High End Product Theft? Solve The Problem And Stop Shoplifting!

January 5, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Are you scratching your head trying to figure out how to stop shoplifting losses on a high cost item such as leather, women’s handbags or power tools? Shoplifters like to target these items for obvious reasons; one item gets them a very high return. There are solutions to this issue.

Many retailers take the approach that they have to lock up or put this type of item behind the counter. This keeps it away from thieves but it also limits access by legitimate customers. There are also older systems that “tie” the item down with a simple cable or a wire that is alarmed. Those methods are messy, difficult to manage and quite frankly look ugly in your merchandising efforts. Putting item behind glass again does not allow customer access.

Consider another idea. Place an Alpha 3 Alarm Hard Tag on the item and stop shoplifting once and for all. These hard tags protect the merchandise in three ways at the same time. They allow the customer to pick up the item, look at it and carry it around the store. They do not need employee assistance. Oh and by the way the Alpha 3 Alarm Hard Tag is not very big and it is very well built

The three ways this hard tag protect the merchandise are:

  1. Early detection – If a shoplifter attempts to remove the tag by cutting it off or forcing it the tag itself goes into alarm. A built in sounder goes off alerting employees.
  2. EAS protection – If the shoplifter tries to leave the store it will activate your Checkpoint systems or other EAS system. The tag it self will also go into alarm.
  3. Extended Range – If the shoplifter tries to run away the built in sounder stays in alarm until the battery dies which is quite a long time. I like this part. We love to see a shoplifter standing there with the alarm sounding outside the store.

For your good customers once they reach the checkout your employee simply removes the Alpha 3 Alarm Hard Tag to be recycled for use on another piece of your merchandise.

Alpha products work hand in hand with Checkpoint systems or your current EAS to stop shoplifting in your store.

For more information about Alpha 3 Alarm Hard Tags, checkpoint systems or other retail anti theft devices contact us at stop shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

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Stopping theft with clothing security

January 5, 2011 by

I have helped work cases in which the shoplifter goes to a quiet corner of the business, and then pulls out some sacks and bags up the clothing she has selected.  Then the shoplifter simply walks out of the doors of the business, having the appearance of having paid for the merchandise they are carrying.

This is a common way to shoplift, especially with the increasing popularity of reusable shopping bags that the customer can bring into the store.  However, if your business has security tags on clothes , then this type of theft can be deterred.

A shoplifter wants to be able to quickly remove a tag, or not even have to remove anything off of the clothes that he or she wishes to steal.  So by having clothing security tags , you can proactively combat not only this common shoplifting trend, but any type of theft trick a shoplifter may have up his sleeve.

When investing in clothing security tags , a business owner can take into consideration the amount of investment, which is minimal, compared to the profits saved and merchandise protected.  When a shoplifter knows that there is a clothing alarm in your business, he or she will move on to the next, unprotected business. That is exactly what you want to happen.

Word then spreads that your business has clothing security , and therefore is not the appealing target to shoplifters that other businesses may be.  So the shoplifters go to the unprotected businesses, and the honest customers come to you.

No matter how a shoplifter chooses to steal, clothing security tags can be a great deterrent and a worthwhile investment. A shoplifter needs to opportunity to steal from you, and without that opportunity, the theft cannot occur. Clothing security takes away that opportunity, and protects your merchandise at the same time.

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

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What are Loss Prevention Consultants? – Atlanta Georgia

January 5, 2011 by

 If you’re like most people you know very little about what loss prevention consultants are and what they do. Don’t feel bad, I’ve been in the loss prevention field for over a decade and had to brush up a bit on what exactly the job of a consultant was versus the everyday detective, investigator or LP supervisor. In short, loss prevention consultants are individuals who work with one or more companies to provide evaluation and assistance with various loss prevention issues.

These consultants use procedures that can include anything from mystery shopping and running background checks on potential employees to investigating occurrences of theft and performing employee interrogations. While major corporations and larger companies typically have dedicated loss prevention associates and have employees who work full time in loss prevention, other smaller companies cannot often afford to pay for loss prevention on a full-time basis. Loss prevention consultants will typically work with these types of companies to provide the protection and services of a loss prevention department without the need for ongoing, full-time pay.

The methods used and services provided by loss prevention consultants will typically vary from company to company, and are based on the needs of the business looking to hire a consultant. A good company will work with you based on your individual needs rather than simply having a kind of cookie-cutter formula mapped out for everybody. Do your research and find out what company works best for you. Loss prevention consultants can be a cost effective way of keeping your company’s shrink under control.

For more information about loss prevention consultants or loss prevention investigator contact us call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Signals that indicate internal theft with Data – Part 10 of 10 – Atlanta Georgia

January 5, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Signals that indicate possible employee theft or internal theft with data that would require an employee theft investigation.

  • A number of resignations occur in a short period. This often follows a palace revolt whereby a number of key employees have left the company and started their own company or work for a competitor. After their departure you may think that the situation is under control. However, they may have left a collaborator behind who leaks information to them.
  • Competitors know your technical innovations, plans and formulas.
  • Merger or takeover plans leak out.
  • Commercial data, turnover figures, client lists or buying details seem to be known ‘outside’.
  • Rumours keep surfacing about the willingness of personnel to supply information for money or simply out of spite.
  • Loss of clients without any clear explanation.
  • Unexplainable drop in turnover.
  • Clients and other marketing data are offered to competitors.
  • Unexplainable mistakes and disturbances in the computer system.
  • Instructions for operating computer programs are not adhered to.
  • Computer files are altered or disappear.
  • Financial statements are missing or ‘accidentally’ destroyed.
  • Production details, inventory figures, raw materials, and finished products are incomplete or missing.

Do you have a proper, enforceable employment agreement in place that each and every employee signs? Employees who feel no guilt or are entitled to steal you customers or work product are a serious dander to every business. Many times these employees feel that your customers are really their customers because they have built the relationship. What they conveniently forget is that you are paying them to do this for you to build your business. Employee theft or internal theft of this nature can destroy your company unless you have strong agreements and management in place.

Have a problem and need an employee theft investigation ? We can handle it for you!

For more information about internal theft or employee theft contact us at employee theft investigation or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Background Checks 101

January 4, 2011 by

Criminal Background Check 101

When an employer requests a criminal background check and the results include a positive criminal history, where does that information come from?

A good place to get the answer to this question (and more)  is to have a basic understanding of how criminal records are generated, stored, and made available to the public.

The origin of a criminal record occurs when an individual is arrested by a law enforcement agency because he is suspected of having committed a crime.  The person is then formally charged in a court, after an investigation is conducted.  All criminal records are under the supervision of the clerk of the respective court that has jurisdiction of the case.

Eventually, the case is heard and adjudicated and the charged individual is either released as a result of a non-conviction, or convicted and sentenced to a penalty that depends on the severity of the crime, previous convictions and other mitigating or aggravating issues.  All these records remain in the custody of the clerk of the court, but are considered public record, unless there is some special circumstance.

If anyone wants to see the record or if there is a record on someone, she generally must physically go to the courthouse, look up the case number in an index, give that to the clerk who will then go and pull the file containing the paperwork pertaining to the case and let the retriever view it there in the records room.  If copies are required, they are generally done by the clerk for a fee.

Some counties, however make this information available on the internet, where it may be viewed by the general public.  Caution is advised when using the internet to obtain a criminal background check, because while some sites are quite good and complete, others are difficult to use and often incomplete or inaccurate.

County courts as well as law enforcement agencies in most cases also report activity to a central state repository, which may be made available to the public.  The quality of the information contained in these repositories can range from accurate and adequate to less than useful because of omissions and inaccuracies.  Many states don’t make the information in their repositories available at all, and others make access so inconvenient that it is basically worthless.

Crimes are also reported to a national criminal database known as NCIC, but these records are not generally made available to the public.

Commercial databases purchase information from courts that allow it, but although the information from these sources is usually fast and cheap, it should never be used as an employer’s primary source for a criminal background check.

For more information on how to obtain a quality criminal background check call 770-426-0547 or click here.

Fine Print:  We are not attorneys, and the content in this blog should be considered as informational and not as legal advice.  If you need legal advice, contact an attorney.

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Watching profit not loss: Prevent shoplifting in your business

January 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

My employees that watch and catch shoplifters spotted an individual who concealed an electronic item between two pairs of pants, then entered the fitting room of the business. The fitting room attendant did not handle or touch the clothing, and therefore did not prevent shoplifting in this case.  The electronic item was stolen while the shoplifter was inside of the fitting room.

This is a common occurrence among our employees – a simple act such as handling the items going into the fitting room could have be enough to prevent shoplifting in this situation.  Training our employees to be aware of the techniques shoplifters use can go far to prevent shoplifting within your business.

Having a strong loss prevention program in place is beneficial in protecting the assets of a business.  Employing the expertise of a loss prevention consultant can make this daunting task a reality for businesses that may not know where to start in creating a program.

Once there are guidelines in place, employees can be trained to prevent shoplifting in their everyday work.  Some basic guidelines are to teach employees to pay attention to the shoppers in their area, and to provide good customer service.  A potential shoplifter does not want attention, so if attention is provided to every customer in your business, the shoplifter knows he or she has been noticed.  This is exactly what a shoplifter does not want.

Additional loss prevention ideas are to have controls in place in areas like your fitting room.  Fitting room attendants should handle the clothing that goes into the fitting room to make sure that merchandise is not concealed within it.  The attendant should also count and limit the number of garments going in, and then make sure that is the number that comes back out.

When you prevent shoplifting within your business, you decrease your shrink and increase your profits – common business sense.

For more information contact us at prevent shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547.

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Checkpoint Tags, What’s Hot?

January 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Checkpoint Systems has an extensive offering of genuine Checkpoint tags. When you combine this with Alpha High Theft Solutions, which is a subsidiary of Checkpoint Systems, you have every weapon in the war on shoplifters. Here is a list of Checkpoint tags that are available. These are also called “hard tags”

Mini Hard Tag – This hard tag is the staple of the line. It is the most popular…for now. It is so popular that it is often imitated, but rarely equaled. The genuine Checkpoint tag has clean well sealed edges. This is important because most of the imitators can be pried apart with either fingers or a pocketknife. Rough edges also tend to snag the very clothing items you are trying to protect.

3G Hard Tag – This tag is picking up in popularity. It is the same size and shape as the mini however there are several major differences. The 3G comes with a locking mechanism that requires a super detacher. This makes removal almost impossible with out a super detacher. The 3G Hard Tag is also constructed differently. The seam is concealed and welded is such a way that it cannot be attacked. This new construction along with the distinctive but subtle white and beige color clearly identify it as genuine Checkpoint Systems.

Button Tag – This is another really neat offering. The Button Tag is about the same size as a large button on a ladies coat. It is black in color. Like the 3G and the Mini Hard Tag it also has a hole for a flex string and it’s locking mechanism is available in either a standard or super detacher. The Button Tag is really compact and provides the same coverage as a mini hard tag. Again, like all Checkpoint Systems tags it is very well constructed.

Maxi Hard Tag – Wow, if you want the maximum protection the Maxi Hard Tag is it. Larger in size to allow for a bigger coil, which makes it’s pick at the antennas much better in challenging situations. The Maxi Hard Tag has very clean, sleek lines in its oval shape. White in color the seam is also very well constructed.

All four of these tags have the raised ring around the pinhole that deters prying of the pin! If you are in doubt about weather or not a Hard Tag is a genuine Checkpoint Systems Hard Tag just look for the name or logo.

For more information about anti shoplifting or checkpoint security tags or retail anti theft devices contact us at stop shoplifting or shop our Retail Loss Prevention Store for genuine Checkpoint Security Tags , systems or installations.

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Ways to Stop Shoplifting

January 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Ok, let’s face it; there is no fool proof way to stop shoplifting. As hard as we’re working to stop them, they’re working to figure out new improved ways to get away without paying for our merchandise. God forbid they should actually get a job and pay for their goods like regular folks, that would be too much like “right”. So, we’re left with the job of staying knowledgeable on their tricks and trends in order to keep our merchandise in the stores and available to the honest paying customers that frequent our establishments. The following are a few popular ways shoplifters do their dirt:

The baby carriage or stroller is a great tool for shoplifters. There are always blankets, toys, and other things in strollers, including the baby, that merchandise can be hidden under – despicable, I know. Some thieves have even built false bottoms in baby carriages in which to conceal merchandise. A large open bag is a common shoplifter tool. It is placed at the thief’s feet, and objects are casually dropped into it. Be on the lookout for what I call “thief bags” – a paper or plastic bag that is dirty, wrinkled or obviously previously used. Also keep an eye out for shopping bags that are not from local stores. Thieves will bring these in, fill them with your merchandise, and then pretend it was purchased previously or from another store.

You have to be very observant in order to stop shoplifting. A common tactic is to keep a closed, but not snapped, umbrella hanging on your elbow or leaning against a counter, and then to drop items into it. Baggy clothes in general are good places to hide stolen items. Some people have extra pockets or hooks sewn into coats and jackets so that they can easily conceal merchandise without drawing too much attention to themselves. The shoplifter is an inventive creature who will stop at nothing to get away with your merchandise. The only way to stop shoplifting is to stay aware and keep one step ahead of the crooks.

For more information about retail anti theft devices or retail theft prevention or anti shoplifting contact us to stop shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

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Protecting merchandise with retail anti theft devices

January 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment

In a perfect world we would staff our business to the max, so that every item and every aisle could be watched. That is simply not practical in the business world: at least not in a profitable business.

Retail anti theft devices can help protect your assets and stop shoplifting in your business.  High theft items draw in the shoplifters, so these are the items that need to be protected and merchandised in a way to increase sales and reduce loss.

Strategies in retail theft prevention include placing high theft items where employees can keep an eye on them.  However, employees also provide good customer service and may need to show an inquisitive customer where an item is, thus directing the employee’s attention away from those high theft items.   Retail anti theft devices can be utilized to still offer protection to those items that shoplifters desire the most, when employees may be unable to closely watch the items.

There is a variety of retail anti theft devices available:  a business owner can work with a retail theft prevention expert to determine which type of device is best suited for his products and his retail environment.  For a minimal investment loss from shoplifting can be greatly reduced with retail theft prevention techniques.

Is there a way to completely stop shoplifting in your business?  Probably not, but you can sure reduce the opportunity for theft in your business by having trained employees, retail anti theft devices , and good retail theft prevention  practices.

For more information about: retail anti theft devices or stop shoplifting or retail theft prevention contact us or call 1.770.426.256.

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Checkpoint Security Systems and the retailer

January 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Checkpoint security systems are not your run of the mill systems. Sure, there are many systems out there that claim to provide the same level of security, service and protection. However, few can match the quality and service provided by checkpoint security systems .

What is the benefit of having a checkpoint security system ? For starters, it gives the amateur shoplifter that ability to decide “Never mind, I won’t steal this merchandise today”. Checkpoint security systems work by providing a visual presence, much like a uniformed security guard standing at the front of your store. The would-be shoplifter see’s the inability to exit the store without being noticed, so they give up. Also, look at your merchandise.

In the efforts to help stop shoplifting, retail anti theft devices are affixed to several type of merchandise. Now, when the average shoplifter enters your store, he see’s these retail anti theft devices and decides to not take merchandise. All shoplifters want privacy. They want to be able to get in and out of your store quietly, without being detected. A Checkpoint security system takes away that privacy.

Retailers worldwide are always looking for the solution to stop shoplifting. Can shoplifting be stopped? The jury is still out on that one. For now, focus on reducing the instances of shoplifting and protect your stores, merchandise and employees.

Employees? Did I forget to mention that a Checkpoint security system can help keep honest people honest? Sure, if an employee knows that he must remove retail anti theft devices or has to try and take off checkpoint security tags to defeat the checkpoint systems , he/she certainly will think twice about it.

All in all, keeping your store safe and easy to shop will not only boost your profits but will give your employees a sense that you care. If you care, they will care. If you haven’t already, develop a plan to help stop shoplifting in your stores.

For more information about checkpoint systems , checkpoint security tags , checkpoint labels  or anti shoplifting contact us at Checkpoint Security Systems or call us at 1.770.426.0547

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