Wikipedia defines white-collar crime as “a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation”. We have found that this kind crime is not just reserved for the Senior Management of a business or retail establishment. Department Heads, Assistant Managers and Managers are frequently involved in white-collar crime.
We have investigated thousands of people in these positions. This type of management has access to cash, inventory, bookkeeping records and deposits. They can make changes to records and inventory and are in fact expected to do so in a legitimate business situation.
Because of this access and trust there are some that end up committing white collar crime by voiding sales, modifying the accounting records, stealing inventory and depositing checks to their own account in order to steal cash and merchandise.
The reasons for this type of theft are as diverse as the people committing white-collar crime. Not only are the standard “excuses” there such as drugs, gambling and plain old greed but others as well. For example during this time of economic problems we are finding that a spouse that is out of work puts pressure on the family finances since the possibility of finding a job is bleak. People are also justifying theft because they are used to a certain level of income, which brings with it “toys” that they now can’t afford.
How does an employer protect it self from white-collar crime? To begin with the hiring process must screen out candidates that have high-risk backgrounds. Some of these include:
- Termination from a previous job for theft
- The candidates credit record shows a poor history. If they cannot manage their own money do you really want them managing yours? There are some exceptions such as a massive medical problem. But beyond that type of issue a poor credit record tells you how they manage their life.
- Traffic violations beyond an occasional speeding ticket. DUI’s, reckless driving and frequent accidents will also tell you about the person.
- Criminal histories also give us a window into a person’s mindset. I am not talking about the check they bounced in college for pizza. Assaults, fighting, domestic violence, drunk and disorderly type incidents show that a person is not in control of themselves. And of course convictions for serious crimes such as robbery, murder, rape and kidnapping are not only showing us that the person is out of control but is a high-risk liability for an employer. If you hire someone like this and they commit any crime against your employees or customers and you will most likely be held liable.
- Testing candidates with one of the many employment-screening tools that sort out people that are prone to theft are very effective.
- Drug testing
- Conducting several interviews by more than one management person skilled in pre-employment interviewing.
- Do not forget checking references. This tends to get down played but it has merit. Insist on references with previous co-workers, supervisors, teachers and others beyond the ones that are listed on the resume. Ask for more and specify the type.
White-collar crime will never go away, ever. Protect your self by being proactive.
Checkpoint security systems provide a very strong deterrent to all levels of shoplifters. This includes the impulse, amateur and professional shoplifters. But employee involvement is critical. Many times we install a Checkpoint security systems and the retailer feels that they have solved all their shoplifting problems. This is far from the truth.
Employees understand the basic operation of the Checkpoint security systems installed. The most common problem is that employees are not trained and held accountable for alarms when they occur.
In many cases the Checkpoint system will alarm and an employee will just wave the customer (or shoplifter) through. Even worse they will say the system is not working properly. Because of a lack of training or confidence the employee just told everyone in range that they can shoplift to their hearts content…. and will just be waved on.
Loss Prevention Systems provides on site training when we install our Checkpoint security systems. We also provide our customers with training documents that allow you to keep the training on going.
How often should you train and provide follow up training to your employees on the use of your Checkpoint security system? You decide. It depends on how much money you are willing to loose.
Checkpoint has release several new tags. One of the most exciting is the EP-3210 Clear Poly (Enhanced Performance). This tag is “see-thru”. Checkpoint has really outdone itself this time!
This tag can be placed directly over the barcode on a product. The barcode can then be read directly through the tag. But there is more. The EP-3210 Clear Poly pretty much disappears once in place. Yes the circuit of the tag is visible but in the tests we have run the tag blends into many products packaging.
Checkpoint truly is the innovator in the Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) market. The new line of EP tags include two sizes of round tags which are great for small boxes or bottles and have no corners that may have to wrap around the edges. Other sizes include the postage stamp size and the EP-410, which is the same size as the traditional 410 tag.
But why use the new EP tags? This series gives the BEST performance of any 8.2 tags in the market, period end of sentence!
All Checkpoint security tags deliver performance well above any other manufacture. The adhesive is aggressive and wont give out and cause the tag to fall off the merchandise. When a Checkpoint security tag is deactivated… it is deactivated. It will not re-activate on it’s own. Reactivated tags are common with non-Checkpoint and cause embarrassing alarms when your customer attempts to exit your store after a legitimate purchase.
Loss Prevention Systems carries the entire Checkpoint security tag line including the EP-3210 Clear Poly. Call us today. 1-770-426-0547.
It happens every day. Shoplifters steal clothing from retail stores. How do you stop it? The solution is very simple. Achieve true clothing security by using a Checkpoint anti shoplifting system.
A tag is attached to the garment to be protected. This tag can only be removed by store personnel. The tag is then removed at the cash wrap and the customer proceeds on their way. You cannot achieve clothing security any easier than that.
Oh want more clothing security? Add an ink tag! Ink tags release a permanent dye if tampered with. The shoplifter really has to work on the item to get the ink tag to break and spread the ink so accidents are rare.
Still more? Drop a soft tag/label into a pocket! This gives you double coverage. This is anti shoplifting at it’s best.
Don’t let the shoplifters control your store. Take it back with anti shoplifting clothing security by Loss Prevention Systems and Checkpoint. 1.770.426.0547
It’s not hard to figure out if you keep some anti shoplifting basics in mind:
· Early in the morning, just after opening because what are you focused on? Opening the store, getting the cash into the drawer, dealing with problems from the day before and most important that first cup of coffee.
· On busy days because shoplifters like to blend into a crowd. They do not want to stand out. They will dress and act like your average customer.
· When a sales floor is unattended. What else can you say to this except “duh” do not leave the sales floor unattended. Any anti shoplifting methods stop with out employees.
· At closing time. Like at opening we are focused on wrapping up the day, counting the drawers, straightening up for tomorrow, securing the store and of course going home.
In other words shoplifters steal anytime WE give them the opportunity. Any anti shoplifting program will not work without a little planning and common sense.
