NCJ Number
84168
Date Published
Unknown
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This booklet describes methods business owners can use to protect against shoplifting, employee theft, bad checks, robbery, and burglary.
Abstract
For both amateur and professional shoplifters, the most effective counter measures include courteous, interested personnel, use of circle patterns in displaying merchandise, adequate lighting, and placement of goods near sales personnel. Keeping an active inventory control system also helps because it facilitates proving that an item was removed from the store and that no corresponding sales slip exists. Employee theft, which accounts for two-thirds of the losses resulting from merchandise theft, includes sales persons cooperating with customers, back-door thefts, cash handling, refunds, and the return of damaged merchandise. Checking references of prospective employees is the most effective remedy. Theft through the use of stolen credit cards can be eliminated by requiring employees to request corroborating identification and to compare card and customer signatures. Similarly, losses from bad checks can be reduced by requiring positive identification of anyone cashing a check. Factors which deter burglary attempts include good lighting, secure windows and doors, locks, alarm systems, and only moderate amounts of cash on hand.