SmallBizResource Blog -- Business Know-How

Watch Out For Holiday Shoplifters

Courtesy of Business Know-How Thursday, Dec 11, 2008, 11:59 AM ET

The holiday season should be one of joy and happiness -- even with a suffering economy. Unfortunately, this time of year also brings out the thieves, robbers and crooks.

Retail store owners -- like the ones who are out millions of dollars worth of merchandise thanks to "boosters" in the tri-state area -- aren't the only ones who need to be concerned during the holiday season. Thieves also take advantage of the crowds, parties and holiday cheer by surreptitiously entering business offices and stealing cash, equipment, and personal property.

The thieves blend in and act like delivery people, customers or employees. They stroll around the workplace looking for an opportunity, like an unattended laptop computer or handbag. While business owners and their employees are dealing with customers and well-wishers, the thieves are stealing whatever valuables they can slip into their coats or a phony shipping box.

Many business people bring on extra employees during the holiday season to handle the increase in business. Perhaps bringing on extra security is also in order. But if you can't afford to hire a guard or a loss prevention professional, you can contact your local police department's crime prevention officer. Most departments will offer to train employees in basic security and crime prevention measures.

Be aware and be alert is the best advice. Be aware that there are thieves out there, and they commit crimes during the holiday seasons. Be alert to suspicious behavior. Be aware of your business' security weaknesses. Ask yourself:

• Can one enter and leave your establishment freely and unobserved?
• Are checks, cash and pilferable items left out on workstations, desks and counters?
• Would it be easy for a thief disguised as a delivery man to wade through the workplace without being challenged by an employee?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need a new floor plan and additional security measures. Ask the crime prevention officer to look at your business layout and offer some sound advice.

Even with our current economic downturn, people will still be out strolling, shopping, eating and visiting, and the thieves will follow in their wake like a shark.

The holiday season is a joyful time, but one should also be aware of and alert to boosters and thieves.

-- Paul Davis is a writer who covers crime & security for newspapers, magazines and the Internet. He can be reached at daviswrite@aol.com.

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