INTERNAL  THEFT  /  EMBEZZLEMENT

One of the most common crimes is theft from employers. Many studies have been conducted in attempts to better identify employees who steal, their methodologies, trends and patterns. While there is no guaranteed course of action for total prevention of employee theft, there are several factors to consider to minimize this type of loss. While employee theft of all sorts always has certain characteristics, there can be important differences depending on the type of employer and the kind of product(s) involved.

Commercial retail stores experience numerous cases of missing cash, usually from a cash drawer or safe. Other items often missing in action are food stamps, coupon redemption certificates, gift certificates, and charge card slips. The list of vulnerable establishments includes grocery stores, retail stores, department stores, banks and credit unions, gas or auto service stations, and professional offices (medical, legal, etc.). Anytime employees handle cash or cashable items there is risk.

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While any employee at any time is theoretically capable of committing a theft from their employer, it is interesting to note that the average tenure of employment of those caught stealing from their employer is nine (9) years. It is thought that some employees with many years of service have decided that they are under-paid and unappreciated, and therefore feel justified in the theft.

Shoplifting is often a method of disguise for employee theft. While it is true that a large part of slippage is due to shoplifting by customers, a large per cent of loss is often attributable to employees. It is common for employees to steal from storage rooms or even right off the shelves--all along safe in the knowledge that it will be blamed on shoplifters.

RSA can implement various covert operations to discover or confirm the sources of your losses, including secret shoppers and electronic surveillance.

Industrial theft represents an enormous loss for manufacturers, warehouses, and suppliers. Employees may steal stocked items, tools and equipment, supplies, fuel, and even scrap. Most industrial managers concede that slippage in their inventory can not be easily explained, though most suspect their employees.

RSA specializes in undercover operations to infiltrate theft schemes by employees. Our detectives can pose as employees and witness first-hand what goes on behind your back.

Embezzlement is nothing more than common theft given a high-falutin name to represent the level of knowledge and skill usually involved. Accountants, managers, and any employee who has supervision of monies and accounts fall into the category of potential embezzlers. Opportunity and temptation can be prevented much more easily in this category than other types of theft.

RSA has the knowledge and experience to track your losses due to overly creative bookkeeping and discover the source of any illicit manipulations of your funds.

Most effective loss-prevention measures do cost money, and for that reason many preventative steps are never taken. But it must be remembered that most often they soon pay for themselves many times over.

Ron Scheiderer & Associates offers professional security consulting to review and evaluated your particular situation. Such services can include a review of policies and procedures, a review of hiring procedures and disciplinary procedures, or a survey of physical facilities.

If an ongoing theft is suspected, our expertise can help you resolve the situation quickly, discreetly, and efficiently.

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