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.