Clothing Security In The New Year

January 3, 2011 by

Shoplifting is on the rise. National studies show that shoplifting is higher than ever. Unfortunately it will probably stay this way for some time. Those retailers who want to turn a profit have to maximize every sale and reduce every loss possible.

This makes clothing security even more important than ever.

If you are not protecting your company aggressively you WILL LOOSE MONEY. Are you taking the following clothing security actions?

  • Do you have adequate floor coverage at all times (shoplifters will watch for vulnerabilities)?
  • Are you and your employees properly trained in anti shoplifting techniques?
  • Is that training reinforced regularly?
  • Do you have policy and procedures that outlines how your company protects its employees, customers and merchandise?
  • Are you doing routine cycle counts on “hot” merchandise?
  • Are you making adjustments to your shoplifting prevention plan? If an item becomes hot are you aware and protecting it with Checkpoint Systems or other anti shoplifting devices?
  • Do you and your employees approach anyone suspected of shoplifting with an intensive customer service approach.
  • Are your Checkpoint systems working properly? Are false alarms and phantoms address?
  • Is a front-end employee assigned and immediately approaching customer’s when the Checkpoint systems alarms to resolve the situation. Or do they just wave them on (shoplifters love this and look for retailers who do this)?
  • Is the merchandise you have identified in your clothing security plan being tagged before it hits the floor? Is every bit of it tagged or are you hearing “I couldn’t get to it”?
  • If you use Checkpoint systems tags or Alpha hard tags are ALL of the detachers accounted for and physically bolted or tied down to prevent unauthorized use or theft of the detacher itself?

Let’s go into 2011 with a positive clothing security attitude and make it a more profitable year!

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

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Loss Prevention Agent – Recovering your Loss – Atlanta Georgia

January 3, 2011 by

A loss prevention agent can be an employee of your business that is out on your sales floor, watching for shoplifters.  They can be a valuable resource in your efforts to reduce shrink.

Agents should be trained to know what specifically to watch for when they are looking for suspicious activity.  Agents should never profile based on the way a customer looks, their gender, race, etc.  Shoplifters do not fit into a specific category and can be anyone – young or old, wealthy or poor, male or female.

Some customers that come into your business may not realize that their actions appear suspicious.  I have seen customers put $100 worth of small merchandise right on top of their open and empty purses, just to go to the register and pay for it all.  Some customers will conceal items in their coat pockets, then later take it out and pay for it at a register.

These customers know that they are honest, so they do not take into consideration that their actions appear dishonest.  A loss prevention agent will encounter this type of behavior, and must learn how to differentiate between it and the actual shoplifters that will come into your business.

A loss prevention agent must be completely sure of the acts that they have witnessed fall within your policy of detaining shoplifters.  The agent must know that the merchandise is from the store, is unpaid for, and is not going to be paid for.  A loss prevention agent should detain a shoplifter only past the last point of sale, to rule out the possibility that the customer will pay for the merchandise.  The agent must also maintain constant surveillance of the suspected shoplifter after he or she has concealed the merchandise.  If the agent does not, there is the chance that the customer actually went to a register and paid for the concealed merchandise.

A loss prevention agent can be a valuable asset to reducing shrink in your store, as long as policies and guidelines are followed so customers are not unlawfully detained.

For more information about loss prevention consultants , loss prevention investigator contact us: loss prevention agent or call 1.770.426.256 – Atlanta Georgia

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Signals that indicate internal theft, Time Theft – Part 9 of 10 – Atlanta Georgia

January 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Signals which indicate a possible employee theft or internal theft with time. Do you need an employee theft investigation ?

  • Personnel who, seemingly self-sacrificingly, take over their co-workers tasks while they have lunch and coffee breaks. This time can be used for taking money from tills, helping their friends, or placing goods ready to take later or even loading goods into their own vehicle.
  • Personnel who offer to work overtime or who create overtime.
  • Overtime which always takes place with the same group of volunteer employees.
  • Personnel who send their co-workers home while they stay late to count cash or lock the premises.
  • Reporting sick according to a fixed pattern such as an annual event, good weather, during holiday periods, to coincide with a sporting event, or before or after a weekend.
  • Signals that indicate employment for other employers while they claim to be sick, such as not being reachable, fixed patterns of reporting sick, no complaints about reduction of salary.
  • Clients complain that a representative does not visit despite reports submitted by the representative that states a visit has taken place.
  • Raising the hourly rate by declaring un-worked overtime.
  • Carrying out work for his or her own business, or a family business, or for another third party. Working in the same line of business on a “temporary” basis.
  • Regularly preparing private commercial work on the firm’s premises during working hours, evenings or weekends.
  • Lack of control over presence of employees.

Employee theft or internal theft through time fraud is very common. Managers who do not keep and eye on the comings and goings of employees are setting the company for loss. Employees that are not properly supervised may be working for themselves on your time.

Watch for more about employee theft investigation in future blogs!

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

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Reactively Prevent Shoplifting

January 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Reactively Prevent Shoplifting

The first time a shoplifter is caught, he or she will undoubtedly claim that it’s the first time they’ve ever done anything like this, will truly be embarrassed, will offer to buy the item or items, and will swear that they will never do it again.  In some cases, it may be true that this experience will prevent shoplifting from occurring in their lives again; for others, the experience may be only a small inconvenience.

This is just opinion, but I believe that very few retail thieves get caught the first time they give it a try.  The first time, they are generally very nervous, very suspicious, and extra careful to avoid detection, checking closely for one-way mirrors, CCTV cameras, security tags, or employees in the vicinity.  It’s only after they become more comfortable and confident that they let their guard down enough to be caught.

But what reaction should a storekeeper or owner have that is likely to prevent this shoplifter from repeating his actions?

First of all, the experience and embarrassment will probably keep a small percentage of shoplifters from stealing again.  But for others, letting them walk is only an invitation to suffer future losses from this shoplifter and others who hear that your establishment doesn’t prosecute for theft.

Is prosecution always the best course to take to prevent shoplifting?  Not always, but usually.  The crime of shoplifting is a serious one, costing retailers billions of dollars every year.  The courts are generally the best place to take care of shoplifters as they get the benefit of experiencing first hand the consequences of their illegal activities.  The storeowner doesn’t really know, when a shoplifter is caught in his store, if it’s the first or fiftieth time the person has been caught.  The court will know at least know if there have been any previous prosecutions and deal with it accordingly.  First offenders are usually given deferred judgment which means that the offense will not remain on their record forever, unless they fail to meet the terms of their probation or are arrested on another charge.  Repeat offenders receive harsher and harsher penalties.

A shoplifter is responsible for his own situation.

To discuss this and other ways to prevent shoplifting, call 770-426-0547 or click here for contact information.

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Does the Web Lead to Increased Shoplifting in Atlanta GA?

January 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Does the Web Lead to Increased Shoplifting in Atlanta GA?

Are retailers anti shoplifting efforts being hurt by the Internet?

Consider the supply chain of pilfered merchandise from a store.  A professional shoplifter – by that I mean one who makes money by stealing and selling shoplifted merchandise – is only the middle man in the chain.  The stolen merchandise usually goes to a fence who has given the shoplifter an order for a particular product, brand, or type of goods.

The fence tries to turn the merchandise quickly, usually through illegitimate retailers, or flea markets.  At one time, logistics limited the distribution of stolen property geographically to a more or less local area. But now cheap shipping and the Internet have broadened the thieves’ market.  As a result, retailers have had to increase their anti shoplifting efforts.

Auction websites have proven to be a great outlet for stolen property.  There is very little control over them and the merchandise sold through them is extremely hard to trace.  It is simple to remain anonymous or set up a bogus identity to avoid detection.  More and more people are using the Internet to purchase products legally, but the Internet is also becoming a prime outlet for disposing of stolen goods.  E-fencing, according to CNBC News, is a $37 billion industry.  Much of this property is shoplifted. And the actual thief only receives about 10% on the retail dollar.  The fence stands to make a good profit by turning large amounts of merchandise, creating a need for more merchandise.

The retailer and his anti shoplifting program is the key to breaking a link in this supply chain.  A merchant that takes steps in retail theft prevention can reduce or stop shoplifting at his business.

There are various ways to step up the anti shoplifting program at any retail business:  CCTV, EAS measures such as Checkpoint Security Systems, awareness training, and even a vulnerability survey by loss prevention consultants are all methods to prevent retail theft.

Interested in breaking the supply chain of e-fencing and to stop shoplifting at your business?  Call 770-426-0547 or click here:  Anti Shoplifting.  Visit our Online Store for more ideas in Atlanta GA.

 

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Backgound Checks vs an Honest Face

December 31, 2010 by

Theft… Fraud… Embezzlement… Litigation… Poor Performance… Traffic Tickets… Drug Use… Dishonesty… Violence… Alcohol Abuse…

A quality employee background check can help employers avoid discovering the traits listed above in their employees.

An “honest face” just doesn’t get it anymore.  There was a time when employers could hire someone based on reputation, their family, or the school they attended.  Today’s labor force is far more mobile and getting more desperate to find employment in the current economy.  There are far more applicants that there are positions to fill.

How can an employer be certain that he is finding out all he needs to know about an applicant?  Has the applicant been convicted of a crime?  Graduated from college?  Actually held a position at a large company?  Served time in prison?  Been terminated from a previous employer for theft?

Again, an employee background check conducted by an experienced investigator can go a long way in avoiding problems with an employee in the future by screening out undesirable candidates who lack the skills, integrity, and experience to perform the job and meet or exceed the employer’s expectations.

To use an old cliché, “You don’t know what you don’t know.”  As an employer, you are entitled to know everything about your candidate that can be revealed in an employee background check, because it’s your business that’s on the line, and you need people you can trust.

Eliminate the obvious and not-so-obvious applicants from consideration with a thorough and complete employee background check.

For further information about background checks, call 770-426-0547 or click here.

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Clothing Security Tags Taken To The Next Level

December 31, 2010 by

Clothing security tags are not a new innovation. They have been around for some time now. The tried and true Checkpoint security mini hard tag is the most popular in the market. The proof of this is how many knock offs there are of it. However, the problem with mini hard tag knockoffs is the same with any knockoff. They look the same but rarely work as well.

In the case of Checkpoint systems mini hard tags the knock offs leave a lot to be desired. Rough edges that snag and damage clothing. The very merchandise they are supposed to protect. Many are not put together well and come apart, which is great for the shoplifter to easily remove them. But even worse is the detection. Poor quality control and design leave a lot to be desired when coming to detection.

Checkpoint systems does not want to be associated with these knock offs any longer. In fact we have had retailers call about the poor quality of their min hard tags just to find out that they were not genuine Checkpoint Systems. Checkpoint has release a new mini hard tag. It is the 3G Hard Tag. This hard tag takes clothing security tags field to a new level.

Visually it is different. The size is the same but the color is completely different. It is white and beige. The design’s seam is concealed and fused. A shoplifter will have a terrible time trying breaking it apart. The color blends in much better with clothing thank the gray. It has a raised ring around the pinhole to resist prying and has a hole that allows the 3G to accept a flex string.

Another huge difference is that the 3G clothing security tags are available for use with a standard detacher or a super detacher for additional security strength.

If you would like a free sample of the 3G Hard Tag or any other Checkpoint systems tag or label please contact us at clothing security tags or call 1.770.426.0547

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IP CCTV Cameras, Are They Right For You? – Atlanta Georgia

December 30, 2010 by Leave a Comment

We are getting more and more inquiries about IP CCTV cameras. In the initial part of the conversation the customer is convinced that this is what they want and need. Some of this is due to the fact that IP cameras are the “latest and greatest” retail anti theft devices . We sell IP cameras. If we did not care about putting in the correct product to fix a loss prevention problem and just the money we would just put them in.

But IP cameras are not the retail anti theft devices for everyone. In fact they are not for most companies at this point. Retail theft prevention has to be cost effective and give an ROI.

Yes you can get mega pixel digital quality. However, most companies do not need this on every camera, or any for that fact. Cost is a huge issue. You have to have storage space for all that data. Yes, I know that hard drive space is cheap now. Except that these hard drives are not consumer grade. They are commercial grade, meant to run 24/7.

Are you concerned about watching the cameras live from a remote location? Keep in mind that the maximum amount of data that you can send up a DSL or T-1 line equates to about three cameras. It is a lot of data!

Existing coax wiring must be replaced. Unless you are starting from scratch this itself could be cost prohibitive.

Many customers want to run cameras into their PC that they use for other daily functions. This is a bad idea. PC’s tend to crash or lock up even in the best of circumstances. Windows has many things going on in the background that will cause issues or slow down the system. Now add a huge amount of data flowing in.

Cost of the cameras is an issue. A quality camera costs at least $700.00. Oh sure, you can find them cheap. But you get what you pay for. The general rule of thumb is that if you need 23 cameras or more then IP is going to be as cost effective if not more. In most cases this is not a good ROI on retail theft prevention .

Now the good news. IP cameras are easy to use, have a higher resolution, provide some “future proof” protection, will allow for more system integration as time goes on among other benefits.

But be ready for the cost. If you want a 1 to 16-camera system do not even bother looking if you are watching your costs.

For more information about retail theft prevention contact us at retail anti theft devices or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Background Checks Include Professional Licensing

December 30, 2010 by

Background Checks Include Professional Licensing

Maybe this doctor’s office didn’t conduct background checks before, but they are likely to do so now.

A woman working as a Registered Nurse in a Connecticut doctor’s office was sentenced to serve nine months in prison for practicing without a license.  The doctor himself filed a complaint with the State Health Department in 2009 that the faux nurse acted unprofessionally.  The ensuing investigation determined that the woman had never been licensed as a nurse.

While employed by the physician, the woman “injected patients with medicine, wrote prescriptions, and gave medical advice to patients”.

In 2008, the woman received a “Nurse of the Year” award from the “Connecticut Nursing Association.”  As it turns out, the organization doesn’t exist and the woman paid over $2000 from her own pocket to stage the dinner.

The award was one of the reasons the doctor’s office believed the woman was legitimate.

View the entire article here.

On a side note, how many of the doctor’s patients have now consulted attorneys to see if they might have a claim for damages.  This is another case that plaintiffs are going to claim that the doctor’s office “knew or should have known” that the woman was unqualified based on background checks conducted on all employees… or were they?

Professional licenses, certifications, and credentials should be verified as part of every company’s policy on background checks.  A small oversight can lead to large headaches.

Questions about background checks?  Call 770-426-0547 or click here.

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A Loss Prevention Investigator for your major case – Atlanta Georgia

December 30, 2010 by

If your business is experiencing a major loss, of merchandise, assets, cash, or all of the above, you may need the expertise of a loss prevention investigator .

A loss prevention investigator is a trained professional that knows how to look at the various aspects of your business and figure out what the loss is that you are experiencing.  The first step in an investigation of this type is to determine if there is an issue, and what specifically that issue is.

Once the type of loss has been identified, research can be conducted to figure out the extent of the loss your business is experiencing.  More often than not, there is an initial red flag that alerts you to a shrinkage issue in your business, and then once research is conducted it is discovered that the extent of the loss is much more far reaching.  This is not what a business owner would like to hear – that the problem is even worse than originally anticipated.

This is why a loss prevention investigator is an excellent resource to utilize in these types of investigations.  The investigator is trained to dig deep into your business and document the shrinkage issues into a workable case file.  Once the investigation is complete, the investigator can refer the case to the proper authorities for prosecution, if that is desired.

A loss prevention investigator , after identifying the problem, will interview witnesses and other employees to gather more information.  Once this is complete, the investigator will interview the suspected employee. 

Investigators are trained to conduct these types of interviews and interrogations that are appropriate for a retail environment.

When your business experiences an employee theft case, bring in an expert – a loss prevention investigator .  Your business’s profits will thank you and grow as a result.

For more information about loss prevention consultants, loss prevention consultants contact us: loss prevention investigator or call 1.770.426.256 – Atlanta Georgia

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