The Importance of Pre Employment Screening

November 18, 2010 by

People always ask me if I believe that employee background checks are really necessary and I always reply with the same story: A couple of years ago I interviewed a young man who was absolutely perfect for the position. He was professional, knowledgeable and eager to get to work. So I had him fill out all the necessary paperwork and sent him for a drug screening.

Several days later my GM walks into my office wearing a huge grin, he could hardly contain himself. He slid a single sheet of paper across the desk to me; drug screening results. Before I could read it he blurted out “There were so many drugs in his system he nearly burnt a hole in the cup!” I was slightly embarrassed to have advocated such an obviously bad choice, but extremely relieved to find out about his history prior to hiring him.

Employee background checks include background and criminal checks, psychometric testing and, of course, the afore mentioned drug screenings. Due to a sharp increase in security concerns, corporate scandals and workplace violence the use of a criminal background check has gone up from 66% in 1996 to over 96% today according to The Society for Human Resource Management Workplace Violence Survey. Unfortunately we no longer live in a society where a couple of phone calls to someone’s previous employer is enough to determine their suitability for employment in your organization.

Today a company can be held liable for the actions of an employee and risk a potential negligent-hiring lawsuit, especially if they did not perform employee background checks . Additionally you may learn vital information such as a history of mental instability or numerous previous worker’s compensation claims that may influence your decision on bringing an individual into your organization. Whether we like it or not, the world is changing and in the present job climate a pre employment screening should be a mandatory part of your hiring practices.

For more information about our background check company contact us: employee background checks or call 1.770.426.0547

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EMPLOYEE THEFT…CAN YOU PASS THE TRIVIA CHALLENGE? – Atlanta Georgia

November 18, 2010 by Leave a Comment

There are literally hundreds of ways employee theft can take place.  Let’s play trivia!  Can you name the top 5 employee theft types?  Well you don’t have to because here’s the list, CASH, MERCHANDISE, HOURS, EXPENSES, AND OFFICE SUPPLIES.

Cash – If you have a retail operation, it’s very important that employees are not allowed to work from the same register or petty cash areas.  It’s extremely difficult if they are all lumped together to find the responsible party if cash comes up missing.  Cash theft can encompass company credit cards, tips from other employees, return/exchange theft from transactions and a variety of other schemes.

Merchandise – It is amazing but statistics show that it is often management of retail stores that commit employee theft by taking merchandise.  Not only employees but the upper level management team may be very tempted to slip something in a pocket, purse or car and take off with it!

Hours – There are many companies out there still using manual time cards.  The pen and paper method makes it easy for employees to pad their hours, showing more time than they actually worked.

Expenses – Expense reports are a little harder to fake due to attaching receipts, however there are several ways to get around that.  For instance, an employee can add mileage to trips or additional tip percentages to meals.

Office Supplies – This seems like an insignificant issue for employee theft , however if you have a very large company it can become quite costly.  On the flip side, if you are a small employer and you only purchase one box of pens, all of them are “borrowed”, then your expenses double for office supplies for that item.

Have theft issues in the workplace? For more information contact us at employee theft or call 1.770.426.0547

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Protect you merchandise and your profits, use Checkpoint Security Systems

November 17, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Checkpoint security systems are a great security feature to add to your store. Consider this as an investment in effort to boost your profits.

I had a of chain drug stores that was looking for the right features to install. They researched the benefits of checkpoint security systems and decided it was the right fit. The stores had been experiencing a lot of shoplifters and were at a loss. They had a loss prevention agent working their stores but he couldn’t be in store all day long. They needed a solution to protect the stores when the stores were least covered. A checkpoint security system was their answer.

The store installed anti theft devices on the areas like aspirin, health and beauty, baby products, and men’s razors. Retail anti theft devices included the implementation of checkpoint tags and checkpoint labels . The checkpoint labels were affixed to the merchandise and placed on the shelves.

In as little as one month, the decrease in the amount of loss was such that their sales increased. How is this possible? Simple. Keeping merchandise in stores means the merchandise is available for purchase. Now that the checkpoint security system was in place, the chain saw a 5% sales increase in this market.

Now I know that a checkpoint security system is not the answer to all of your stores losses, but I’ll tell you from experience, checkpoint security systems work.

Looking at the checkpoint systems from an internal aspect, employee theft can be reduced with the introduction of checkpoint systems . Employees that steal from their employers are like shoplifters, they want privacy. They don’t want to be suspected of theft. They are usually the most “chatty” with management; they’ll look management right in the face and lie about theft. Yet, when an employee decides they want to steal, they’ll also have to spend time thinking about how they can defeat the checkpoint systems .

For more information about checkpoint labels or checkpoint systems contact us at Checkpoint Security Systems or call 1.770.426.0547

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Added security to your apparel line

November 17, 2010 by

Thinking of adding clothing security tags to your merchandise? I can offer some advice to help guide your decision.

I’ve worked in apparel retailers for years. I have the seen, first hand, the benefits of using security tags on clothes . Retailers for years have been wrestling with the many ways to protect their clothing. The reality of it is nothing works better for clothing security than a clothing security tags program.

In today’s society, groups of professional shoplifters will identify retailers with little to no security features on their clothing and do what’s called a grab and run. They simple walk a store, grab merchandise and run out of the store. If your clothing has no type of security devices, namely clothing security tags , you’ve just done yourself and the retail community a disservice. These thieves will back over and over until you put in place a security program or close your business forever.

As always, thieves prefer privacy, even the professionals. They want to get in and out of your store with as little recognition as possible. If your merchandise has security tags on clothes , thieves cannot get the privacy they want.

As an example, a retailer I worked for had been tossing the idea of putting  security tags on clothes . They had been hit by thieves in the past but hadn’t really seen the true loss. One week, downtown area stores reported over 50 grab and run type incidents. These stores screamed for some sort of help. A small investment was made, and the store installed a clothing security program. Now, when these professional shoplifters entered the store again, and saw merchandise had the clothing security tags , they stopped their activities. Does this happen every time? No. Is there a guarantee? No. However, what are you doing to stop your losses and boost your profits?

For more information on clothing security tags , security tags on clothes or clothing alarm visit us at clothing security or call 1.770.426.0547

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Looking for Loss Prevention Consultants? – Atlanta Georgia

November 17, 2010 by

Are you a business owner looking for loss prevention consultants to help you identify losses?  Let me shed some light on these professionals.

Loss prevention consultants were hired recently at a small chain of hardware stores. The stores had been experiencing some severe shrinkage, as identified through the results of a recent inventory cycle. Wanting to help keep the small company profitable, the loss prevention consultants offered advice.

First, the store was recommended a loss prevention agent . For the past year, the stores have seen an increase in shoplifter activity and in many instances these shoplifters have taken very expensive equipment. The consultants detailed the loss prevention agent program and put together a plan of attack. To help the loss prevention agent increase his/her productivity and to additionally help the stores protect their assets, the recommendations to install CCTV equipment at the point of sale, at entrance and exits and in the receiving department.

Next, the loss prevention consultants reviewed the potential for internal theft. They noticed that in the evenings, the management was less involved with store employees and sometimes seemed to be non-existent on the salesfloor. Knowing that evenings are a very important time in the retail world, the consultants recommended bringing in a loss prevention investigator . A loss prevention investigator would be assigned the task of employee theft investigation. Although the management felt their employees would never steal, the consultants knew employee theft investigation could turn large results.

The loss prevention investigator was tasked with performing store surveillance in the evenings and at odd hours. Additionally, the loss prevention investigator was to report any and all finding to the consultants for documentation. The loss prevention investigator was also given access to the stores electronic journals to review transactions in the store and over CCTV.

The management agreed to the recommendations, and the loss prevention program was rolled out. Immediate results were produced by the loss prevention agent . Shoplift activity slowed. The loss prevention investigator also turned in positive results and uncovered several employees including one manager involved in merchandise and cash theft.

For more information visit us at loss prevention consultants or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

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Loss Prevention Security & Point of Sale – Atlanta Georgia

November 17, 2010 by Leave a Comment

One of the most important parts of loss prevention security is what happens at the point of sale. It has become quite common in this day and age for a shoplifter to conceal a great deal of merchandise on their person, bags, and etc. then walk boldly up to the cash register and purchase a single item. This is almost always done in an attempt to allay suspicion. Your point of sale associates need to be mindful of this fact and aware of any bulges in clothing or abnormally stuffed bags. A thief will also often attempt to stash merchandise underneath shopping carts, out of view of the cashier. Cashiers should make it a regular practice to check the bottom of all shopping carts for this reason. 

            Point of sale is also where your loss prevention security will find a great deal of employee theft taking place. Whether it is someone taking money from the register, giving fake discounts or simply slipping extra merchandise to friends and family these actions all happen right at the point of sale. With all of this activity going on in one place how is your loss prevention security supposed to keep track of all of it? Well, there are 2 very simple tools that can make your life much easier. 

            First of all, you should have cameras facing each and every point of sale location. Keep these cameras in plain sight so the associates are aware that they are being watched. Second, utilize your register journal. This electronic journal that allows the loss prevention security to see a transaction as it is occurring live. Thus, it enables them to see if an item has been bagged and not rung in, if any voids have been made or any discounts have been taken on merchandise. Point of sale surveillance should always be a priority to your loss prevention security personnel. 

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

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CORPORATE FRAUD INVESTIGATOR, DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS? – Atlanta Georgia

November 17, 2010 by Leave a Comment

In order to be a corporate fraud investigator , you may need skills you aren’t aware of.  It takes more than private investigator criminal catching know-how to be on the team that investigates corporate fraud.  There are a variety of crimes investigated by these individuals that range from tax evasion to embezzlement.

Corporate fraud crimes have a different scope, complexity and magnitude than your common everyday theft or fraud case contains.  The ramifications can have economic consequences for employees and communities and can often affect the entire investment market.

A corporate fraud investigator has to have accounting expertise.  They must be able to identify anomalies in vast company financial records and book keeping transactions.  They must have excellent computer skills.  Where else do you think all those accounting records will be store, yep you got it, on a computer.

The corporate fraud investigator needs to also be a bit of a computer “hacker”.  Often times important documents have been password protected or encrypted to prevent detection.

According to several online sources and our own people a corporate fraud investigator has on average between 5 and 20 years of experience. The hourly rate is dependent on the experience level of the individual.

Want more information on corporate fraud ? Contact us at corporate fraud investigator or call 1.770.426.0547. Atlanta Georgia

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Using a Background Check Company

November 16, 2010 by

The use of a background check company can come in handy for many reasons. Let’s face it, as a small business owner there is rarely, if ever, a time where you can say “I need to find something to do.” You’re as busy as a one-legged rock kicker and an employment screening can be time consuming. Therefore, outsourcing that task may be beneficial to you and your organization.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA, requires that you have all applicants sign a disclosure form authorizing you to perform employee background checks . In certain states you, the employer, are restricted from using certain information in the employment screening process. The American with Disabilities Act, or ADA, has their own set of rules restricting employers from using certain medical and disability information in the hiring process. There are even certain questions you are forbidden from asking during the interview process. Can you honestly say you’re well versed in all these rules and how they apply to you in the state which you do business? If not then the use of a background check company may be just the thing for you.

A background check company can assist you in finding accurate information on candidates and they should also be able to give you relevant legal advice on what information you can and can’t use during the hiring process. You have profit/ loss statements, inventory, employee performance and a litany of other issues to deal with. This is their only business, so it’s fair to assume they would be much more informed and thorough than you alone would be. Using a background check company can be an excellent tool to assist you in the accuracy of information and your own time management.

Employee background checks keep your company from making a fatal mistake in hiring.

For more information on employment screening , employee background checks or criminal background check contact us at background check company or call 1.770.426.0547

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Retailers and Checkpoint Security Systems

November 15, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Checkpoint security systems are a pretty common feature in retailers. However, there are still stores out there that have no Checkpoint Security system .

Let me try to explain a couple of the benefits to having a checkpoint security system in your store. Believe it or not, all retailers suffer from shoplifting. Regular customers steal from retailer’s every day. Checkpoint systems can help deter this type of loss.

From the visual aspect of checkpoint systems , the average shoplifter can be deterred. Shoplifters like privacy; they want to get in and out of a store without being acknowledged in anyway. Walking in to a store, a shoplifter will notice if your store has a checkpoint security system . This will automatically make the shoplifter alter his plans to get your merchandise out of the store. Now as the shoplifter moves through your store and makes his way to the merchandise he wants, he’ll have to deal with retail anti theft devices .

These retail anti theft devices can range from merchandise being locked on a peg hook to merchandise behind a sliding plastic cover. Either way, the shoplifter will again have to think twice, or alter his plans. So let’s say he gets the merchandise and heads to the front of the store. He’ll be thinking of the checkpoint security system as he looks ahead.

Checkpoint security systems offer a great solution to protecting your assets and boosting your profits regardless of the type of merchandise you sell.
I worked for a clothing retailer a few years ago that installed checkpoint security systems in a couple of their stores. The impact it had on shoplifting was very obvious.

The program this company went with as simple as placing security tags on clothes. They selected the most desirable items and started there. Placing security tags on clothes in the active wear section, the men’s department and juniors added extra protection.

For more information on Checkpoint Systems or anti shoplifting visit us at checkpoint security systems or call 1.770.426.0547

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Taking a look within – the role of a Loss Prevention Investigator – Atlanta

November 15, 2010 by

A loss prevention investigator can be brought into a business when there is a suspected loss caused by employee theft.  These types of cases need to be investigated and analyzed by those that are experts in the field of loss prevention and asset protection.

When a loss is discovered that is caused by an employee, the loss prevention investigator will analyze data, identify the extent of the loss, and use various reports to confirm the loss.  Once the loss has been pinpointed and a suspect identified, witnesses may be interviewed in an effort to build a case against the suspect.

In the same way police investigate cases, the loss prevention investigator explores all aspects of a case in order to build it into one that can be prosecuted if so desired.  Once a case is completed the investigator will probably conduct an accusatory interview of the identified suspect.

During an accusatory interview, the investigator will visit with the suspect and explain the situation, giving the suspect an opportunity to discuss their role in the loss the business has experienced.  A loss prevention investigator is trained to conduct these types of interviews.

Businesses that handle internal theft investigations, with or without an outside investigator, need to have a policy and set guidelines in place. Loss prevention consultants can help businesses create the type of protocol necessary to conduct a thorough and legal internal investigation.

Employing the expertise of loss prevention consultants and investigators is a sure way to develop a solid, legal, and prosecutable case against those employees that choose to betray your trust and steal from your business.

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

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