Definition: Steps you can take to minimize the risk that your business may be
the victim of either an internal or external crime
According to experts on crime prevention, for a crime to occur,
three elements have to be present: ability, motivation and
opportunity. Eliminate any one of these, and the crime will not
occur. Here's how you can do that:
- Be wary of people who don't appear to belong in or around your
business. Ask them questions. If their answers are vague,
unconvincing or suspicious, call the police.
- Encourage employees to keep their personal possessions in sight
at all times. Do not leave purses or briefcases unattended in
public areas or unlocked offices anywhere. It only takes a matter
of seconds for things to disappear.
- Instruct everyone to lock office doors when they step out, even
for a minute.
- Install deadbolt locks on external doors. Burglars typically
spend no more than a few minutes or even seconds attempting to
break into a building. Sturdy, properly installed deadbolt locks on
all external doors are a must.
- Have a trustworthy locksmith rekey the locks on all new
facilities as soon as you move into them.
- Install outdoor floodlights to eliminate dark areas where
criminals might hide. Make sure parking areas are well-lit.
- Never leave the keys in company cars or other vehicles. Have a
sign-in board where they can be picked up by authorized employees.
Also, never leave car doors unlocked.
Internal crime is also an issue for some business owners. To
help prevent embezzlement or employee theft in your business, keep
an eye out for these 10 signs:
- Unwillingness of employees to take vacation
- Employees who refuse to delegate certain tasks
- A lack of dual control for tasks involving cash
- Ledgers and subledgers that don't balance
- Financial statements that don't balance
- Lack of audit trails
- Regular complains from customers that inventory shipments
aren't complete
- Unwillingness of bookkeeper or accountant to share
information
- Erratic behavior by an employee
- Unexpected bouncing of checks