LESSON PLAN COVER SHEET
SUBJECT: BUSINESS CRIME PREVENTION
INSTRUCTOR(S): ICJS Crime Prevention Instructors
UNIT:
PHONE: 512-245-6233
PHONE: 877-304-2727
TIME ALLOTTED: 1 HOUR AND 20 MINUTES
INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS:
POWER POINT PRESENTATION
STUDENT MATERIALS:
HANDOUTS
PREREQUISITE EXPERIENCE OF THE LEARNERS:
CRIME PREVENTION OFFICERS (POLICE OFFICERS) AND QUALIFIED CIVILIAN PERSONNEL
GOAL (PURPOSE OF THE COURSE)
This combined lesson is designed to provide the student with knowledge & skills he/she will need to
assist business owners during a Crime Prevention Business “Commercial Security” Survey
DATE PREPARED: 1 OCTOBER 2009
DATE REVISED:
PREPARED BY: OFFICER JIMMY MEEKS
REVISED BY:
INSTRUCTOR LESSON PLAN
SUBJECT: BUSINESS CRIME PREVENTION
UNIT:
LESSON OBJECTIVES (Specific points of information to complete the goal statement):
•Learning Objective: The student will be able to identify, explain and recommend robbery
awareness tips on how to prevent robbery.
•Learning Objective: The student will be able to identify, explain and recommend robbery
awareness tips on appropriate employee responses to a robbery situation or event.
•Learning Objective: The student will be able to identify, explain and recommend enhance
security measures designed to reduce risk of robbery in their business.
•Learning Objective: The student will be able to identify and explain what is shrinkage.
•Learning Objective: The student will be able to identify contributing factors to employee
theft – why employees steal from their employer.
•Learning Objective: The student will be able to identify and explain procedural controls
designed to reduce the risk of employee theft.
•Learning Objective: The student will be able to identify shrinkage control methods designed
to reduce employee theft.
•Learning Objective: The student will be able to identify the types of shoplifters.
•Learning Objective: The student will be able to identify the method of operation “Modis
Operandi” of shoplifters.
•Learning Objective: The student will be able to identify and explain a training plan for
business owners and their employees using topics and methods designed to reduce the risk of
shoplifting.
•Learning Objective: The student will be able to identify, explain and make security
recommendations designed to reduce risk of shoplifting.
•Learning Objective: Student will be able to identify why business people feel they must
accept checks and credit cards.
•Learning Objective: Student will be able to identify why business people are reluctant to
have strict policies and enforcement when accepting checks and credit
•Learning Objective: Student will be able to identify the main cause of loss from fraudulent
checks and credit.
•Learning Objective: Student will be able to identify acceptable and unacceptable types of
identification for check and credit card.
•Learning Objective: Student will be able to identify correct procedures for establishing a
check cashing and credit card acceptance policy
•Learning Objective: Students will be able to list the proper procedures for cashing checks and
accepting credit cards.
•Learning Objective: Students will be able to explain the magnetic numbers on the check.
•Learning Objective: Student will be able to list the items on a check or credit card that can be
used to determine the authenticity of a check or credit card.
INSTRUCTOR'S LESSON PLAN
I. PREPARATION (Student Motivation / Opening Statement)
In addition as a New CRIME PREVENTION PRACTITIONER you will be called on by business
owners to conduct crime prevention employee training in these related subject areas. Look at how
this presentation was put together to train you and let it be a model that you can use to do your
trainings in the future.
II. PRESENTATION (Implementation of Instruction)
ROBBERY AWARENESS
Of the crimes that businesses face, robbery involves the least loss of money or other
assets.
Unlike other crimes, however; robbery puts the employees in physical danger.
A business can take some simple preventative measures to reduce their risk of being a
robbery victim.
The way a business is managed, and the physical conditions of the building can help
prevent robberies.
Have at least two employees open and close the business
Do not release personal information to strangers
Keep purses and personal valuables locked in desks or lockers
Install a robbery alarm
Place a surveillance camera behind the cash register facing the front counter. Replace videotapes
regularly
Don't use marked "moneybags" that make it obvious to would-be robbers you are carrying money for
deposit
Keep a low balance in the cash register
Place excess money in a safe or deposit it as soon as possible
Handle cash carefully.
Avoid making your business a tempting target for robbers.
Keep the amount of cash in registers low.
Drop all large bills right away.
If a customer tries to pay with a large bill, politely ask if he or she has a smaller one.
Explain that you keep very little cash on hand.
Use only one register at night. Leave other registers empty and open. Tilt the register drawer to
show there is no money in it
Cooperate with the robber for your own safety and the safety of others.
Comply with a robber's demands.
Remain calm and think clearly.
Make mental notes of the robber's physical description and other observations important to law
enforcement officers
If you have a silent alarm and can reach it without being noticed, use it. Otherwise, wait until the
robber leaves
Be careful, most robbers are just as nervous as you are
Keep your business well-lit, inside and outside.
Employees should report any burned-out lights to the business owner or manager.
Keep trees and bushes trimmed, so they don't block any outdoor lights.
Don't put up advertisements, flyers, displays, signs, posters or other items on windows or doors that
might obstruct the view of the register from inside or outside your business.
Make sure the sales counter can be seen clearly.
The police cruising by your store need to see in.
Stay alert! Know who is in your business and where they are.
Watch for people who hang around without buying anything.
Be aware of suspicious activity outside your place of business.
Write down license numbers of suspicious vehicles if visible from the inside of your business
Try to greet customers as they enter your business.
Look them in the eye, and ask them if they need help.
Your attention can discourage a robber
If you see something suspicious, call the police. Never try to handle it yourself. It could cost you
your life
Use care after dark.
Be cautious when cleaning the parking lot or taking out the trash at night.
Make sure another employee inside the business keeps you within eye contact while you are
involved in work details outside of your building
Make sure important signs stay posted. For example, the front door should bear signs that say,
"Clerk Cannot Open the Time Lock Safe."
If your business is robbed put your safety first. Your personal safety is more important than
money or merchandise.
Don't talk except to answer the robber's questions
Don't stare directly at the robber
Don't make any sudden moves.
Prevent surprises, keep your hands in sight at all times
Tell the robber if someone is coming out of the back room or vault or working in another area of
your business.
Don't chase or follow the robber out of your place of business.
Leave the job of catching the robber to the police.
INTERNAL THEFT
Company is more vulnerable to employee theft than shoplifting
“A man’s enemies are men of his own house”…Biblical saying
Dishonest employees can steal several items at one time or several items throughout the day
Employees steal from their employers for opportunity, desire, and/or excitement.
Some steal for retaliation, no raise or boss did not give them day off the employee ask for. A
myriad of reasons exist
Security experts generally agree that loss to employee theft is greater than loss to shoplifters
PROCEDURAL CONTROLS
Series of systems that guide employee activities. Procedural controls that are beneficial
and can be cost effective and easily implemented
Designed for prevention not detection
Attitude of management towards their employees
Is cost and effort proportionate to the problem?
If employee theft is discovered employer should prosecute or thief just moves around
PURCHASING CONTROLS
Manipulate process for spending company’s money
Commonly fall prey to unscrupulous vendors
Gratuity policy will help prevent
Management, purchasing agents and vendors need to all know the rules or company
policies
FRAUD practiced in purchasing consist of vendors kicking back part of the sales price to
the buyer or other employees who authorize purchases
Purchasing agent vendor selection fee
Receive & File competitive bids
Vendor return a percentage of the gross order to the buyer
Added cost for the kick back is borne by the owner
Owner receives shoddy service or inferior goods (merchandise)
Rotation of vendors
Written notification to all biding that contracts are not awarded to vendors who offer gifts
Periodic expense analysis performed by outside auditing firm
Company policy that spells out no gratuities and sanctions that will be taken against
violators
RECEIVING IN A PROTECTED AREA
Best to receive goods and material within a fenced in area where only suppliers (delivery)
vehicles and company vehicles are authorized
Do not allow employee parking within 50 feet of receiving door.
Layout arranged to eliminate blind spots
Prohibit leaving merchandise on receiving dock, keep doors locked.
SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS
SHRINKAGE CONTROL METHODS MOST FREQUENTLY USED
Training Programs
HS Lock and chain devices
Guards/Detectives
Observation Booths – mirrors
Fitting room attendants
Visible and concealed cameras
Secure storage cages, Etc.
SHOPLIFTING AWARENESS
Stealing a coke from a local convenience store (STOP n ROB) or a pen from a stationary
store may not seem like a major crime to the casual observer, but to the small
businessperson fighting for survival, it can be disastrous!
TYPES of SHOPLIFTERS
“The AMATEUR”
steals on impulse because he/she desires an item.
“The Professional” in the business of stealing as a way of life.
Highly skilled - steals items that can be quickly sold.
They concentrate on high demand items, TV’s, Stereos, small appliances.
Cases or scopes out (Recons) his/her target.
METHODS of OPERATION
May work alone or in groups.
One member starts argument with employee/management other steals.
Large bags, packages, coats, newspapers, or wear clothing under their own clothes, Etc.
Juveniles and professionals tend to work in groups.
Impulse shoplifters work alone
EMPLOYEE TRAINING
Be alert to shoplifters early warning signals.
Watch the way people walk
Count number of items customer takes into fitting room Look
Shoplifters do not want any attention
Customers lingering in one area
Look for switched labels
Look for person with “DUCK TAPE” around their wrist.
SHOPLIFTING – SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS
Maintain adequate lighting
Keep protruding wings and end displays low
Keep high value pilfers able items behind counter.
Noise alarms on un-locked exit doors.
Merchandise alarms
Two-way mirrors
Convex Wall
Closed-circuit television
Detectives posing as customers
Uniformed off-duty Police Officers
Uniformed Security Officers
ARREST AND APPREHEND
As a “Crime Prevention” practitioner be prepared to offer advice to store owners or
managers concerning the arrest and prosecution of shoplifters detectives posing as
customers
“Be prepared as many will be opposed to this form of prevention. Many corporate offices
will not allow their store managers do this – due to perception of bad publicity”
CHECKS AND CREDIT CARDS
Most businesses cash checks for convenience to customers to encourage new or
continued patronage.
Laxity on the part of business people, combined with their desire to increase sales, makes
fraudulent checks and fraudulent use of credit cards (Theft of Service) make them a
significant problem.
For every careful merchant who refuses to accept a check there is another down the street
who will accept it.
The criminal need only find his mark.
As you do your commercial surveys today you will see for yourself that many businesses
do not have an established check cashing procedure or policy
Why do business people feel that they have to accept Checks and Credit Cards?
Lose business (#1 Reason)
Customer convenience
Competition does it
Encourages impulse buying
Reduces cash handling
Why are many business people reluctant to have strict policies and enforcement when
accepting checks and credit cards?
Alienate customers & Lose business
Lack of training on how to thoroughly examine checks
Time training employees
Time and expense of prosecution
List the main causes of loss from fraudulent checks and credit cards.
Laxity
Failure to thoroughly examine check
Failure to electronically verify check
Failure to require proper ID
Fraudulent ID
ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION
Valid driver’s license or DPS ID with picture
Military ID with picture
Passport
SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS
Employee training
Strict enforcement of policy
Post policy
Electronic verification
Don’t return card and DL until verified.
Patron signs check in front of clerk
Do not accept out-of-state or to a 3rd party check starting with low number, made out to
cash
Limit amount of purchase
Management approval for over amount
Thoroughly examine check and ID
Compare signatures, and photo, age, etc
Compare written and numerical amount
Do not accept pre or post dated checks
CHECK TAMPERING PROCEDURES
Complete legible, accurate, no write-over's
Look for signs of tampering
Name and address printed
American Banker’s Association numbers
Bank name and location
All printing should be quality
Payee signature.
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition numbers, dull finish, slightly raised
MICR numbers always begin 5+5/8” from right edge
At least 1, but as many as 3 perforated edges.
What info should clerk record on front of check?
Record on front of check:
DL #
DOB
Supporting ID
Phone
Employee ID.
KEY TOPIC POINTS ELABORATION ON KEY POINTS
1.Identify, explain and recommend robbery awareness tips on how to prevent robbery.
2.Identify, explain and recommend robbery awareness tips on appropriate employee responses to a robbery
situation or event.
3.Identify, explain and recommend enhance security measures designed to reduce risk of robbery in a
business.
4.Identify and explain what is shrinkage.
5.Identify contributing factors to employee theft – why employees steal from their employer.
6.Identify and explain procedural controls designed to reduce the risk of employee theft.
7.Identify shrinkage control methods designed to reduce employee theft.
9.Identify the types of shoplifters.
10.Identify the method of operation “Modis Operandi” of shoplifters.
11.Identify and explain a training plan for business owners and their employees using topics and methods
designed to reduce the risk of shoplifting.
12.Identify, explain and make security recommendations designed to reduce risk of shoplifting.
13.Identify why business people feel they must accept checks and credit cards.
14.Identify why business people are reluctant to have strict policies and enforcement when accepting
checks and credit
15.Identify the main cause of loss from fraudulent checks and credit.
16.Identify acceptable and unacceptable types of identification for check and credit card.
17.Identify correct procedures for establishing a check cashing and credit card acceptance policy
18.List the proper procedures for cashing checks and accepting credit cards.
19.Explain the magnetic numbers on the check.
20.List the items on a check or credit card that can be used to determine the authenticity of a check or credit
card
III. APPLICATION: Planning for student to practice or apply new knowledge (where applicable)
CONDUCTING A BUSINESS SURVEY
IV. EVALUATION: Final check of student's comprehension of material presented
TEST TO BE GIVEN AT END OF COURSE
V. REFERENCES:
•Handbook of Loss Prevention and Crime Prevention (Fourth Edition) Lawrence J. Fennelly.
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