shoplifting ? Do you have shoplifters? Can you prevent shoplifting ?

Well, let me start by saying, you may be in the wrong business if you think you don’t have shoplifters. Every retailer has shoplifters, no matter how secure they think they might be. However, you can certainly prevent shoplifting by being proactive and limiting the amount of loss your store will experience.

Retail loss prevention has been working for years on how to prevent retail theft. Many retail loss prevention professionals agree that at least 30% of a retailer’s loss is directly related to shoplifting. In some cases, that number is much higher.
Working for many years in retail loss prevention, I have seen a large number of shoplifters throughout many retailers. One thing each of these retailers has in common is looking for ways to prevent shoplifting. Well, here are a couple of tips.

First, if you don’t already have a retail loss prevention program, get one. You need specialty help. Store Managers are good, but they don’t have the training needed to apprehend shoplifters nor do they have the time to follow up on these cases. To prevent retail theft, you have to create a retail loss prevention program to meet the needs of your business. This could mean hiring loss prevention consultants to make the necessary recommendations.

Inventory shrinkage is a killer of many retailers. Affecting the sales of the store, inventory shrinkage has been known to shut down companies.  If shoplifting contributes 30% or more to inventory shrinkage, then the problem has been stopped.

Do this! Truly evaluate what your store needs. Look at the types of shoplifting activities are going on in your store. Talk with your employees, often times they see and hear of shoplifting incidents daily. Find out what merchandise is mostly being lost or stolen, then get help.

Contact us at prevent shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

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Preventing Employee Theft & Negligent Hiring Claims Go Hand In Hand – Atlanta Georgia

January 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment

In the thirty years of conducting employee theft investigations I look back and see that many of the problems these employees caused us could have been prevented at the time of hiring had the company paid attention to the warning signals.

If addressed in the beginning BEFORE a candidate is hired these same warning signals also provide your company protection from negligent hiring claims. It is important to look at hiring as a process that must be adhered to even if you are a small business.

To protect your company you should do the following:

  • All job applicants must fill out your application form. You should not simply accept their resume. They need to completely fill out you application and sign it. Your application should include a detailed work history. It should also ask about criminal convictions. Yes, you can do that and you should, every time.
  • Actually check their criminal records. It is easy and cheap.
  • Conduct personal interview with the candidate. This should be done by at least 2 people but the more the merrier.  I suggest 3-5 interviews with different management people in your company. This allows you to get many views and in the long run the new employee will be even more accepted as others have a stake in their success. Don’t have anyone else that can do an interview? Ask a trusted business friend, spouse or other person who is professional and will represent you and your company well.
  • Require references both personal and work related. Then actually check them. You will be surprised what they will tell you if you know how to ask the right questions.
  • Have a set of forms that you use each time for this and retain those forms in their file.

These items will serve you well and will help protect you from negligent hiring claims and employee theft. Make them a standard part of your business.

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

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Checkpoint Security Tags…The Secret Weapon

January 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A lot has been written about anti shoplifting and retail anti theft devices. But the most versatile tool in this war is Checkpoint security tags. Unlike acousto magnetic labels, which are about the size, shape and thickness of a piece of “chicklet” gum the Checkpoint labels are paper-thin.

They come in so many varieties that it is hard to keep up with them. Checkpoint security tags can be white, black, clear which allows a packages barcode to show through. They can be printed on with your own printed with barcodes, logos, pricing information and more. You can also stick your own label over the top of them.

As far as size, Checkpoint labels have a wide range of sizes. This ranges from the postage stamp size to a 1.5” x 1.5” size. And there are many in between. For example the very popular 710 label is 1.3” x 1.4”. There are two sizes of round labels and they fit very well on the bottom of bottles such as medicines. They also work very well on the bottom of small square boxes. The round shape means that the corners of a label do not hang over the edges.

Another great series of Checkpoint security tags is the 615. The 615-barcode label has not only a fake barcode but also a small box printed on it that allows another sticker to be applied such as a logo or price tag. This all goes to hiding the intent of the Checkpoint labels.

And, of course, in the arsenal of retail anti theft devices is the Checkpoint systems themselves. Checkpoint Systems latest tool is the Evolve system. As anti shoplifting goes this is the top of the pile. Evolve has so many features packed into it I will need to write a separate blog for that. But for now consider the following Evolve features: superior detection with new revolutionary electronics, people counting, alarm detection that can tell if a customer is entering or leaving the store.

For more information on retail anti theft devices or checkpoint systems or checkpoint security tags or checkpoint labels or retail theft prevention or stop shoplifting contact us at anti shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

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Background Checks are a Time Saver

January 26, 2011 by

Background Checks are a Time Saver

How much time could an employer save if unqualified and unsuitable applicants just didn’t apply for open positions at your business?

Letting all applicants know – before the interview phase begins – that your company conducts pre employment background checks on everyone as part of the process.  That is often enough to discourage potential applicants who have something to hide from wasting their time in applying.  Let them know that you check relevant claims on the resume, such as previous employers, education and address verifications, and the information contained on the application, and that you do conduct these checks early in the hiring process.  If an applicant seeking a position with your company is aware that he will be screened by a comprehensive background check conducted by background check experts, he may either decide to not pursue the position or to be more open and honest when describing his history and abilities, allowing a decision to reached more quickly.

The earlier in the process an applicant reveals any potentially adverse information, the more likely the potential employer will be to consider the relativity of the information to the position offered.  The attitude of the applicant with something to hide is often, “If I can just talk to the hiring manager, I can explain this issue”, but this approach will usually not work if information has been withheld, falsified or embellished by the applicant.  However, if the applicant is honest up front, the chances are better that the message will be heard.

The bottom line is that the sooner an under qualified candidate is removed from the pool of potential hires, the more time can be spent qualifying candidates who would truly be good fits for the open positions.  Similarly, the sooner a lesser-qualified individual is removed from the process by a pre employment background checks, the better for all concerned.

To learn more about background checks, call background check experts at  770-426-0547 or click here.

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Clothing security announces: “Don’t steal from me!”

January 26, 2011 by

I’ve decided I would like to start a life of crime.

Why work and make an honest living when I can steal to get the items that I want?  I think I will shoplift clothing so that I can return it for cash, or perhaps sell it in online auctions.  Or, I could even run my own underground shop and sell it right out of my home.

I want to be able to shoplift clothing easily, quickly, and without getting caught.

Unfortunately, the statements above are not uncommon.  Shoplifting is more prevalent than the average person can imagine, especially when many people are facing tough economic times right now.  When a shoplifter is scoping out a business to steal clothing from, they are considering what type of clothing security the business has in place.

Many businesses do not have any type of security tags on clothes .  These businesses are offering an open invitation to shoplifters that the shoplifters can steal with limited chances of getting caught.  “Clothing up for grabs” might as well be posted on the store front – because having no clothing security tags speaks just as loudly to the potential shoplifter.

If your store has clothing security tags or a clothing alarm , you are also speaking to the shoplifters.  You are saying, “I am going to do everything I can to prevent you from stealing from me.”  The mere presence of security tags on clothes speaks volumes to your level of security in your business.

Having clothing security also says, “so don’t even try, shoplifter.  Go elsewhere.”

If I decide to pursue that life of crime, I think I will choose a different business to victimize. One without clothing security or a clothing alarm.

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

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Prevent shoplifting by making your business less attractive…to shoplifters – Atlanta Georgia

January 26, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A business’s ability to prevent shoplifting is important in order for that business to be profitable.  No business owner wants all of his merchandise walking out of the front door without being purchased.  All businesses are affected by retail theft, but to what extent can be determined by the measures in place to prevent shoplifting within the business.

A business owner should make sure that their sales floor lay out is not attractive to shoplifters.  Keep shelving low and aisles spaced apart.  Clothing racks should have some space between them and not be too tall.  The sales floor should be analyzed to make sure that there are no hidden corners or dark areas that make it easy to be out of sight and concealing merchandise.

Shoplifters can be professionals or amateurs.  Both types can be good at what they do and difficult to catch, but you can still prevent shoplifting by knowing what to watch for when these individuals come into your business.

Professionals are shoplifting for a living and can be difficult to detain. Both may use lookouts to watch store employees while another member of the group steals.  Prevent shoplifting from both of these groups by being aware that they exist, and by trying hard not to be a target.

Shoplifters steal in a variety of ways.  They may conceal merchandise in purses, pockets, strollers, or inside of other merchandise that they will then purchase.  Some shoplifters will switch price tags on items, or try to conduct return fraud.  All of these varieties can lead to shrinkage within your store. 

However the shoplifter may choose to steal, it is your job as the business owner or manager to make it more difficult:  prevent shoplifting and increase your profits.

For more information contact us at prevent shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Corporate Fraud Investigation When Should I Call? – Atlanta Georgia

January 26, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Loss Prevention Systems Corporate Fraud investigator s have conducted thousands of employee theft investigation s for all types of companies. Large companies with experienced senior staff and the smallest of companies that are less than 5 employees. One problem that we consistently see with all of them is when the client contacts us. Most of the time it is late in the process. It is not an issue for us but it normally does cost the client more. Because we generally have to start over with much of the investigation.

Most people including some of the most savvy business people I have ever met are like a fish out of water in these situations. Because of this they do not know how to build a proper corporate fraud investigation . And because we all watch CSI they try to be their own corporate fraud investigator. It is not like what we see on TV, far from it.

Our job is to build a corporate fraud investigation that will prevail with civil and criminal courts and serve to effectively block unemployment claim if the client so desires. Most company executives are frustrated in these situations because they are missing a key business element that they must have to make their every day business decisions. That is control. They do not know what to do. We provide and therefore restore that sense of and actual control.

But why not just call the police or FBI? They have a staff of professional investigators. They have the skills. Of course they do. But as anyone in my field knows the chances of getting law enforcement to do this type of employee theft investigation is like playing the lottery. It isn’t that they do not want to or do not have the skill. The fact is that there is so many investigations assigned to them they cannot actually work one to the extent necessary to get the investigation where it need to go. The average police detective in the U.S. is assigned 40 +/- investigations in a thirty-day period. They are civil servants and work a 40-hour workweek. How many of those 40 investigations do you really think get worked?

On the other side we at LPSI assign one corporate fraud investigator to an investigation. They work on it from start to finish and that time frame is short depending on the case. Even complicated ones. Most of the delays we experience is the client trying to catch up with us.

SO when should you call? Save yourself some money and call right away before you start firing people, calling the police and defiantly before the losses and investigation becomes water cooler gossip.

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

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The business needs of security and loss prevention – Atlanta Georgia

January 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Security and loss prevention. Is your business prepared?

Listen, there is a lot to think about when considering a security guard service or a loss prevention department in your stores.

Let me share a horror story about a security guard company that we decided to go with on “the cheap” so to say.

I was overseeing a metro area store with lots of foot traffic customers. Looking for new ways to prevent shoplifting, the company thought of hiring a security company. However, the store didn’t want to pay for a quality security company and decided to go with a sort of “fly by night” guard service. Additionally, they store requested an increase in coverage from the retail loss prevention services provided by the corporate office.

The retail loss prevention agents arrived to the store and worked their schedules and were productive, however, they weren’t available from opening to closing. The store, still in negotiations with the guard service company, needed help. They accepted the absolute cheapest guard service.

The company came in and worked the store. The first guard arrived and worked his shift, the second or relief guard arrived for his shift. The first guard made a comment about the punctuality of the relief guard and the two broke out in an all out fist fight in the store. The retail loss prevention agent on duty and the store manager ended up having to deal with the fight. On top of this, all of the customers standing around witnessed this and called 911. One guard was arrested. Now, the retail loss prevention and manager are witnesses and will be pulled away at a later date for court purposes.

What’s my point? Security and loss prevention are an important aspect of the retail world and to prevent shoplifting. However, trying to do things as inexpensively as possible is not always the solution.

For more information about loss prevention security or security and loss prevention contact us at retail loss prevention or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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The Blitz: A Great Way to Stop Shoplifting

January 24, 2011 by Leave a Comment

If you want to stop shoplifting in your establishment and send a powerful message at the same time I’ve found that a blitz is a great way to do that. Now, I’m not talking about suiting up in helmets and shoulder pads and laying a shoplifter out Ray Lewis style. (though God knows I’ve fantasized about doing just that on many occasions) A shoplifting blitz is when you concentrate a majority of your efforts and assets on a particular location for a set period of time.

For example, let’s say you have a particular location that has been taking a great deal of losses due to an increase in shoplifter traffic. That particular location normally employs 1, maybe 2, loss prevention associates at any given time. Bring in 2 or 3 more trained loss prevention professionals for about a week. Give them the necessary equipment and information on what the high-risk items are at that particular location and let them do what they do. What this does is overwhelm the shoplifters with numbers. They can no longer distract one associate while another robs you blind. Snatch and runs become a futile attempt because you have enough personnel to post someone discreetly at or near the exits.

Additionally, when you put that many loss prevention professionals in 1 place a healthy competition will naturally develop. Everyone wants to show that they’re the best. Plus, shoplifters talk. If you’re having a substantial problem it’s because that community has already deemed you an “easy mark”. When your efforts to stop shoplifting ramps up they’ll begin to talk about that too. Once enough crooks get caught they’ll figure out that you’re serious and find another retailer to frequent. If you’re having a problem try the blitz, it’s a great way to stop shoplifting in your establishment.

For more information about retail theft prevention or retail anti theft devices or checkpoint tags or checkpoint labels or checkpoint security system contact us at Stop Shoplifting. You can also visit our On-Line Store or call 1.770.426.0547

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Criminal Background Check – A Comparison

January 24, 2011 by

Criminal Background Check – A Comparison

When is a criminal background check not a criminal background check?  When it doesn’t deliver accurate results in a timely manner.  The search for criminal records always begins at the local courthouse level in the county where the applicant resides, or has lived, gone to school, or been employed.  The public records contained here follow a criminal action from arrest to conviction or acquittal, and all the steps in between.  Records that come from the county level are generally obtained from retrievers, individuals whose job it is to go to the local courthouse and look up and report records to interested parties, maybe a background check company or an attorney or insurance company.

A step broader that the county search is the statewide repository.  These are provided by state law enforcement entities that maintain them and are made available to the public from some, but not all states.  The states receive the information from law enforcement and court agencies in that state.  The problem with state repositories is that not all agencies consistently report activity to them.  Another is that they are frequently expensive, slow to obtain, and the information is more likely to be restricted than a criminal background check that comes from the county courthouse.  The advantage is that is covers a much broader area than a county search.  Your background company will advise you which states are dependable and economical and which ones aren’t.

A step above the statewide search is the National Crime Information Center, which maintains information gathered from jurisdictions all over the country.  Access to this information is severely restricted and unavailable to the public for employment purposes, and the reporting error and missing record rate is high.

Frequently represented as a National Criminal Background Check are records that are offered by a background check company that (there are several of them) maintains its own commercial database, containing millions of records.  These records are purchased from jurisdictions that make them available electronically in bulk.  They are periodically uploaded to the computer equipment of the background check company and resold to companies as National Background Checks.  These are not usually current and can’t be considered comprehensive in any way, as so many jurisdictions are not included.  An employer should never depend on a commercial database to make a hiring decision, as most background check experts do not consider them compliant with current federal laws regulating the background check industry.

Finally, there is the Federal Court System, which houses the records of those that have violated federal statutes, everything from littering a national park to the RICOH Act.  These records are generally obtained by a retriever.

Need help with your criminal background check?  Call background check experts at 770-426-0547 or click Background Checks.

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