TIPS FOR PREVENTION COMMERCIAL ROBBERY:

Take measures that make your store unattractive to robbers. Some prevention measures include:

• A clean, neat store; attentive sales staff; a visible cash register; good lighting; and frequent deposits to the bank.
• The use of mirrors, cameras, alarms, and security personnel in high-crime areas.

WHAT TO DO WHEN A ROBBERY OCCURS:

• Cooperate with the robber for your safety and the safety of others.
• Make an effort to stay calm and think clearly. Make mental notes of the robber's physical description and other observations that will help law enforcement officers.
• If you can reach your silent alarm without this being noticed, do so. Otherwise, wait until the robber leaves.
• Have a prearranged signal with your employees that indicates a robbery is occurring. Do not use it if the robber can see you. Instead, wait until the robber leaves.
• Most robbers are as nervous as you, so be careful!

TIPS FOR PREVENTION SHOPLIFTING:

• Train your staff to be courteous and alert. Thieves are less likely to steal if they think they are being watched.
• Sales personnel can notice if merchandise is missing if it is displayed neatly in standard groups with three or four items per display.
• Place small, expensive items in secured display cases close to sales staff. Counters that are near exits are easy targets for "grab and run" thieves.
• When displaying clothes, turn every other hanger on the rack the opposite direction. This also deters the "grab and run" thief.
• Display signs in your store that state "shoplifters will be prosecuted".
• When you apprehend a shoplifter, contact the police department regarding actions you should follow. Cooperate with law enforcement, and with the attorney prosecuting the case.

PREVENTING CREDIT CARD FRAUD: 

• Ask for identification with every credit card purchase. Examples of valid identification include a valid California driver's license or California I.D. card.
• Don't accept credit cards without checking the "hot sheet" or telephoning for authorization when not using a computerized system.
• Always destroy carbons, if used, from purchase invoices to prevent credit card numbers and names from falling into the wrong hands.

CHECK CASHING PRECAUTIONS: 

• Accept only local checks with the current names and addresses printed on them.
• Does the check have a low number or no printed number? About 90% of bad checks are drawn on new accounts.
• Does the word amount match the number amount?
• Examine checks closely. Don't accept any with alterations.
• Accept only payroll or government checks when you know the person or can verify the check.
• Don't accept postdated checks.
• Don't accept two or more party checks.

In Los Angeles County, the District Attorney's Office has a Bad Check Enforcement Program to track down bad check writers, return the money to the victims, and to deter future offenses through a diversion program and possible criminal prosecution.

Any person who receives a bad check is eligible to participate in the program if the following conditions are met:

• The check must have been written and passed within the Los Angeles County.
• The victim must submit a "non-sufficient funds" check to the bank twice before referring it to the program. "Account closed" checks need only be submitted once.
• The amount of the bad check must be $25.00 or greater.

To apply for the program and to receive further information, victims should obtain a Bad Check Report form from the local District Attorney's Office, police or sheriff's department, or chamber of commerce.

You may also call (800) 842-0733 or write to the:

Los Angeles County District Attorney
Bad Check Restitution Program
PMB 880, 7095 Hollywood Blvd, Suite 104
Los Angeles, CA 90028-8903

http://da.lacounty.gov/badcheck.htm

For more information, call the Community Relations Unit of the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8474.

This page was last modified on 02/13/2008