Retail anti-theft devices-5 WC blog 80
Prevent shoplifting-3
Are Your Alpha Hard Tags Used To Their Full Potential?
Retailers are constantly protecting their stores against theft and fraud by focusing much of their resources to prevent shoplifting. When I look back on my many years in the Loss Prevention field, I can reflect on how much of our retail anti-theft devices were geared to stop shoplifters. What I don’t see enough of is a focus on preventing internal theft. Here is what I mean; when you enter most national chain stores today you walk through electronic article surveillance antennas. You may look up and see yourself on a public view camera and monitor as you stop to pick up a shopping cart. It is possible you are greeted or at least acknowledged by some type of door greeter or security personnel. As you shop you find that many items are protected with anti-theft devices such as Alpha Spider Wrap and other Alpha hard tags. Even when an employee greets you in a department it is, in part, to make potential shoplifters aware that someone knows they are in the area. While retail anti-theft devices may prevent some internal theft, most retailers use them to prevent shoplifting. So, even if all of a store’s shoplifting prevention strategies work perfectly and all shoplifting is eliminated, only about 40 – 45 percent of losses are stopped. That store will still experience approximately 45 percent of the remaining shortage due to internal theft. My point is I don’t believe stores use their protection devices to their maximum effectiveness.
I cannot recall in my experiences ever seeing loading dock doors or vendor entrance doors protected with electronic article surveillance antennas. Rarely have I seen employee entrances protected with EAS antennas. I have also seen stores where complacency has set in and when an employee is exiting through the main doors where EAS antennas are located, if the alarm goes off, no one pays too much attention. My concern with backroom areas and vendor doors is that your vendors and employees go in and out and if someone is dishonest, it is the perfect location to take out merchandise that is protected with retail anti-theft devices. An employee can leave stolen merchandise outside and have it picked up by a friend. A vendor could be taking out boxes and have merchandise hidden. How thorough are your loading dock procedures in checking on vendors when they leave your store?
Alpha hard tags are available to protect nearly any type of merchandise. Alpha has retail anti-theft devices for clothing, electronics, health and beauty products, eyewear and even the hang tags for peg hook merchandise. Many of these devices are tamper proof and all will work with a store EAS system. They have little value to a store if there is no EAS antenna at a door to sound an alarm if a device is walked out through that door. This is where I believe stores do themselves a disservice by failing to protect even the backdoors and employee entrances with EAS antennas. If almost half of your store losses are due to employee theft, wouldn’t it make sense to protect those doors used primarily by employees?
You may be thinking to yourself, “Why do I need to spend money on antennas for my back doors? Only my managers can open it and we have policies that don’t allow the door to be left unattended.” I would point out that in my nearly 20 years of Loss Prevention experience I have seen countless violations of security procedures. There are always justifications such as, “We are supposed to keep the compactor locked, but a manager doesn’t have time to come back here every time someone needs to throw something out.” Or, “We don’t allow employees to use the vendor door to go outside for smoke breaks.” Yet during overnight surveillances of overnight teams I would see exactly these violations. It’s always easy to say a policy prevents dishonesty but oddly enough, I rarely found that dishonest employees were entirely concerned about following policies. You may think employee package checks are thorough or back doors are always monitored when opened but I can assure you a dishonest employee could be getting merchandise out and you would not know it. Alpha hard tags would activate antennas at those doors if employees or vendors were sneaking merchandise out, whether the merchandise is hidden or not.
Don’t allow your retail anti-theft devices to be used at only fifty percent of their potential. Prevent shoplifting AND employee theft at the same time. Secure ALL of your doors with EAS antennas and protect all of your products with Alpha products and watch your shrinkage shrink!
For more information on retail anti-theft devices, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Retailers are constantly protecting their stores against theft and fraud by focusing much of their resources to prevent shoplifting. When I look back on my many years in the Loss Prevention field, I can reflect on how much of our retail anti-theft devices were geared to stop shoplifters. What I don’t see enough of is a focus on preventing internal theft. Here is what I mean; when you enter most national chain stores today you walk through electronic article surveillance antennas. You may look up and see yourself on a public view camera and monitor as you stop to pick up a shopping cart. It is possible you are greeted or at least acknowledged by some type of door greeter or security personnel. As you shop you find that many items are protected with anti-theft devices such as Alpha Spider Wrap and other Alpha hard tags. Even when an employee greets you in a department it is, in part, to make potential shoplifters aware that someone knows they are in the area. While retail anti-theft devices may prevent some internal theft, most retailers use them to prevent shoplifting. So, even if all of a store’s shoplifting prevention strategies work perfectly and all shoplifting is eliminated, only about 40 – 45 percent of losses are stopped. That store will still experience approximately 45 percent of the remaining shortage due to internal theft. My point is I don’t believe stores use their protection devices to their maximum effectiveness.
I cannot recall in my experiences ever seeing loading dock doors or vendor entrance doors protected with electronic article surveillance antennas. Rarely have I seen employee entrances protected with EAS antennas. I have also seen stores where complacency has set in and when an employee is exiting through the main doors where EAS antennas are located, if the alarm goes off, no one pays too much attention. My concern with backroom areas and vendor doors is that your vendors and employees go in and out and if someone is dishonest, it is the perfect location to take out merchandise that is protected with retail anti-theft devices. An employee can leave stolen merchandise outside and have it picked up by a friend. A vendor could be taking out boxes and have merchandise hidden. How thorough are your loading dock procedures in checking on vendors when they leave your store?
Alpha hard tags are available to protect nearly any type of merchandise. Alpha has retail anti-theft devices for clothing, electronics, health and beauty products, eyewear and even the hang tags for peg hook merchandise. Many of these devices are tamper proof and all will work with a store EAS system. They have little value to a store if there is no EAS antenna at a door to sound an alarm if a device is walked out through that door. This is where I believe stores do themselves a disservice by failing to protect even the backdoors and employee entrances with EAS antennas. If almost half of your store losses are due to employee theft, wouldn’t it make sense to protect those doors used primarily by employees?
You may be thinking to yourself, “Why do I need to spend money on antennas for my back doors? Only my managers can open it and we have policies that don’t allow the door to be left unattended.” I would point out that in my nearly 20 years of Loss Prevention experience I have seen countless violations of security procedures. There are always justifications such as, “We are supposed to keep the compactor locked, but a manager doesn’t have time to come back here every time someone needs to throw something out.” Or, “We don’t allow employees to use the vendor door to go outside for smoke breaks.” Yet during overnight surveillances of overnight teams I would see exactly these violations. It’s always easy to say a policy prevents dishonesty but oddly enough, I rarely found that dishonest employees were entirely concerned about following policies. You may think employee package checks are thorough or back doors are always monitored when opened but I can assure you a dishonest employee could be getting merchandise out and you would not know it. Alpha hard tags would activate antennas at those doors if employees or vendors were sneaking merchandise out, whether the merchandise is hidden or not.
Don’t allow your retail anti-theft devices to be used at only fifty percent of their potential. Prevent shoplifting AND employee theft at the same time. Secure ALL of your doors with EAS antennas and protect all of your products with Alpha products and watch your shrinkage shrink!
For more information on retail anti-theft devices, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
THE GREAT DEBATE – CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS
I often hear the same questions from managers. “Should I used a hard tag, or label to secure product x?” Sometimes it is a no brainer depending on the item in question. The greatest debate I have internally is on securing apparel merchandise. What is more effective, a checkpoint tag, or a checkpoint label?
Remember that I am only speaking to apparel in this instance. For me, personally, I always go with the checkpoint tag. I can easily apply/remove the tag to whatever I want. I can recycle them in store and I can always “up” the level of security on certain high risk items by using something like an ink tag. It’s cost effective since I don’t have to keep re-ordering supplies, since we just reuse them in the store. I find that the hard tag is more visible, which provides a better deterrent to would-be thieves. The hard tags also come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, meaning I can always find a solution that blends in with the store merchandising plan.
Checkpoint labels are great in their own respect as well. One thing the tags can’t do is be priced and marked with a barcode. This ability, when paired with source tagging, really can help the store cut down on overhead costs. I can also covertly place labels on product, like inside the pockets of denim jeans, or under the brim of a hat.
The draw back on the Checkpoint tags is that if you’re not careful, you can wind up damaging the garment. If you have lazy employees who are careless, you will have some very unhappy customers. A thief with a descent set of pliers can easily defeat the tags if given enough opportunity. The tags are also very visible. While this has never been an issue for me, I know some retailers don’t like to have visible security measures, as they feel as it detracts from their branding and image.
Likewise, with Checkpoint labels, there are some points to consider as well. If a thief spots the tag, it can be removed rather easily. Unlike hard tags, they cannot be recycled in store. I’ve never had this be an issue for me, but for a smaller store it could be something to consider. The labels, however are a great “gateway” device into the world of physical security measures. For some stores, the labels alone will dry up most of their thefts. If they don’t, you can always look to upgrade to a different tool for any specific problems you may be having.
It is important for you, as a retailer to secure your apparel merchandise. Clothing is a magnet for thieves and if you’re un-protected, you will likely be seen as a soft target. While I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to the proper tagging of clothing, I think any good manager will see that a good product protection strategy would include both types of tags. You may get into a situation where a hard tag may not be appropriate, or won’t make sense. Likewise for a soft tag. That shouldn’t mean that the product goes unprotected, though. You have to do what makes sense in your store, for the specific merchandise that you carry. I hope you’ve found these points to be helpful as you continue to build your protection strategy and seek to eliminate losses caused by external theft.
For more information about Checkpoint Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
I often hear the same questions from managers. “Should I used a hard tag, or label to secure product x?” Sometimes it is a no brainer depending on the item in question. The greatest debate I have internally is on securing apparel merchandise. What is more effective, a checkpoint tag, or a checkpoint label?
Remember that I am only speaking to apparel in this instance. For me, personally, I always go with the checkpoint tag. I can easily apply/remove the tag to whatever I want. I can recycle them in store and I can always “up” the level of security on certain high risk items by using something like an ink tag. It’s cost effective since I don’t have to keep re-ordering supplies, since we just reuse them in the store. I find that the hard tag is more visible, which provides a better deterrent to would-be thieves. The hard tags also come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, meaning I can always find a solution that blends in with the store merchandising plan.
Checkpoint labels are great in their own respect as well. One thing the tags can’t do is be priced and marked with a barcode. This ability, when paired with source tagging, really can help the store cut down on overhead costs. I can also covertly place labels on product, like inside the pockets of denim jeans, or under the brim of a hat.
The draw back on the Checkpoint tags is that if you’re not careful, you can wind up damaging the garment. If you have lazy employees who are careless, you will have some very unhappy customers. A thief with a descent set of pliers can easily defeat the tags if given enough opportunity. The tags are also very visible. While this has never been an issue for me, I know some retailers don’t like to have visible security measures, as they feel as it detracts from their branding and image.
Likewise, with Checkpoint labels, there are some points to consider as well. If a thief spots the tag, it can be removed rather easily. Unlike hard tags, they cannot be recycled in store. I’ve never had this be an issue for me, but for a smaller store it could be something to consider. The labels, however are a great “gateway” device into the world of physical security measures. For some stores, the labels alone will dry up most of their thefts. If they don’t, you can always look to upgrade to a different tool for any specific problems you may be having.
It is important for you, as a retailer to secure your apparel merchandise. Clothing is a magnet for thieves and if you’re un-protected, you will likely be seen as a soft target. While I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to the proper tagging of clothing, I think any good manager will see that a good product protection strategy would include both types of tags. You may get into a situation where a hard tag may not be appropriate, or won’t make sense. Likewise for a soft tag. That shouldn’t mean that the product goes unprotected, though. You have to do what makes sense in your store, for the specific merchandise that you carry. I hope you’ve found these points to be helpful as you continue to build your protection strategy and seek to eliminate losses caused by external theft.
For more information about Checkpoint Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
RWHBLOG19
Shoplifting Overtakes Internal Theft: Leverage Alpha Keepers To Prevent Shoplifting
Shoplifting overtakes internal theft! Those are the headlines across loss prevention circles these days as it is the first time in many years that the greatest loss for retailers is attributed to shoplifting rather than internal theft. If that isn’t reason enough to make retailers stay up at night, one can always look at the loss prevention news sources and see how prevalent organized retail crime (ORC) has become. It was enough to worry about the kids in the neighborhood wanting to get their hands on the new game system release and selecting your store to do their shoplifting. Now you have to worry about an organized gang of criminals who do not just want one of your products, but want a large number of your products and will be fairly brazen and cunning to get their hands on them. To some extent we have always had ORC with the “Travelers” hitting stores across the country in large numbers for years. We have had criminal enterprises striving to get their hands on precursors for illicit drug manufacturing. Now we have to prevent shoplifting of all types of merchandise from razor blades to Microsoft Surface. We have to find new ways to prevent shoplifting through new retail anti-theft devices.
I can recall Travelers coming through town and going into stores in groups, keeping sales staff and clerks busy while the members of their family pushed racks of clothes out the door into a waiting van. More recently, I can recall a shoplifter coming into the store and taking 10 or 12 flash drives off the hooks and concealing them to go into the restroom and remove the EAS tags. We have also seen multiple shoplifters come into one of the stores in my area and remove the game from the game system case and leave the store with multiple games. The same thing has happened with music CDs more than once.
A company I worked for had a zero tolerance approach towards theft and fought back hard to protect their merchandise—much like we all should in light of those new statistics about shoplifting. To prevent shoplifting of their merchandise they partnered with a leader in the industry: Alpha Products, a division of Checkpoint Systems. Alpha keepers were used on merchandise that was determined to be high risk. These hardened alarmed polycarbonate cases provide the highest level of security in retail anti-theft devices. The cases require a special magnetic key to open and will activate EAS (electronic article surveillance) alarms when the shoplifter tries to leave with the merchandise without going through your checkout. These hardened Alpha keepers allow you to display your merchandise with no difficulty on hooks or on shelves with complete visibility of the product while still ensuring no one can tamper with the merchandise and open the packaging to remove the product. Basically, it also means that shoplifters can look but not touch!
Alpha keepers are available in a variety of sizes and different designs for specific products, including razor blades, infant formula, electronics, CDs, DVDs, games, fragrances, and health and beauty products to name a few. They are reusable with your cashier removing the keeper from the merchandise at checkout and recycling it back to place on other merchandise.
With shoplifting being our number one potential loss causing event, we need to ensure that we are not making it easy for shoplifters to leave with our merchandise. Utilize retail anti-theft devices to their maximum advantage and prevent shoplifting – be it by the neighborhood youth or by the professional organized retail criminal.
For more information on Alpha Keepers, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
Shoplifting overtakes internal theft! Those are the headlines across loss prevention circles these days as it is the first time in many years that the greatest loss for retailers is attributed to shoplifting rather than internal theft. If that isn’t reason enough to make retailers stay up at night, one can always look at the loss prevention news sources and see how prevalent organized retail crime (ORC) has become. It was enough to worry about the kids in the neighborhood wanting to get their hands on the new game system release and selecting your store to do their shoplifting. Now you have to worry about an organized gang of criminals who do not just want one of your products, but want a large number of your products and will be fairly brazen and cunning to get their hands on them. To some extent we have always had ORC with the “Travelers” hitting stores across the country in large numbers for years. We have had criminal enterprises striving to get their hands on precursors for illicit drug manufacturing. Now we have to prevent shoplifting of all types of merchandise from razor blades to Microsoft Surface. We have to find new ways to prevent shoplifting through new retail anti-theft devices.
I can recall Travelers coming through town and going into stores in groups, keeping sales staff and clerks busy while the members of their family pushed racks of clothes out the door into a waiting van. More recently, I can recall a shoplifter coming into the store and taking 10 or 12 flash drives off the hooks and concealing them to go into the restroom and remove the EAS tags. We have also seen multiple shoplifters come into one of the stores in my area and remove the game from the game system case and leave the store with multiple games. The same thing has happened with music CDs more than once.
A company I worked for had a zero tolerance approach towards theft and fought back hard to protect their merchandise—much like we all should in light of those new statistics about shoplifting. To prevent shoplifting of their merchandise they partnered with a leader in the industry: Alpha Products, a division of Checkpoint Systems. Alpha keepers were used on merchandise that was determined to be high risk. These hardened alarmed polycarbonate cases provide the highest level of security in retail anti-theft devices. The cases require a special magnetic key to open and will activate EAS (electronic article surveillance) alarms when the shoplifter tries to leave with the merchandise without going through your checkout. These hardened Alpha keepers allow you to display your merchandise with no difficulty on hooks or on shelves with complete visibility of the product while still ensuring no one can tamper with the merchandise and open the packaging to remove the product. Basically, it also means that shoplifters can look but not touch!
Alpha keepers are available in a variety of sizes and different designs for specific products, including razor blades, infant formula, electronics, CDs, DVDs, games, fragrances, and health and beauty products to name a few. They are reusable with your cashier removing the keeper from the merchandise at checkout and recycling it back to place on other merchandise.
With shoplifting being our number one potential loss causing event, we need to ensure that we are not making it easy for shoplifters to leave with our merchandise. Utilize retail anti-theft devices to their maximum advantage and prevent shoplifting – be it by the neighborhood youth or by the professional organized retail criminal.
For more information on Alpha Keepers, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
BG Check Company-3 , Employee BG Check-1 , Pre-Employment Screening-2
The Cost Of Background Checks
Some businesses choose not to perform any employee background checks on their potential candidates. They call the former employers that are listed, and perhaps the lineup of references given, and make their decision based on this. This could be perfectly fine, except for the fact that people will and do lie on their resumes every day. They exaggerate their previous work experience, or they fail to list specific employers because they did not leave that job on good terms. They claim to have never been terminated from any previous job, but truthfully, they’ve only listed the few they left from voluntarily. Don’t even get me started on references. Unless they are willing to just hand you their cell phone and let you randomly call their contacts, those hand-picked people they give you have most likely already been coached on what to tell you. You need the assistance of a proper background check company to really verify all the information this person has provided. When you look at all the costs associated with running a small business, paying for a quality pre-employment screening is well worth the investment.
I was talking to a friend that runs a small chain of convenience stores and here are a few of her hiring horror stories:
*A store kept getting broken into during the middle of the night. The criminal kept using the landscaping stones around the parking lot to break the glass out of the front door. Then they would go in and steal cartons of cigarettes from behind the counter. They seemed to know exactly how much time they had to get in and get out before the alarm would sound and alert the authorities. It turned out to be an employee that knew the alarm would activate in forty-five seconds, so he knew how quick he needed to be.
*My friend got an anonymous phone call tipping her off that an employee was selling boxes of merchandise out the back door of the store. They were supposedly selling some damaged products and some overstock items just to get it out of the store, but the employee was pocketing the money.
*One day she was on her way in early to complete some paperwork at one of the stores and came up on a guy on a bicycle. As she drove past him, she noticed he had a plastic bag with her store’s logo on it. When she arrived at the store, she found the back door had been jimmied open. Then it dawned on her that guy she saw was a new clerk that they had hired.
When she looks back at all the time and money spent on dealing with these internal theft issues, she wonders why it took so long to decide to start using a background check company to weed out these people. No matter how good they are at storytelling, a pre-employment screening will tell you the truth about a possible job candidate. Employee background checks are worth the cost when you consider what you could be paying for later if they turn out to be a crook. They could lie about their education level, their job experience, the reason they left former employers, and more. These could factor in to your decision on who to hire for your opening. It would be terribly wrong to hire someone based on the wrong data, and overlook a more qualified person that told the truth. People can fool you in an interview, but they can’t fool a background check company.
For more information on background checks, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Some businesses choose not to perform any employee background checks on their potential candidates. They call the former employers that are listed, and perhaps the lineup of references given, and make their decision based on this. This could be perfectly fine, except for the fact that people will and do lie on their resumes every day. They exaggerate their previous work experience, or they fail to list specific employers because they did not leave that job on good terms. They claim to have never been terminated from any previous job, but truthfully, they’ve only listed the few they left from voluntarily. Don’t even get me started on references. Unless they are willing to just hand you their cell phone and let you randomly call their contacts, those hand-picked people they give you have most likely already been coached on what to tell you. You need the assistance of a proper background check company to really verify all the information this person has provided. When you look at all the costs associated with running a small business, paying for a quality pre-employment screening is well worth the investment.
I was talking to a friend that runs a small chain of convenience stores and here are a few of her hiring horror stories:
*A store kept getting broken into during the middle of the night. The criminal kept using the landscaping stones around the parking lot to break the glass out of the front door. Then they would go in and steal cartons of cigarettes from behind the counter. They seemed to know exactly how much time they had to get in and get out before the alarm would sound and alert the authorities. It turned out to be an employee that knew the alarm would activate in forty-five seconds, so he knew how quick he needed to be.
*My friend got an anonymous phone call tipping her off that an employee was selling boxes of merchandise out the back door of the store. They were supposedly selling some damaged products and some overstock items just to get it out of the store, but the employee was pocketing the money.
*One day she was on her way in early to complete some paperwork at one of the stores and came up on a guy on a bicycle. As she drove past him, she noticed he had a plastic bag with her store’s logo on it. When she arrived at the store, she found the back door had been jimmied open. Then it dawned on her that guy she saw was a new clerk that they had hired.
When she looks back at all the time and money spent on dealing with these internal theft issues, she wonders why it took so long to decide to start using a background check company to weed out these people. No matter how good they are at storytelling, a pre-employment screening will tell you the truth about a possible job candidate. Employee background checks are worth the cost when you consider what you could be paying for later if they turn out to be a crook. They could lie about their education level, their job experience, the reason they left former employers, and more. These could factor in to your decision on who to hire for your opening. It would be terribly wrong to hire someone based on the wrong data, and overlook a more qualified person that told the truth. People can fool you in an interview, but they can’t fool a background check company.
For more information on background checks, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Alpha Thunder Tags-3 WC blog 68
i-pad theft-4
tablet theft-4
Classic N10 -4
Alpha Thunder Tags And Classic N10 Antennas Keep Medical Mobile Devices From Walking Out The Door.
As I get older I find I am regularly amazed at the rate technology changes. I remember when (don’t you cringe when you hear “I remember when”?) portable phones were in big carrying bags that you took with you in your car. Pagers came out and it was great to be able to get a page from my loss prevention team telling me they needed me to call the store. Now I experience the friendly banter of co-workers making fun of my flip phone. Two-way wrist communicators were the stuff of imagination when I watched Dick Tracy cartoons as a child. Now there are Fitbits that are worn on the wrist providing health information, activity, nutritional information, weight and even sleep activity. Polaroid cameras were awesome, providing instant pictures with no need to wait to take in film for development. Digital cameras came along and now I can upload pictures straight to my desktop computer! I know what you’re thinking, “how cool is that?” What you’re really saying is, I can take a picture or video on my i-phone or tablet, and upload to the cloud and access it on my laptop from anywhere I happen to be at the time, what is this guy talking about? Yes, I do really use a desktop computer and I do have a flip phone. On the other hand, I also work in an academic library where we do work with students and the newer technologies. The main point I am making is technology is growing at amazing rates and with it the applications for those technologies. This is true for almost every field of endeavor, including the medical field. Today Doctors, nurses, medical students and pharmacists are becoming more reliant on mobile medical devices, including i-pads and tablets. The use of these devices does warrant some cause for concern, such as, what happens if there is an i-pad theft or tablet theft from a medical provider? Can the loss of these devices be prevented? An electronic article surveillance system and the use of Alpha Thunder Tags can protect mobile medical devices and with them the information they carry.
Today doctors can access patient electronic medical records (EMRs), and there are apps that can allow them to view MRIs and CAT scans. The physician can pull up the scans and view them on the device with the patient. Through devices doctors can ask staff to change I.V. settings or change or request record orders. Despite assurances that data is “secure”, there is always the potential for someone to gain access to records should an i-pad theft or tablet theft occur. In prior articles I have listed numerous known breaches of medical information and losses of medical devices. Medical facilities can prevent such theft by installing Checkpoint Classic N10 electronic article surveillance antennas at entrances and exits and having Alpha Thunder Tags attached to mobile medical devices. The Classic N10 antenna does not take up much doorway space so it won’t hinder patients or staff entering or exiting the building. What it will do is activate a loud alarm and flashing LED lights if there is an attempted i-pad theft. The alarm alerts staff that a tablet theft is taking place and they can respond to get the device back. The alarm will only be activated however, if the device has the Alpha Thunder Tag on it. The Thunder Tag is designed to both set off the Classic N10 antenna alarm if it is carried within the range of the antenna and it has a built in alarm that also activates providing a double layer of protection. I should also mention the tamper alarm on the Thunder Tag prevents someone from trying to remove it and then leaving with the mobile device.
Mobile technology in the medical field is a powerful tool and continues to improve the delivery of medical services and streamlines processes. Be aware that there are criminals who engage in tablet theft and i-pad theft in order to steal patient records and prescription information. Protect your patients and your practice with the Classic N10 antenna and Alpha Thunder Tags.
For more information on Alpha Thunder Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
As I get older I find I am regularly amazed at the rate technology changes. I remember when (don’t you cringe when you hear “I remember when”?) portable phones were in big carrying bags that you took with you in your car. Pagers came out and it was great to be able to get a page from my loss prevention team telling me they needed me to call the store. Now I experience the friendly banter of co-workers making fun of my flip phone. Two-way wrist communicators were the stuff of imagination when I watched Dick Tracy cartoons as a child. Now there are Fitbits that are worn on the wrist providing health information, activity, nutritional information, weight and even sleep activity. Polaroid cameras were awesome, providing instant pictures with no need to wait to take in film for development. Digital cameras came along and now I can upload pictures straight to my desktop computer! I know what you’re thinking, “how cool is that?” What you’re really saying is, I can take a picture or video on my i-phone or tablet, and upload to the cloud and access it on my laptop from anywhere I happen to be at the time, what is this guy talking about? Yes, I do really use a desktop computer and I do have a flip phone. On the other hand, I also work in an academic library where we do work with students and the newer technologies. The main point I am making is technology is growing at amazing rates and with it the applications for those technologies. This is true for almost every field of endeavor, including the medical field. Today Doctors, nurses, medical students and pharmacists are becoming more reliant on mobile medical devices, including i-pads and tablets. The use of these devices does warrant some cause for concern, such as, what happens if there is an i-pad theft or tablet theft from a medical provider? Can the loss of these devices be prevented? An electronic article surveillance system and the use of Alpha Thunder Tags can protect mobile medical devices and with them the information they carry.
Today doctors can access patient electronic medical records (EMRs), and there are apps that can allow them to view MRIs and CAT scans. The physician can pull up the scans and view them on the device with the patient. Through devices doctors can ask staff to change I.V. settings or change or request record orders. Despite assurances that data is “secure”, there is always the potential for someone to gain access to records should an i-pad theft or tablet theft occur. In prior articles I have listed numerous known breaches of medical information and losses of medical devices. Medical facilities can prevent such theft by installing Checkpoint Classic N10 electronic article surveillance antennas at entrances and exits and having Alpha Thunder Tags attached to mobile medical devices. The Classic N10 antenna does not take up much doorway space so it won’t hinder patients or staff entering or exiting the building. What it will do is activate a loud alarm and flashing LED lights if there is an attempted i-pad theft. The alarm alerts staff that a tablet theft is taking place and they can respond to get the device back. The alarm will only be activated however, if the device has the Alpha Thunder Tag on it. The Thunder Tag is designed to both set off the Classic N10 antenna alarm if it is carried within the range of the antenna and it has a built in alarm that also activates providing a double layer of protection. I should also mention the tamper alarm on the Thunder Tag prevents someone from trying to remove it and then leaving with the mobile device.
Mobile technology in the medical field is a powerful tool and continues to improve the delivery of medical services and streamlines processes. Be aware that there are criminals who engage in tablet theft and i-pad theft in order to steal patient records and prescription information. Protect your patients and your practice with the Classic N10 antenna and Alpha Thunder Tags.
For more information on Alpha Thunder Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Wardrobing-2, Return Fraud-3 , Alpha Shark Tags-3
Return Fraud: The Retailer’s Arch Nemesis
Unless you are in the party supply or tool business, you are probably not dealing in merchandise rentals. And even in those types of businesses, rent is not free. Some customers, however, have found some creative ways around the usual way of buying and selling. These are the people that are engaging in return fraud, and there are several ways they are getting away with it. Surveys and studies show that eight to ten percent of all refunds that retailers perform are some form of fraudulence. It is a significant issue that can very negatively affect the financial performance of a company over time and drive it straight into bankruptcy.
Of course, customers tend to be the number one suspects for return fraud. We’ve all probably dealt with that person that sneaks in to steal a high dollar item, and then tries to act as if they are making a return. Sometimes they conceal the item, go out the door, and then come back in. Sometimes they have a partner waiting outside who will attempt the return. Other times they are bold and simply walk from the aisle straight to the register. Because of this, many retailers have added restrictions to the return policies and will not process them without receipts. There are also the customers that engage in “free renting”, also referred to as wardrobing. This is a particularly nasty little practice because the customer buys items from your store with the intention of returning it. They keep their receipts with all the packaging, and bring the stuff back expecting a full refund. What makes this such a bad practice is that many times this merchandise is no longer sellable. This is not just a problem for the clothing business, as it was named for. Electronics, wedding supply, and even furniture dealers can be victims of this deception as well. A guy comes to buy the biggest television you have on your sales floor for the next couple of weekends for the playoffs and the championship game. A woman comes to buy some big center pieces and table linens for her big party or event she is planning. Then when the games are over, the party people have all gone home, these folks come back to return everything they bought to the respective stores. The television has dust and roaches inside it. The table wear has wine and grease stains.
There is a way to combat wardrobing, which is absolutely return fraud. When it comes to losing profits, something has to be done. That’s where the Alpha Shark Tags come into play. These are just great little gadgets that can be part of any successful return policy. You simply attach them to any item, whether directly or added to the packaging. You clip it right on and then if the customer removes the Alpha Shark Tag, the item is no longer eligible for a return. They are meant to be removed at home with a simple pair of household scissors. They cannot be reattached, so those customers that bought the ticket gun to put the price tags back on is also put out of business. Alpha Shark Tags are tamper evident and they can’t be beat. They are the kryptonite to the “free rent” criminals of the world.
For more information on Return Fraud, contact us or call: 1.770.426.0547
Unless you are in the party supply or tool business, you are probably not dealing in merchandise rentals. And even in those types of businesses, rent is not free. Some customers, however, have found some creative ways around the usual way of buying and selling. These are the people that are engaging in return fraud, and there are several ways they are getting away with it. Surveys and studies show that eight to ten percent of all refunds that retailers perform are some form of fraudulence. It is a significant issue that can very negatively affect the financial performance of a company over time and drive it straight into bankruptcy.
Of course, customers tend to be the number one suspects for return fraud. We’ve all probably dealt with that person that sneaks in to steal a high dollar item, and then tries to act as if they are making a return. Sometimes they conceal the item, go out the door, and then come back in. Sometimes they have a partner waiting outside who will attempt the return. Other times they are bold and simply walk from the aisle straight to the register. Because of this, many retailers have added restrictions to the return policies and will not process them without receipts. There are also the customers that engage in “free renting”, also referred to as wardrobing. This is a particularly nasty little practice because the customer buys items from your store with the intention of returning it. They keep their receipts with all the packaging, and bring the stuff back expecting a full refund. What makes this such a bad practice is that many times this merchandise is no longer sellable. This is not just a problem for the clothing business, as it was named for. Electronics, wedding supply, and even furniture dealers can be victims of this deception as well. A guy comes to buy the biggest television you have on your sales floor for the next couple of weekends for the playoffs and the championship game. A woman comes to buy some big center pieces and table linens for her big party or event she is planning. Then when the games are over, the party people have all gone home, these folks come back to return everything they bought to the respective stores. The television has dust and roaches inside it. The table wear has wine and grease stains.
There is a way to combat wardrobing, which is absolutely return fraud. When it comes to losing profits, something has to be done. That’s where the Alpha Shark Tags come into play. These are just great little gadgets that can be part of any successful return policy. You simply attach them to any item, whether directly or added to the packaging. You clip it right on and then if the customer removes the Alpha Shark Tag, the item is no longer eligible for a return. They are meant to be removed at home with a simple pair of household scissors. They cannot be reattached, so those customers that bought the ticket gun to put the price tags back on is also put out of business. Alpha Shark Tags are tamper evident and they can’t be beat. They are the kryptonite to the “free rent” criminals of the world.
For more information on Return Fraud, contact us or call: 1.770.426.0547
