Commercial Safety and Fraud Prevention Tips

Tips for preventing commercial robbery:

Take measures that make your store unattractive to robbers. Some prevention measures include:

·         A clean, neat store; attentive sales staff; a visible cash register; good lighting; and frequent deposits to the bank.

·         The use of mirrors, cameras, alarms, and security personnel in high-crime areas.

What to do when a robbery occurs:

·         Cooperate with the robber for your safety and the safety of others.

·         Make an effort to stay calm and think clearly. Make mental notes of the robber's physical description and other observations that will help law enforcement officers.

·         If you can reach your silent alarm without this being noticed, do so. Otherwise, wait until the robber leaves.

·         Have a prearranged signal with your employees that indicates a robbery is occurring. Do not use it if the robber can see you. Instead, wait until the robber leaves.

·         Most robbers are as nervous as you, so be careful!

Tips for preventing shoplifting:

·         Train your staff to be courteous and alert. Thieves are less likely to steal if they think they are being watched.

·         Sales personnel can notice if merchandise is missing if it is displayed neatly in standard groups with three or four items per display.

·         Place small, expensive items in secured display cases close to sales staff. Counters that are near exits are easy targets for "grab and run" thieves.

·         When displaying clothes, turn every other hanger on the rack the opposite direction. This also deters the "grab and run" thief.

·         Display signs in your store that state "shoplifters will be prosecuted".

·         When you apprehend a shoplifter, contact the police department regarding actions you should follow. Cooperate with law enforcement, and with the attorney prosecuting the case.

Preventing credit card fraud:

·         Ask for identification with every credit card purchase. Examples of valid identification include a valid driver's license or I.D. card.

·         Don't accept credit cards without checking the "hot sheet" or telephoning for authorization when not using a computerized system.

·         Always destroy carbons, if used, from purchase invoices to prevent credit card numbers and names from falling into the wrong hands.

Check cashing precautions:

·         Accept only local checks with the current names and addresses printed on them.

·         Does the check have a low number or no printed number? About 90% of bad checks are drawn on new accounts.

·         Does the word amount match the number amount?

·         Examine checks closely. Don't accept any with alterations.

·         Accept only payroll or government checks when you know the person or can verify the check.

·         Don't accept postdated checks.

·         Don't accept two or more party checks.

·         Ask for identification with every  purchase. Examples of valid identification include a valid driver's license or I.D. card.

 

For more information calll the Wayne Police Department at 375-2626.