NCJ Number
155249
Date Published
1994
Length
54 pages
Annotation
This text describes ways in which business owners and managers can protect against losses due to crime by increasing their awareness of crimes against businesses, giving them proven guidelines for crime prevention and control, and identifying agencies that can assist businesses in security planning and crime control.
Abstract
Most companies lose between 1 and 15 percent of their gross sales volume to crime. Small businesses generally lose more than medium-sized and large companies. Proper security procedures can significantly affect personal and business liability, although small businesses typically lack adequate security controls. Since crimes against businesses are crimes of opportunity, effective security can minimize business losses due to crime. Business crimes are categorized as internal and external, and general management guidelines are offered to minimize business crimes that focus on responsibility, strength, fairness, and honesty. Specific attention is paid to the prevention of employee theft, robbery, breaking and entering, shoplifting, bad checks, refund fraud, credit card fraud, and counterfeit bills. The text also identifies agencies that can help businesses prevent crime and includes an incident report form, suspect identification tips, and a sample crime alert telephone system.