Training to reduce employee theft-3 WC Blog 320
Stop shoplifting-4
Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. Provides Training To Stop Shoplifting And Reduce Employee Theft And Keep Your Employees Safe In The Process
Before I get too far into this article about the importance of training to stop shoplifting and training to reduce employee theft, I would ask you to take a few minutes to take a look at some of these headlines:
• Walmart loss prevention officer killed pursuing suspected shoplifter, WSB-TV, Apr 12,2016 http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/gwinnett-county/loss-prevention-officer-killed-at-lilburn-walmart/207995435
• Loss prevention officers stabbed at JC Penney, Jan 24, 2013 http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/20700570/loss-prevention-officers-stabbed-at-jcpenney
• Kmart loss prevention officer killed by shoplifters, Jan 18, 2010, http://www.nbc-2.com/story/11839243/kmart-loss-prevention-officer-killed-by-shoplifters
• Police: Margate Walmart Employee Killed By Fleeing Thief, Sep 21, 2012 http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/09/21/police-margate-walmart-employee-killed-by-fleeing-thief/
• Man wanted for fatally stabbing worker at Va. Burlington Coat Factory, March 4, 2017 http://wtvr.com/2017/03/04/burlington-coat-factory-employee-fatally-stabbed-potomac-mills/
• Police: Employee attacks manager, co-workers while being fired, Friday, November 8, 2013 http://komonews.com/news/local/police-employee-attacks-manager-coworkers-while-being-fired
• Prescott Walmart employee arrested after attempting to harm co-workers, December 05, 2016 http://www.12news.com/news/local/arizona/prescott-wal-mart-employee-arrested-after-attempting-to-harm-co-workers/362586930
What is my point in showing you these headlines? In the first 5 reports, trained Loss Prevention employees were injured or killed in their attempts to do their jobs and prevent criminals from stealing merchandise. Let me repeat that, they were attempting to stop shoplifting and preventing criminals from getting away. In the last 2 instance employees posed a danger and/or harmed co-workers and managers. Shoplifting is not a game and many of the people who perpetrate the crimes are dangerous. Employees who steal can be just as dangerous. How prepared are you to handle a shoplifting situation? Are you or your managers truly prepared for events that could get out of hand?
Training to reduce employee theft and stop shoplifting is important for all managers, especially those in stores with no Loss Prevention personnel available to prevent theft and help deter dishonest employees. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. offers training sessions that can help you prevent shoplifting by teaching you about who it is that is stealing from your business, how to develop programs to deter criminals and how to approach them SAFELY. You will learn about anti-theft devices that make your store less appealing to thieves and send them elsewhere. Training programs are also available to help you with the methods of identifying employee theft and the various methods they use to steal. Were you aware that employee theft may include theft from your customers as well as your business? Employees may steal credit cards, gift cards, even receipts from your customers and in the process damage the reputation of your business. How do you repair that? Sometimes the best prevention is weeding out bad apples before they get a foot in the door. To that end, Loss Prevention Systems also has training available for teaching about pre-employment hiring and background checks. The potentially violent or dishonest employee can often be identified in a proper screening and avoided altogether.
If the stories I linked to do not persuade you of the real danger shoplifters can pose or that there are dangerous employees out there, then let me tell you about my personal experiences. I have nearly 20 years of Loss Prevention experience and 27 years of total retail experience. As a Loss Prevention manager for a major chain we went through training on how to properly approach shoplifters, how to detain them and if necessary physically restrain them. All of our L.P. personnel attended these sessions. While the training did prevent some dangerous situations my team and I still experienced being pushed, bitten, punched and verbal threats from thieves that they were in possession of a weapon. In some cases this was simply when we approached the suspect and hadn’t yet fully engaged in a stop. There are proper ways to try to approach shoplifters or deter them. Loss Prevention Systems Trainers can help keep you and your team safe.
Dangers from employees can be just as real. I have had an employee who was going to be fired and he threatened to kill himself. I have had employees who were terminated from their job and threatened to meet our Human Resources Manager in the parking lot when they got off of work. I have responded to the store in the early morning hours when a freight team member pulled a box cutter on a cleaning crew employee. Background checks, pre-employment screening and training on how to be ready for these situations should be required for your managers.
Don’t let criminals rip you off or employees steal your money and reputation. Let Loss prevention Systems, Inc. give your managers training to reduce employee theft and stop shoplifting.
Before I get too far into this article about the importance of training to stop shoplifting and training to reduce employee theft, I would ask you to take a few minutes to take a look at some of these headlines:
• Walmart loss prevention officer killed pursuing suspected shoplifter, WSB-TV, Apr 12,2016 http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/gwinnett-county/loss-prevention-officer-killed-at-lilburn-walmart/207995435
• Loss prevention officers stabbed at JC Penney, Jan 24, 2013 http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/20700570/loss-prevention-officers-stabbed-at-jcpenney
• Kmart loss prevention officer killed by shoplifters, Jan 18, 2010, http://www.nbc-2.com/story/11839243/kmart-loss-prevention-officer-killed-by-shoplifters
• Police: Margate Walmart Employee Killed By Fleeing Thief, Sep 21, 2012 http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/09/21/police-margate-walmart-employee-killed-by-fleeing-thief/
• Man wanted for fatally stabbing worker at Va. Burlington Coat Factory, March 4, 2017 http://wtvr.com/2017/03/04/burlington-coat-factory-employee-fatally-stabbed-potomac-mills/
• Police: Employee attacks manager, co-workers while being fired, Friday, November 8, 2013 http://komonews.com/news/local/police-employee-attacks-manager-coworkers-while-being-fired
• Prescott Walmart employee arrested after attempting to harm co-workers, December 05, 2016 http://www.12news.com/news/local/arizona/prescott-wal-mart-employee-arrested-after-attempting-to-harm-co-workers/362586930
What is my point in showing you these headlines? In the first 5 reports, trained Loss Prevention employees were injured or killed in their attempts to do their jobs and prevent criminals from stealing merchandise. Let me repeat that, they were attempting to stop shoplifting and preventing criminals from getting away. In the last 2 instance employees posed a danger and/or harmed co-workers and managers. Shoplifting is not a game and many of the people who perpetrate the crimes are dangerous. Employees who steal can be just as dangerous. How prepared are you to handle a shoplifting situation? Are you or your managers truly prepared for events that could get out of hand?
Training to reduce employee theft and stop shoplifting is important for all managers, especially those in stores with no Loss Prevention personnel available to prevent theft and help deter dishonest employees. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. offers training sessions that can help you prevent shoplifting by teaching you about who it is that is stealing from your business, how to develop programs to deter criminals and how to approach them SAFELY. You will learn about anti-theft devices that make your store less appealing to thieves and send them elsewhere. Training programs are also available to help you with the methods of identifying employee theft and the various methods they use to steal. Were you aware that employee theft may include theft from your customers as well as your business? Employees may steal credit cards, gift cards, even receipts from your customers and in the process damage the reputation of your business. How do you repair that? Sometimes the best prevention is weeding out bad apples before they get a foot in the door. To that end, Loss Prevention Systems also has training available for teaching about pre-employment hiring and background checks. The potentially violent or dishonest employee can often be identified in a proper screening and avoided altogether.
If the stories I linked to do not persuade you of the real danger shoplifters can pose or that there are dangerous employees out there, then let me tell you about my personal experiences. I have nearly 20 years of Loss Prevention experience and 27 years of total retail experience. As a Loss Prevention manager for a major chain we went through training on how to properly approach shoplifters, how to detain them and if necessary physically restrain them. All of our L.P. personnel attended these sessions. While the training did prevent some dangerous situations my team and I still experienced being pushed, bitten, punched and verbal threats from thieves that they were in possession of a weapon. In some cases this was simply when we approached the suspect and hadn’t yet fully engaged in a stop. There are proper ways to try to approach shoplifters or deter them. Loss Prevention Systems Trainers can help keep you and your team safe.
Dangers from employees can be just as real. I have had an employee who was going to be fired and he threatened to kill himself. I have had employees who were terminated from their job and threatened to meet our Human Resources Manager in the parking lot when they got off of work. I have responded to the store in the early morning hours when a freight team member pulled a box cutter on a cleaning crew employee. Background checks, pre-employment screening and training on how to be ready for these situations should be required for your managers.
Don’t let criminals rip you off or employees steal your money and reputation. Let Loss prevention Systems, Inc. give your managers training to reduce employee theft and stop shoplifting.
Need information on training to reduce employee theft? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now
Pre-employment Screening-4 WC Blog 301
Background Check Company-4
Make Sure You Score Big With Your Next New Hire Use Pre-employment Screening To Verify Credentials
How many of you are sports fans out there? I happen to fall into the casual fan category. I like to watch the games and I know a little about my two favorite sports, football and baseball. On the other hand I’m not one of the fans who can quote every statistic about the team they love. What I do know is professional teams don’t just hire unknowns. Usually players are scouted out well in advance of any consideration for recruitment. This being said, wouldn’t it be great if an employer could hire their staff like the Pro’s scout and draft? You send scouts out, they watch the way your candidates perform. You sit in a room and watch tape of them to see for yourself how they did their job. Applicants go through skill tests to see just how they have mastered fundamental requirements for the position. We all know life doesn’t happen that way. Sometimes you can get lucky and run across someone doing their job and you try to steal them away for your own business but in general those are rare occasions. Usually you put out a job ad, get some applicants and take a chance on a few who “look good” on paper and you conduct interviews. Did they do well? Were you impressed at the answers they gave in response to our interview questions? You may not have a scout unit but a Pre-employment screening can be your scouting report on an applicant.
A background check company has the ability to dig into a job candidate’s background information in order to help you know who it is you are contemplating bringing into your business. You may be able to read information from a job application or a resume but can you be sure what you are reading is truthful? There are people who fluff up their resumes with achievements they never really earned or exaggerate the scope of the work they did. Employee background checks are run by experienced professionals who have the tools that are needed to verify the information a candidate provides to you. Criminal convictions, driving records, education background and validation of social security numbers are a few of the items a pre-employment screening can properly clear.
Think about it like this, just because a baseball player says he bats .400, has a 1.92 ERA or can play multiple positions on the field, would you as a manager hire him on his word? Absolutely not, you might be interested in his story, you might even hear through word of mouth that he has these skill sets but you are going to do your homework. You send your scouts out to his games to watch him. When they think he may have the abilities he says he has you may invite him to spring try-outs for one more look. When everything pans out and the player’s words match his actions THEN you make an offer. As I pointed out, business owners don’t have scouts so what is the next best solution? Businesses can hire a background check company to be the scout on behalf of retailers and other business owners. Need someone who can manage your company social media platforms? You may want a candidate with a computer science degree or marketing degree from an accredited college or university. Pre-employment screening can validate education information entered on an application. Need an experienced Loss Prevention agent to fill an Asset Protection Manager opening? An Employee background check company can verify any employment history a prospective hire has listed on a resume. Do you remember to ask former employers if an employee is re-hirable? A company that does pre-employment screening doesn’t forget to ask such a critical question. Someone may have worked as an L.P. Agent, but were they released for something that would prevent them from being re-hired such as theft or violations of company policies?
You may not be hiring to field a professional sports team but you certainly want a squad that you can trust and will keep you profitable. Don’t try to scout out the backgrounds of job prospects. Use a professional Background Check Company to help you hit home runs in your hiring decisions.
Need information on Pre-employment screening? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
How many of you are sports fans out there? I happen to fall into the casual fan category. I like to watch the games and I know a little about my two favorite sports, football and baseball. On the other hand I’m not one of the fans who can quote every statistic about the team they love. What I do know is professional teams don’t just hire unknowns. Usually players are scouted out well in advance of any consideration for recruitment. This being said, wouldn’t it be great if an employer could hire their staff like the Pro’s scout and draft? You send scouts out, they watch the way your candidates perform. You sit in a room and watch tape of them to see for yourself how they did their job. Applicants go through skill tests to see just how they have mastered fundamental requirements for the position. We all know life doesn’t happen that way. Sometimes you can get lucky and run across someone doing their job and you try to steal them away for your own business but in general those are rare occasions. Usually you put out a job ad, get some applicants and take a chance on a few who “look good” on paper and you conduct interviews. Did they do well? Were you impressed at the answers they gave in response to our interview questions? You may not have a scout unit but a Pre-employment screening can be your scouting report on an applicant.
A background check company has the ability to dig into a job candidate’s background information in order to help you know who it is you are contemplating bringing into your business. You may be able to read information from a job application or a resume but can you be sure what you are reading is truthful? There are people who fluff up their resumes with achievements they never really earned or exaggerate the scope of the work they did. Employee background checks are run by experienced professionals who have the tools that are needed to verify the information a candidate provides to you. Criminal convictions, driving records, education background and validation of social security numbers are a few of the items a pre-employment screening can properly clear.
Think about it like this, just because a baseball player says he bats .400, has a 1.92 ERA or can play multiple positions on the field, would you as a manager hire him on his word? Absolutely not, you might be interested in his story, you might even hear through word of mouth that he has these skill sets but you are going to do your homework. You send your scouts out to his games to watch him. When they think he may have the abilities he says he has you may invite him to spring try-outs for one more look. When everything pans out and the player’s words match his actions THEN you make an offer. As I pointed out, business owners don’t have scouts so what is the next best solution? Businesses can hire a background check company to be the scout on behalf of retailers and other business owners. Need someone who can manage your company social media platforms? You may want a candidate with a computer science degree or marketing degree from an accredited college or university. Pre-employment screening can validate education information entered on an application. Need an experienced Loss Prevention agent to fill an Asset Protection Manager opening? An Employee background check company can verify any employment history a prospective hire has listed on a resume. Do you remember to ask former employers if an employee is re-hirable? A company that does pre-employment screening doesn’t forget to ask such a critical question. Someone may have worked as an L.P. Agent, but were they released for something that would prevent them from being re-hired such as theft or violations of company policies?
You may not be hiring to field a professional sports team but you certainly want a squad that you can trust and will keep you profitable. Don’t try to scout out the backgrounds of job prospects. Use a professional Background Check Company to help you hit home runs in your hiring decisions.
Need information on Pre-employment screening? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
AA blog 12
Loss Prevention Calculator: 5
Can loss prevention be free?: 3
A Loss Prevention Calculator is The Best Way to Justify the Security You Need
If you work in business in any way you are quite familiar with the term return on investment (ROI). As the manager of a security department I know ROI is discussed quite frequently in various functions of the company. Whether you are trying to substantiate funding for training, equipment, safety, security or other program, it is imperative to have the ability to articulate the cost benefit involved, in order to get approval. It is important that you have a good understanding of the product or program as well as a base knowledge of how it can provide a cost saving to the company. Sometimes this is difficult to do in the beginning because deterrence or mitigating risk can be difficult to measure. Sometimes this requires you conduct research on other similar industries to get a baseline on their failure or success in a particular area of interest. Regardless of your position within the company you should be familiar with this process so you can facilitate change, by presenting an idea, which can positively impact the company. I would venture to say that most companies, regardless of their product line, require some form of safety and security in order to protect their employees, their product, and the public; to varying degrees. If you are in any business that involves the sale of products of any kind, loss prevention is always a factor to consider. It doesn’t matter if you are selling vehicle parts, outdoor equipment, sporting goods, or any other item loss is inevitable. Regardless of your inventory type you will have to create and maintain a loss prevention program to protect your property. The loss prevention calculator, does a lot of the work for you by calculating your ROI. Can loss prevention be free? That is a question that deserves an answer, don’t you think?
A loss prevention calculator is a simple way to evaluate and calculate the cost of a Checkpoint System. It allows you to compare your net earnings and net loss to determine whether the cost of your loss prevention program is effectively reducing shrinkage and how that can result in a positive ROI. Every industry is different, therefore each individual company needs to evaluate their potential loss or risk, so they can determine which security measures are warranted. If you are in the retail industry and you want to justify beefing up your security to your store manager or owner, or maybe you are the owner and you want to know whether the cost of security will benefit your business, simply use the loss prevention calculator to evaluate your options. Can loss prevention be free? It can be with time and careful planning and consideration. The calculator allows you to simply input your annual sales and your security costs, at which time the calculator will automatically factor in average shrinkage and reductions, based on deterrence and detection. This will provide you with an immediate annual ROI calculation for your Checkpoint System. You can use the calculator to determine which security options will work best for you based on your potential return on investment. You can use this information to justify security funding, reduce shrinkage and increase profit.
To answer the question, can loss prevention be free, clearly it can be. In time, your return on investment can pay for your loss prevention program, many times over. I know it has for my company, and continues to be an investment, that I have no problem justifying. A strong loss prevention program can only benefit your bottom line, so why wait? Check out the loss prevention calculator for yourself. See how easy it is to evaluate your programs and determine how security will improve your loss prevention and reduce shrinkage so you can improve profits.
For more information about the loss prevention calculator, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
If you work in business in any way you are quite familiar with the term return on investment (ROI). As the manager of a security department I know ROI is discussed quite frequently in various functions of the company. Whether you are trying to substantiate funding for training, equipment, safety, security or other program, it is imperative to have the ability to articulate the cost benefit involved, in order to get approval. It is important that you have a good understanding of the product or program as well as a base knowledge of how it can provide a cost saving to the company. Sometimes this is difficult to do in the beginning because deterrence or mitigating risk can be difficult to measure. Sometimes this requires you conduct research on other similar industries to get a baseline on their failure or success in a particular area of interest. Regardless of your position within the company you should be familiar with this process so you can facilitate change, by presenting an idea, which can positively impact the company. I would venture to say that most companies, regardless of their product line, require some form of safety and security in order to protect their employees, their product, and the public; to varying degrees. If you are in any business that involves the sale of products of any kind, loss prevention is always a factor to consider. It doesn’t matter if you are selling vehicle parts, outdoor equipment, sporting goods, or any other item loss is inevitable. Regardless of your inventory type you will have to create and maintain a loss prevention program to protect your property. The loss prevention calculator, does a lot of the work for you by calculating your ROI. Can loss prevention be free? That is a question that deserves an answer, don’t you think?
A loss prevention calculator is a simple way to evaluate and calculate the cost of a Checkpoint System. It allows you to compare your net earnings and net loss to determine whether the cost of your loss prevention program is effectively reducing shrinkage and how that can result in a positive ROI. Every industry is different, therefore each individual company needs to evaluate their potential loss or risk, so they can determine which security measures are warranted. If you are in the retail industry and you want to justify beefing up your security to your store manager or owner, or maybe you are the owner and you want to know whether the cost of security will benefit your business, simply use the loss prevention calculator to evaluate your options. Can loss prevention be free? It can be with time and careful planning and consideration. The calculator allows you to simply input your annual sales and your security costs, at which time the calculator will automatically factor in average shrinkage and reductions, based on deterrence and detection. This will provide you with an immediate annual ROI calculation for your Checkpoint System. You can use the calculator to determine which security options will work best for you based on your potential return on investment. You can use this information to justify security funding, reduce shrinkage and increase profit.
To answer the question, can loss prevention be free, clearly it can be. In time, your return on investment can pay for your loss prevention program, many times over. I know it has for my company, and continues to be an investment, that I have no problem justifying. A strong loss prevention program can only benefit your bottom line, so why wait? Check out the loss prevention calculator for yourself. See how easy it is to evaluate your programs and determine how security will improve your loss prevention and reduce shrinkage so you can improve profits.
For more information about the loss prevention calculator, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
Bug Tag -5 WC Blog 329
Classic N10-4
i-pad Theft-4
An Increase In i-pads In Hospitals Could Mean More i-pad Thefts; The Alpha Bug Tags Prevent Pilfering and Protect Patient Information
Apple is eyeing the prospects of becoming more involved in the growing healthcare market. The computer giant already has a number of medical apps available on the i-pad for health care professionals and even medical students. Additionally i-pads and tablets have been found to be useful in “remote viewing of medical imaging scans”, “Mobile devices have been proven to improve contact between HCP’s (Health Care Providers) and their colleagues”, “Mobile devices are invaluable tools for HCP’s to use to search or access medical literature, as other informational sources.” P&T, May 2014, 39(5): 356-364, “Mobile Devices and Apps for Health Care Professionals: Uses and Benefits”, C. Lee Ventola, MS, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4029126/ In a story in fastcompany.com titled, “ipads in Every Hospital: Apple’s Plan to Crack the $3 Trillion Health Care Sector, by Christina Farr, 03/18/17, “For Apple, the $3 trillion health care sector offers a lot of potential for growth for its ipad.” The article adds, “iPhones and iPads have been used by some hospitals for more than five years, but it is only recently the company went public about its interest in healthcare.” https://www.fastcompany.com/3068773/ipads-in-every-hospital-apples-plan-to-crack-the-3-trillion-health-care-se With this anticipated growth of more i-pads in the healthcare market, there has to be an increased concern over the protection of these devices. i-pad theft has already taken place in medical facilities. Just recently an incident took place in Leamington, Ontario, a thief stole “several” ipads from the Leamington District Memorial Hospital’s main lobby. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/leamington-hospital-ipads-1.3973889 . i-pad theft is going to balloon as a result of this increased footprint but it can be curtailed if hospitals take the time to install Classic N10 towers at the entry/exit doors and places a Bug Tag 2 on each mobile device.
The Bug Tag 2 by Alpha Security is an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag that is attached directly to mobile devices. The tags are a two-piece design, part is an adhesive that holds the tag on the item to be protected and the other is the housing unit held in place by the adhesive. The housing unit has the alarm and radio frequency (rf) coil that is the heart of the device. The tag emits a rf signal that can be picked up by a Checkpoint Classic N10 EAS tower when carried within the detection range of the tower. When that happens, the tower sounds an alarm and flashes LED lights that serve to warn employees a tagged mobile device has been detected. Employees responding to the alarm determine the cause of the alarm and recover the unit. You might be wondering what would prevent a determined thief from simply pulling a Bug Tag off and conducting an i-pad theft that way. First, the rounded edges of the tag ensure the device fits flush with the i-pad making it difficult for a thief to pry it off. Second, there is a tamper alarm built into the tag that causes it to activate an internal alarm if a person were to attempt to pry it off of a mobile device.
There may also be concern by some that EAS pedestals would be too big for the entrances and exits of hospitals and clinics that want to use Bug Tags to protect i-pads. Most people are familiar with the large pedestals that are encountered in retail store doorways. The solution to that problem is to install the Checkpoint Classic N10 pedestal. This tower has a small profile that was first designed with very small retail stores in mind that have limited space. The tower provides practically the same power and detection range as the bigger units while taking up a fraction of the floor and entryway space.
So why am I concerned about i-pad theft or any other mobile medical device, for that matter? Because the use of any medical device that stores patient information must be protected. Whether the device is used for check-ins in a hospital waiting room or registration at a pharmacy minute-clinic, patient information has to be protected from addresses to date of births. Theft of such devices exposes the patient to identity theft or it can lead to prescription fraud and insurance fraud. Significant breaches of patient information can also lead to massive fines from the Department of Health and Human Services.
We’ve all seen the contributions that Apple products have made in our society, so it is exciting to think about what they may add to medical advancements in the future. As hospitals increase the number of i-pads in their facilities it is important that appropriate security measures be taken to keep them safe. The Alpha Bug Tag 2 and Classic N10 pedestals offer the optimal security benefits to protect patients and property.
Need information on Bug Tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Apple is eyeing the prospects of becoming more involved in the growing healthcare market. The computer giant already has a number of medical apps available on the i-pad for health care professionals and even medical students. Additionally i-pads and tablets have been found to be useful in “remote viewing of medical imaging scans”, “Mobile devices have been proven to improve contact between HCP’s (Health Care Providers) and their colleagues”, “Mobile devices are invaluable tools for HCP’s to use to search or access medical literature, as other informational sources.” P&T, May 2014, 39(5): 356-364, “Mobile Devices and Apps for Health Care Professionals: Uses and Benefits”, C. Lee Ventola, MS, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4029126/ In a story in fastcompany.com titled, “ipads in Every Hospital: Apple’s Plan to Crack the $3 Trillion Health Care Sector, by Christina Farr, 03/18/17, “For Apple, the $3 trillion health care sector offers a lot of potential for growth for its ipad.” The article adds, “iPhones and iPads have been used by some hospitals for more than five years, but it is only recently the company went public about its interest in healthcare.” https://www.fastcompany.com/3068773/ipads-in-every-hospital-apples-plan-to-crack-the-3-trillion-health-care-se With this anticipated growth of more i-pads in the healthcare market, there has to be an increased concern over the protection of these devices. i-pad theft has already taken place in medical facilities. Just recently an incident took place in Leamington, Ontario, a thief stole “several” ipads from the Leamington District Memorial Hospital’s main lobby. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/leamington-hospital-ipads-1.3973889 . i-pad theft is going to balloon as a result of this increased footprint but it can be curtailed if hospitals take the time to install Classic N10 towers at the entry/exit doors and places a Bug Tag 2 on each mobile device.
The Bug Tag 2 by Alpha Security is an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag that is attached directly to mobile devices. The tags are a two-piece design, part is an adhesive that holds the tag on the item to be protected and the other is the housing unit held in place by the adhesive. The housing unit has the alarm and radio frequency (rf) coil that is the heart of the device. The tag emits a rf signal that can be picked up by a Checkpoint Classic N10 EAS tower when carried within the detection range of the tower. When that happens, the tower sounds an alarm and flashes LED lights that serve to warn employees a tagged mobile device has been detected. Employees responding to the alarm determine the cause of the alarm and recover the unit. You might be wondering what would prevent a determined thief from simply pulling a Bug Tag off and conducting an i-pad theft that way. First, the rounded edges of the tag ensure the device fits flush with the i-pad making it difficult for a thief to pry it off. Second, there is a tamper alarm built into the tag that causes it to activate an internal alarm if a person were to attempt to pry it off of a mobile device.
There may also be concern by some that EAS pedestals would be too big for the entrances and exits of hospitals and clinics that want to use Bug Tags to protect i-pads. Most people are familiar with the large pedestals that are encountered in retail store doorways. The solution to that problem is to install the Checkpoint Classic N10 pedestal. This tower has a small profile that was first designed with very small retail stores in mind that have limited space. The tower provides practically the same power and detection range as the bigger units while taking up a fraction of the floor and entryway space.
So why am I concerned about i-pad theft or any other mobile medical device, for that matter? Because the use of any medical device that stores patient information must be protected. Whether the device is used for check-ins in a hospital waiting room or registration at a pharmacy minute-clinic, patient information has to be protected from addresses to date of births. Theft of such devices exposes the patient to identity theft or it can lead to prescription fraud and insurance fraud. Significant breaches of patient information can also lead to massive fines from the Department of Health and Human Services.
We’ve all seen the contributions that Apple products have made in our society, so it is exciting to think about what they may add to medical advancements in the future. As hospitals increase the number of i-pads in their facilities it is important that appropriate security measures be taken to keep them safe. The Alpha Bug Tag 2 and Classic N10 pedestals offer the optimal security benefits to protect patients and property.
Need information on Bug Tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Alpha Bug Tag 2 -4 WC Blog 322
Retail Anti-Theft Devices-5
Prevent shoplifting-3
ORC Groups Are Becoming More Sophisticated But So Are Retail Anti-Theft Devices That Prevent Shoplifting
Organized Retail Crime rings seem to be a growing problem. While they used to be limited to selling out of flea markets, pawn shops and “mom and pop” stores, these criminals now also sell over the internet. Of course this adds a new wrinkle in the effort to catch the perpetrators and shut down their operations. On top of the difficulty of tracking online activity there is an added sophistication in the technologies these groups are using to steal from retailers. Those of us in Loss Prevention used to see the occasional foil lined booster bags or coats with extra pockets sewn on the inside and once in a while someone would have a portable electronic article surveillance detachment device with them. Today, more than ever it is imperative that retailers are doing all they can to prevent shoplifting by using retail anti-theft devices such as the Alpha Bug Tag 2 on merchandise.
Retail anti-theft devices make shoplifting more difficult. First, many of them have the ability to self-activate if tampered with, the Alpha Bug Tag 2 being one of them. They all work with electronic article surveillance (EAS) towers to create an alarm if a breach takes place. The Bug Tag is also an improvement over some devices because they are designed with smooth, rounded edges which allow them to sit flush against the packaging. This improvement makes them more difficult to pry apart from the item they are protecting. Some devices come in a 3 alarm style that has an extended range alarm that sounds in the tag itself if the tagged merchandise is carried out in spite of the pedestal alarm. The professional shoplifter would prefer not to have to risk an alarm if possible and will take time to look for merchandise that is not protected reducing the risk of being caught. Even when booster bags are used there have been improvements in many EAS towers to such an extent that certain towers can even detect foil lined bags and discreetly alert store employees.
In the course of preparing for this article I came across stories of theft rings using stolen two-way radios or short wave radios to intercept store security calls. In one story it was reported, “When departing stores, the crews used “kryptonite” devices to deactivate security alarms at store exits…”, “ Staten Island woman, 28, busted in organized retail theft ring”, silive.com, by Mira Wassef, March 15, 2017, http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/03/staten_island_woman_28_busted.html
The same story also reported the location where a search warrant was executed had retail anti-theft devices such as Alpha Keys, and Spider Wraps that were found by investigators.
This begs the question, if ORC groups can jam towers, gain access to detachment keys or use foil lined bags can I really prevent shoplifting by using protective devices? The answer is a resounding YES! Bear in mind, not all shoplifters are part of organized crime rings. In fact the majority of your shoplifters are the opportunists. They come in and decide to steal for the thrill of it, some may say for the addiction of it and a few out of a perceived need (I am thinking of food theft and perhaps some clothing). Most people would recognize an Alpha Bug Tag 2 or other retail anti-theft device for what they are and are deterred by them. They may like the “thrill” associated with stealing but not the consequences and would rather avoid riskier actions. I would also refer back to the point I made about advances in EAS systems. Towers are available that detect metals and foil lined bags, software exists that can identify jammers used by thieves to interfere with radio frequency tags and pedestals, and 3 alarm tags all create a barrier to professional thieves. Yes, you can prevent shoplifting and deter internal theft with the use of retail anti-theft devices including the Alpha Bug Tag 2.
Need information on Alpha Bug Tag 2? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Organized Retail Crime rings seem to be a growing problem. While they used to be limited to selling out of flea markets, pawn shops and “mom and pop” stores, these criminals now also sell over the internet. Of course this adds a new wrinkle in the effort to catch the perpetrators and shut down their operations. On top of the difficulty of tracking online activity there is an added sophistication in the technologies these groups are using to steal from retailers. Those of us in Loss Prevention used to see the occasional foil lined booster bags or coats with extra pockets sewn on the inside and once in a while someone would have a portable electronic article surveillance detachment device with them. Today, more than ever it is imperative that retailers are doing all they can to prevent shoplifting by using retail anti-theft devices such as the Alpha Bug Tag 2 on merchandise.
Retail anti-theft devices make shoplifting more difficult. First, many of them have the ability to self-activate if tampered with, the Alpha Bug Tag 2 being one of them. They all work with electronic article surveillance (EAS) towers to create an alarm if a breach takes place. The Bug Tag is also an improvement over some devices because they are designed with smooth, rounded edges which allow them to sit flush against the packaging. This improvement makes them more difficult to pry apart from the item they are protecting. Some devices come in a 3 alarm style that has an extended range alarm that sounds in the tag itself if the tagged merchandise is carried out in spite of the pedestal alarm. The professional shoplifter would prefer not to have to risk an alarm if possible and will take time to look for merchandise that is not protected reducing the risk of being caught. Even when booster bags are used there have been improvements in many EAS towers to such an extent that certain towers can even detect foil lined bags and discreetly alert store employees.
In the course of preparing for this article I came across stories of theft rings using stolen two-way radios or short wave radios to intercept store security calls. In one story it was reported, “When departing stores, the crews used “kryptonite” devices to deactivate security alarms at store exits…”, “ Staten Island woman, 28, busted in organized retail theft ring”, silive.com, by Mira Wassef, March 15, 2017, http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/03/staten_island_woman_28_busted.html The same story also reported the location where a search warrant was executed had retail anti-theft devices such as Alpha Keys, and Spider Wraps that were found by investigators.
This begs the question, if ORC groups can jam towers, gain access to detachment keys or use foil lined bags can I really prevent shoplifting by using protective devices? The answer is a resounding YES! Bear in mind, not all shoplifters are part of organized crime rings. In fact the majority of your shoplifters are the opportunists. They come in and decide to steal for the thrill of it, some may say for the addiction of it and a few out of a perceived need (I am thinking of food theft and perhaps some clothing). Most people would recognize an Alpha Bug Tag 2 or other retail anti-theft device for what they are and are deterred by them. They may like the “thrill” associated with stealing but not the consequences and would rather avoid riskier actions. I would also refer back to the point I made about advances in EAS systems. Towers are available that detect metals and foil lined bags, software exists that can identify jammers used by thieves to interfere with radio frequency tags and pedestals, and 3 alarm tags all create a barrier to professional thieves. Yes, you can prevent shoplifting and deter internal theft with the use of retail anti-theft devices including the Alpha Bug Tag 2.
Need information on Alpha Bug Tag 2? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
AA Blog
Checkpoint labels: 5
Stop shoplifting: 3
Checkpoint Labels Provide An Easy And Cost-Efficient Means To Protect Your Sales Inventory
In the retail business we tend to have clearances and sales that include excess items, clothing and other specialty items that need to be removed from inventory. My mother-in-law always hits the clearance sales, looking for all types of items, gifts, clothes and children’s toys that need to go. It is a great time for shoppers to pick up a great deal. This may also include high valued items that are marked down in an attempt to reduce inventory. While shopping this year my mother-in-law said that they had moved all the sales items to the front of the store and were making room for a whole row of new items. You would think that these types of sales items would be low risk for theft, but unfortunately that is not the case. In my experience I have seen higher than normal rates of theft of these types of items. I believe this has to do with the fact that these items are low priority for the store. We realize that these items are significantly reduced in price, and what doesn’t get sold, tends to get written off as an inventory loss. Therefore, we don’t typically increase security on these types of items. They also tend to put these products in areas that are close to exits, for high visibility and access. These areas typically have reduced associate interaction and monitoring. These areas are a low priority for associates, as they are typically already restocking new products, and focusing on areas that contain higher priced items. I have found that the easiest and cheapest way to protect these types of items and stop shoplifting is to use Checkpoint labels.
Checkpoint labels provide the added security you need to protect your retail property, at a reasonable price, without a great deal of added time or effort. These labels come in various shapes and sizes to meet all your product needs. They are equipped with EAS technology, which provide a reliable means to notify associates when a theft occurs. Electronic article surveillance provides an audible alarm when someone attempts to remove an item from the store. Checkpoint labels can be printed in store, to allow for a simple way to price and individualize your labels, quickly and efficiently. These labels are designed for accuracy and efficiency, while allowing you the ability to customize your labels with individualized logos or store barcodes, for a multi-faceted product. These labels can be used on any product to include food items. These labels have a high grade adhesive, which prevents removal once applied to the product. These labels provide a cost-efficient means to stop shoplifting, with little time or effort.
I tend to use Checkpoint Labels for the majority of my retail products, due to the simplicity and quality of the product. It is a convenient product that allows me the ability to customize them to meet my individual sales needs. They come in a large roll, which allows me the ability to simply print the labels in store. I can include my pricing, store barcode and logo, while securing my products with EAS technology that is compatible with my existing security program. They are easily deactivated at the time of sale, which increases customer satisfaction while protecting my products from theft. These are a great means to stop shoplifting in your stores, regardless of the items you are trying to protect. Whether you are decreasing inventory, reducing holiday items, or protecting high line items, the labels can provide you the security you need.
Need information on Checkpoint labels? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
In the retail business we tend to have clearances and sales that include excess items, clothing and other specialty items that need to be removed from inventory. My mother-in-law always hits the clearance sales, looking for all types of items, gifts, clothes and children’s toys that need to go. It is a great time for shoppers to pick up a great deal. This may also include high valued items that are marked down in an attempt to reduce inventory. While shopping this year my mother-in-law said that they had moved all the sales items to the front of the store and were making room for a whole row of new items. You would think that these types of sales items would be low risk for theft, but unfortunately that is not the case. In my experience I have seen higher than normal rates of theft of these types of items. I believe this has to do with the fact that these items are low priority for the store. We realize that these items are significantly reduced in price, and what doesn’t get sold, tends to get written off as an inventory loss. Therefore, we don’t typically increase security on these types of items. They also tend to put these products in areas that are close to exits, for high visibility and access. These areas typically have reduced associate interaction and monitoring. These areas are a low priority for associates, as they are typically already restocking new products, and focusing on areas that contain higher priced items. I have found that the easiest and cheapest way to protect these types of items and stop shoplifting is to use Checkpoint labels.
Checkpoint labels provide the added security you need to protect your retail property, at a reasonable price, without a great deal of added time or effort. These labels come in various shapes and sizes to meet all your product needs. They are equipped with EAS technology, which provide a reliable means to notify associates when a theft occurs. Electronic article surveillance provides an audible alarm when someone attempts to remove an item from the store. Checkpoint labels can be printed in store, to allow for a simple way to price and individualize your labels, quickly and efficiently. These labels are designed for accuracy and efficiency, while allowing you the ability to customize your labels with individualized logos or store barcodes, for a multi-faceted product. These labels can be used on any product to include food items. These labels have a high grade adhesive, which prevents removal once applied to the product. These labels provide a cost-efficient means to stop shoplifting, with little time or effort.
I tend to use Checkpoint Labels for the majority of my retail products, due to the simplicity and quality of the product. It is a convenient product that allows me the ability to customize them to meet my individual sales needs. They come in a large roll, which allows me the ability to simply print the labels in store. I can include my pricing, store barcode and logo, while securing my products with EAS technology that is compatible with my existing security program. They are easily deactivated at the time of sale, which increases customer satisfaction while protecting my products from theft. These are a great means to stop shoplifting in your stores, regardless of the items you are trying to protect. Whether you are decreasing inventory, reducing holiday items, or protecting high line items, the labels can provide you the security you need.
Need information on Checkpoint labels? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
