How To Prevent Employee Theft By Hiring the Right People

With employee theft estimated to cost U.S. businesses $50 billion annually, it’s become a major problem for this country’s companies. In fact, it is estimated that 33% of all business bankruptcies are a direct result of employee theft.

That’s why taking measures to prevent theft should be a major concern of for every business owner and management team.

Beating employee theft is a battle that must be fought on many levels. Everything from access control systems to full business security solutions can be used with great success. However, the first level, good hiring practices, can significantly decrease the likelihood of problems.

Here are some good hiring practices that you should implement in your business:

• Get The Applicant’s Consent – There are federal and state laws that govern the collection of information about someone you’re looking to hire. It’s important to get written agreement from someone before you take any of the other steps outlined in this post. You’ll also want to check with your lawyer for more precise details.

• Verify Education And Certification Claims – Make sure that your interviewee has attended the school(s) they posted on their resume, and make sure they are in good standing with any organization that they say they are certified by. Remember, just because they had certification at one time, doesn’t mean that their certification hasn’t been revoked.

• Contact Past Employers – Calling past employers is a great way to learn more about a job applicant. Even if they will only give you position and employment dates, their tone often tells a lot about what they really thought.

• Check References – Few employers actually check references and job applicants know this. By actually talking with someone’s references, you’ll learn a lot of valuable information that will help you make a hiring decision.

• Check Criminal Record – Unless you want to hire felons, it’s important that you know that your new employee has a clean criminal record.

• Do A Google Search – These days there’s a lot more on the web than people realize. Enter the candidate’s name into Google and see what pops up. Look for any articles about the person, check their Facebook page, and make sure that he/she looks like a trustable person. Just remember to make sure that any information you gather is actually about the person you’re hiring and not someone else with the same name.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to fighting employee theft. But it’s only a start. A lot of employee theft comes from trusted employees with no record of wrong doing. Stay tuned to our blog to learn more about how you can stop employee theft.

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Home Security Solutions To Prevent Burglary

According to the FBI, someone’s house, apartment, or condo is burglarized every 15 seconds, in the United States.

It’s for that exact reason that so many people choose to purchase a home security system to keep their home and family safe.

However, a security system isn’t the only way to prevent burglary. By combining your home security system with the measures listed here, you’ll increase your chances of stopping burglars from entering your home.

The average criminal is looking for four things when they case a house. Those things are:

Valuable stuff to steal (TVs, Appliances, Jewelry, Etc.).

1. An easy way to enter and exit the house without being seen.
2. Nobody at the home.
3. No active security system.

If they can establish those four things, they will feel comfortable that they can steal your stuff and get away without being caught.

With that in mind, it’s not difficult to set up your home so that it’s not in a criminal’s best interest to target you.

• Make your home look occupied at all times. You can do this by:

• Using automatic timers on lights and radios so they are visible and audible throughout the day while you’re away.

• Make sure your home phone cannot be heard from outside.

• Always park in the garage and leave the garage door closed. This way criminals can’t spot a pattern and figure out when you’re away.

• Leave your valuable belongings out of view and keep windows closed.

• Install motion detector lights and good lighting all around your house.

• Remove or keep all hedges and shrubs well trimmed around your house. This way there will be no place for a burglar to hide.

• Keep your security system active and well maintained at all times.

Don’t forget to consult your home burglar security alarm systems provider for more information.

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How Landscaping Can Protect Your Home From Burglary

Home security systems and alarm monitoring are great ways to protect your home from burglary. But did you know that landscaping should be included in your home security prevention plan?

An overgrown lawn with untrimmed hedges cries “easy opportunity” to burglars. A freshly cut lawn, trimmed bushes and flowers give the impression that someone is home. A little landscaping could be the difference maker in providing a little extra protection to your home while you’re gone.

If you’re going on vacation for a few weeks, follow these tips to make sure your landscaping is up to par.

• Cut your grass, be sure to rake and sweep trimmings
• Trim tree branches near home and rake dead leaves
• Water your followers and set any sprinkler systems if available
• If you have any fruit trees, pick up fallen fruit
• Be sure perimeter lighting is working
• In winter, be sure driveways are plowed by a service or neighbor

Besides landscaping, be sure to cancel newspaper and mail delivery while you’re gone. Also, store bicycles, mowers, grills and other valuable outdoor items in a secure place such as a garage or basement.

Most importantly, don’t wait until the last minute to do this. Who really wants to do yard work right before vacation? We suggest cutting your grass and trimming bushes a few days before you leave. Then on the day before your vacation, you can focus on a few last-minute things such as fallen fruit and watering.

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Quick Guide For Preventing Shoplifting In Your Store

According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, more than $13 billion worth of goods are stolen from retailers each year. Retailers can protect their store by enacting a few tried and true tips. We recommend store owners do the following:

• Try to understand the techniques shoplifters use to steal items
• Discuss with your employees the best practices that deter the threat of shoplifting
• Make your retail establishment a shopper-friendly experience

Shoplifters often steal merchandise out of sight in a fitting room or a part of the store where it is difficult to see them. Locking fitting room doors and arranging your store so there are clear views where no one can hide are two cost-effective ways to deter theft.

Incorporating your staff into your shoplifting prevention plan is another cost-effective solution. Employees should greet customers when they enter the store and pay attention to suspicious activity. It is less likely that someone will steal if an employee is able identify them. Providing incentives, such as bonuses or discounts, to employees also helps keep them on high alert.

Sometimes shoplifters will switch price tags on items to receive a significant discount. It is important for cashiers to be aware of the actual price of items.

While training your employees is a good first line of defense, incorporating business security solutions and a camera surveillance system adds an extra layer of security, deterring potential shoplifters. Another effective method is placing security tabs on high-priced items.

Security is important, but so is good customer service. Don’t let your shoplifting plan overwhelm you, your employees or your customers.

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How To Prevent Robberies At Your Business

Robberies can be a major problem for some businesses, and it’s important that you take every step you can to protect your employees, customers, and store.

There are a number of methods that you can follow that will help prevent robberies and keep everybody as safe as possible.

• Your business security system must include a good security camera surveillance system. This means a professionally installed, highly visible system that records all areas where frequent customer interactions occur.

• Train your employees to look for suspicious behavior. Sometimes it is possible to notice threats before they happen. And when they do, contact the authorities immediately. By having your employees look for anxious, jittery, or suspicious people, you can help prevent robberies.

• Take police action immediately. Employees should pay careful attention to what robbers look like, so they can give a full description to police. Be sure to take every action necessary to aid in the arrest. This makes the statement that you are not a safe target to rob in the future.

• Be friendly. Believe it or not, having your employees be really friendly to every customer that walks through the door can potentially stop robberies. People don’t rob someone that they like so if the robber is immediately treated nicely before they have a chance to act, they may leave without causing trouble.

No strategy is fool-proof, but by taking the actions recommended here and discussing your options with an experience security professional, you can significantly cut down on the risk of robberies in your business.

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Business Security For Your Home Office

As more and more people work from home – either through telecommuting or because they run their own small business – the concept of business home security is becoming more and more important.

After all, if you’re at home, but also at your business, which type of protection do you really need?

The answer is you need a little of both. Since you are in a private residence, you’ll technically need a home security system rather than business security solutions. However, since you are also in a place of business, you’ll want to take some additional security measures that most homes do not need.

You’ll want to make sure that in addition to a well-maintained security alarm, you have deadbolts on all doors and also that you keep windows and other possible entry points locked. Also be careful to not leave the spare key under the doormat or in a vase where anyone can find it.

Pay extra attention to whom you give a key to. Providing keys to multiple employees can be potentially dangerous, and so you will want to be sure you can really trust someone before they get a key.

Finally, natural surveillance is helpful for deterring would-be thieves. By keeping your home office well lit, clearing away shrubs or areas where someone can hide, and taking steps to show that it will be difficult to break-in without being seen, you significantly decrease your risk of break-ins.

Be sure to mention your home office to a security professional for additional ways to stay protected.

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Do Security Alarm Systems Fail During Blackouts and Power Outages?

We get a lot of questions from people worried about the effects a blackout or power outage will have on their home security system. What we’ve learned is that many people are under the assumption that if their power goes out, so does their alarm system.

Fortunately for us, this isn’t the case. The engineers of alarm systems were quick to realize that a system that died when power was shut off didn’t really offer much security.

That’s why modern systems are all equipped with battery packs that come pre-installed. If the system is shut down for any reason, the battery immediately kicks in and allows uninterrupted protection and alarm monitoring.

Obviously batteries don’t last forever, but they will last until your power is back on. That way, you don’t have to worry about someone cutting your power, a storm destroying power lines, or any other problems that might occur.

If you’re still worried, ask your security company if your system has a battery installed. Chances are that it does but this may help you feel a little safer. Also make sure that you have regular maintenance on your system and that the battery is changed if it starts to run low.

During the next power outage in your area, don’t worry! You’re still protected.

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Outlining Your Security Goals

Before selecting an alarm system to protect your home or business, it’s always a good idea to carefully consider what your exact goals are for your security. Not everyone has the same needs when it comes to security and there is no one-size fits all response.

While a good security technician will help you walk through these goals more precisely, understanding them yourself can go a long way to getting the system you want. Ultimately, the time you take to consider your goals today can save you a lot of money in the long run while keeping your family or business safe and protected.

Before buying any home security system or business security system, ask yourself these questions:

How much protection do I really want?

While the top-of-the-line alarm system promises to give you a very high level of protection, it’s not for everybody. These higher end systems cost a lot more and can be overkill for many people.

If you are buying from a reputable security alarm company, any of the systems they offer you will be reliable and capable of protecting your home of business. It’s up to you whether you want to spring for the extra bells and whistles of the higher end systems.

How important is ease of use?

Not all security systems are equal when it comes to being easy to use. More complicated systems, which are still quite easy to use for adults, can cause problems if children will be using the alarm.

A system may be more complicated because of the additional features it offers, but if you have kids or anyone who might not be able to use a more complicated system, it’s a good idea to find an easy system that anyone can learn.

Can I trust my security company?

The most important step when it comes to setting up a reliable security system is selecting the best company to install, maintain, and monitor your system.

Selecting the right company can make the difference between keeping your family safe and having a break-in. Professionals know all of the security tricks and will help you choose the exact right system for you. You can also trust that the best company will install your system correctly and provide excellent monitoring services.

Before making your decision, research the company and talk to other customers to get their opinions. Make sure that the company has a long history of success, and that they guarantee their work against problems. If a company is willing to put their money where their mouth is, that’s a good sign that they are true professionals.

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How to Avoid False Alarms

Follow these simple steps to avoid triggering costly false alarms.

False alarms aren’t good for anyone.

They waste police resources, they’re inconvenient to everyone, and they could result in getting a fine from the police who must respond to the call.

Fortunately, preventing false alarms doesn’t have to be difficult. By following the advice in this post you can significantly cut down on false alarms and make the world a better place for everybody.

There are three general reasons that false alarms occur:

User Error – This can be forgetting to set the home alarm system, having a friend come over who doesn’t know what to do, or a careless child.

Alarm System Issues – These are generally from a poorly designed home security system or one that has not been properly maintained.

Natural Causes – Animals, earthquakes, rain, and other natural issues can cause alarms to go off at the wrong times.

While natural causes are difficult to predict or prevent, both user error and issues with the alarm system can be prevented.

User errors are generally caused by lack of experience or knowledge and are easily preventable. Make sure that everyone who regularly enters your house has memorized the code and knows exactly how to operate the system. Don’t ever give someone a key to your house without first teaching them how to work the system.

Issues with the alarm system can be easily dealt with by ensuring you are working with a reliable alarm company. Make sure that they are well regarded in the community and stand behind their work. If you already have a system installed, have it regularly maintained and inspected by a trained professional.

If you notice that your alarm system is acting abnormally or if it has triggered a false alarm, have your alarm company check the problem immediately to get your system in working order.

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Door-to-Door Alarm Salespeople May Be Scammers

If you live in Shasta or Butte County you must read this immediately!

Sheriffs in Shasta and Butte County are reporting that a number of scam artists have been ripping off residents in Redding and surrounding cities.

Posing as door-to-door salespeople or representatives of existing alarm companies, the scammers convince people to pay for “upgrades” to their services. These often expensive upgrades are actually simply a transfer of account to the scammer’s company and results in huge undisclosed fees.

Authorities are looking into the crime and Redding has opened the case number 10-42318. If you are suspicious that someone may be attempting to scam you, calmly collect their information and contact the Sheriff’s Office at 530-538-7321 or the Redding Police Department at 530-225-4200.

How to Protect Yourself

Not all door-to-door salespeople are scammers and it’s important that you can tell the difference between a legitimate representative of your alarm company and a phony.

Here is how you can tell the difference:

• Ask For A License – All alarm company employees are required by law to have an Alarm Company Employee (ACE) license. This means that they have undergone a complete Department of Justice background check, fingerprint scan, and are required to follow a strict set of operating procedures. If you are approached by someone that does not have their license with them, it’s a good bet that they are a scammer.

• Research Their Company – If you are buying a new system, research the company the company the salesperson works for before buying anything. Check out their website and make sure that they are legitimate. Never be pressured into buying an alarm system without first doing the proper research.

• Examine The Salesperson – Are they wearing the uniform from the company they claim to work for? Do they claim to be from Honeywell or GE (alarm manufacturers) instead of the actual company you have security services with? If you have any reason to doubt their credentials, contact your security company directly and ask about the person you talked to.

Don’t risk getting scammed. Immediately report any suspicious contact with door-to-door alarm salespeople to police and help protect your neighbors from these criminals.

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