Employee Theft Investigations…What is your policy?

No matter if your business is big or small; you should have a policy for employee theft investigation.  There are many definitions of employee theft; stealing, falsifying documents, theft from possessions of customers, embezzlement.  According to the US Chamber of Commerce,  employee theft is costing American businesses $40 billion dollars annually.  Yes, that was BILLION with a B!!

Employee theft investigations can be tricky. The first precaution is always using a third party investigator.  But how will your employees know if they are breaking the rules?  You should always have a WRITTEN employee theft POLICY.  This policy will outline disciplinary actions and also define what stealing is!

Then you should have a written policy outlining how the employee theft investigation will be done.  For instance, have the policy outline things such as how personal articles would be searched in the event of an investigation.  Also outline how things such as lockers or company property should be treated and used.  Even misuse of a company computer can be considered employee theft, but actions such as these would be very hard to terminate based on that if a policy is not in place.

Lastly, always ensure that your management team leads by example.  If an employee theft investigation is underway, but management has never led by example and always violates the written policy, you may not have any leg to stand on to prosecute or terminate.

For additional information on employee theft investigation, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.

Checkpoint Systems leads the anti shoplifting technology market

Checkpoint Systems out of New Jersey is the world’s leading manufacturer of Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems helping retailers all over the globe reduce retail theft and increase profits.

The reason lies in the technology.   Checkpoint systems are based on radio frequency (RF) vs. the older accousto magnetic (AM) technology used by Tyco’s Sensormatic systems.  The RF system offers multiple advantages, one of the most used is the virtually unlimited use of labels.

Many retailers buy blank labels and print their pricing information directly on the  checkpoint labels.  This reduces labor and increases security at the same time.

Checkpoint systems labels can be custom printed in bulk to include logo art, safety instruction or just about anything you could want, which disguises the security tag.

RF technology is the leading technology in retail inventory management as well with the increasing use of RFID.  Retailers are currently using RFID to scan/ read product as it enters the dock and it immediately gets logged into inventory.  The technology exists to read the RF labels on products while on the shelf which will allow retailers to do instant store wide inventory or automate ordering based on shelf stock.

Checkpoint systems also can integrate into POS systems for various benefits, one being only deactivating labels that are actually scanned into the register.  This eliminates thieves running merchandise over an unoccupied counter to deactivate a labels and steal the product.

To learn more go to checkpoint systems

Handling Customer Alarms of a Checkpoint Security Systems

What do you do if a customer alarms your  checkpoint security systems. Follow the steps below:

  1. Approach the customer and in a friendly manner state “Excuse me, we may not have checked out your purchase properly. Please step back into the store, and we’ll get that taken care of.”
  2. Ask for the customer’s bag – never grab it.
  3. Walk purchase through the  checkpoint security systems antennas/ pedestals to verify alarm.
  4. Check merchandise against receipt.
  5. If merchandise all checks out – pass the items over the deactivation pad again.
  6. If there is merchandise that was not purchased – ask the customer if they would like to purchase it at this time.
    purchased – ask customer if they would
    like to purchase it at this time.

Another way to remember this process when approaching a customer is to use the “vowels” of alarm response:

A Address the customer.  “Excuse me sir/madam,”

E Explain what happened.  “…We seemed to have failed to deactivate an inventory control label from your merchandise…”

I Invite the customer back into the store…Would you mind stepping back inside the store with me so I may assist you…”

O Offer an apology. “…I am very sorry for this inconvenience.”

U Understand what alarmed the system.

Training, common sense and your  checkpoint security systems will reduce shoplifting substantially.

Employment Criminal Background Checks…Necessary?

Is an employee criminal background check really necessary? As a former Police Officer I came into contact with people every day that were not fit to be in the same community as the good people in society. This included individuals that caused serious injuries to others. They used weapons to harm, kill, rape and steal. The list goes on and on. I learned quickly that these people cared about themselves ONLY and most had no remorse even when caught.

Then as a loss prevention professional for several major businesses I have personally investigated over 2300 employees for mainly employee theft. I found that many of those same people are in the workforce. I guess the primary impression I have come away with from that is this: These types of employees WILL steal from a business and smile while they are doing it. The only remorse that the majority had was that they were caught. This applies to all ages, sex, race, religion….

Now add this to the fact that many different studies over the years conducted by many different organizations boils down to this: Approximately 20% of the work force has stolen from their employer. This is one in five of the people in the work force today and that work for you! You may not wish to believe this but it is FACT. And we are only talking about theft. This does not include other crimes.

Is an employment criminal background check necessary? It is not just necessary it is an absolute requirement, no compromise. Unless you do not mind wasting money, time, labor and loss of your cash and merchandise to learn the hard way.

Oh, by the way if you hire someone that is violent or prone to it and they injure, kill or harm in any way another employee or customer you will be held liable. Saying I didn’t know does not hold water. The courts lean towards the fact that you should have conducted a criminal background check because they are readily available at low cost.

I forgot to mention, I have seen hundreds of managers and business owners that have said something to me like “I know people, I don’t have people like that working for ME”. They are the ones that are really at danger because their ego out weighs their business sense. Remember one in five!

Don’t compromise on employment screening!

For more information on employee background checks contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Anti Theft Devices Boost Profits and Keep Shoplifters Out

It is a proven fact that installing anti theft devices in retail applications will deter shoplifters sending them on to unprotected stores.  Retailers frustrated by theft often overlook how less inventory loss translates to more profits.  Lost inventory ends up affecting operating costs.  Just stating the obvious, higher costs means lower profits.  Lower costs mean higher profits.  You can make more money without having to sell more product.

The most effective solution that keeps the riff raff out of store is the installation of an Electronic Article Surveillance (or EAS) system.   Checkpoint security systems is the market leader in EAS systems.  The system includes installing pedestal mounted antennas at the entry/ exit ways.  These antennas are visible from just outside the door so shoplifters scoping out a potential target can see them before entering the store, and at that time will move on to another target.

The presence of anti shoplifting technology such as checkpoint security tags on clothes and merchandise in the store will deter the amateur shoplifter and the impulse shoplifter from stealing.  The checkpoint security tags are detected by the antennas at the doorways and will set off a loud alarm and flashing light alerting staff to attend to the situation.

The tag alarm on merchandise can only be removed by a specific tool that is mounted behind the cash out counter.  The tag alarm is highly visible and is a great visual deterrent.

To learn more about checkpoint security systems  anti shoplifting solutions visit here: anti theft devices or contact: Loss Prevention Systems, Inc., a national installation company.

Checkpoint Security System Preventative Maintenance

A Checkpoint security system is not a set it and forget it system.  Electronic article surveillance systems (EAS)  react to their environments and will need periodic servicing to keep in top operating condition.

Changes in store and fixture layout, external interference, wear, tear or abuse reduce the system’s performance. For example moving shelving or a display to close could cause intermittent alarms. We attached our laptop with factory software and re-tune the system each time we visit.

As Checkpoint makes upgrades to the firm wear we download those updates to your system. This means that as Checkpoint’s Research and Development makes improvements you get the benefit.

You get all of this and more from a Loss Prevention Systems Preventative Maintenance Agreement.

A Checkpoint security system is professionally installed and designed for many years of reliable performance if properly maintained.

For more information checkpoint security system or call 1.770.426.0547

Checkpoint Security Systems Used For Promotions

Checkpoint Security Systems antennas used as promotional tools!

By using AD PANNELS you can advertise a current sale or an up coming sale right at the door when your customer walks in.

Loss Prevention Systems Ad panels attach to  existing Checkpoint Security Systems antennas and can display any information you desire.

Put your store brand, logo, sales or other special information on the ad panel.

ad panel peppers

You can place information on just one or both sides.

Another added benifit is that ad panels help protect your Checkpoint Antenna from damage.

Want to “ad” a new look?

For more information:

Checkpoint Security Systems

or call

1.770.426.0547

Clothing security tags with ink

Really cool clothing security tags

Imagine this, a shoplifter in your clothing area wants to steal a dress. They conceal the item and leave your store. They are not suspected or caught. Will they be back? Oh yeah!

Now imagine that when they get home (somewhere under a rock) that they pull out their prize and discover a Checkpoint Chekink tag attached. OK now what?

 They will have to try to remove the clothing security tags forcefully. When they do, long before the tag is broken off the two vials of pressurized ink/dye rupture and spread on the dress. Because they are pressurized the ink does not just seep out.

But wait; let’s put the entire dress and Chekink tag in the freezer. Once we freeze the tag we try to then force it off. Sorry, we thought of that. The ink/dye in the glass vials are made with an anti-freeze solution. Oops, still pressurized and still liquid.

But what about accidents by store personnel? Wont we ruin merchandise sometimes? The amount of force to break the vials is pretty high and normal use does not pose a problem. Hit them with a hammer and we may have a problem. These are clothing security tags with a little something extra. Oh and by the way they work by themselves or with any checkpoint security system hard tag!

For more information: Contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Atlanta Area Convenience Store Employees Caught In Theft Of Over $121,000 In Lottery Tickets & Cash

The owner of a Metro Atlanta area convenience store chain contacted us with a suspicion that several employees may be involved in lottery theft based on serious irregularities in the company’s books. We began an employee theft investigation.

To develop investigative information, our loss prevention investigator installed two covert closed circuit TV cameras covering the cashiers’ area and the lottery machine. Video confirmed that the store manager, who had been employed for several years, was routinely stealing large quantities of lottery scratch off tickets.

A second employee was found to be stealing cash from sales by accepting cash from a customer, making change from the register, then pocketing the cash.

Based on the information collected, the manager was interviewed by our loss prevention investigator . The Atlanta area convenience store manager admitted stealing lottery tickets totaling $111,150.00 and cash in the amount of $6,500.00. The money was taken to pay bills and for a “gambling problem” over a period of the previous 2 years.

The second employee was interviewed as well by our loss prevention investigator . This employee admitted stealing approximately $3400.00 in cash over the previous year by not ringing sales up and pocketing the money. The employee did this for “spending money”. This employee also admitted knowledge of the manager’s lottery activities. This individual had been employed for a year and a half.

Contact us at: loss prevention investigator or in the Atlanta area call 1.770.426.0547

 

Corporate Fraud Investigator Finds Atlanta Assistant Manager Steals A Little Of Everything!

Our corporate fraud investigator initiated an employee theft investigation at the request of the Vice President of a local Atlanta retail store chain. The VP stated to that he had discovered information that an Assistant Manager (AM) of one of their metro Atlanta stores may be involved in internal theft and the destruction and of $305 in merchandise.

To gather additional information and investigative leads our corporate fraud investigator interviewed another Assistant Manager. She stated that she had observed the fellow AM give away merchandise to hourly employees. She also stated that she had observed him steal and consume candy offered for sale by the store. She had not considered this to be internal theft.

Another informational interview was conducted with an Hourly Employee. He stated that he had been given store merchandise by the AM to take home without payment. He also stated that he and other associates had been directed by the AM to throw away merchandise that the AM said were discontinued. He also said the volume of merchandise filled the dumpster. In addition he said that on another occasion after a customer complaint situation that the AM directed him to lie to the District Manager.

An interview was conducted by our corporate fraud investigator with the AM. During the interview he admitted to the theft of $300 in merchandise, $1800 in cash and the destruction and give away of $12,000 in merchandise. He stated that he stole merchandise for his own use and that he routinely consumed candy without payment. His last employee theft was the day before his interview.   He said that he stole cash via fraudulent refunds, post voids and by taking overages from the POS. He could not give a reason for his internal theft.

The AM also stated that he destroyed merchandise to clean up the store rather than going through the markdown procedure. He estimates that he discarded approximately 480 items valued at $25 each over several weeks.

All information and investigative facts developed during this employee theft investigation were turned over to the Vice President. The AM was terminated and criminal charges were filed with a local Atlanta police department.

To stop employee theft you must have systems in place to catch even small discrepancies. Don’t ignore this information.  The information about a small issue may lead to a much larger loss, which is typical in employee theft investigations.

In Atlanta contact us about corporate fraud investigator or call 1.770.426.0547