{"id":1988,"date":"2012-06-08T16:33:23","date_gmt":"2012-06-08T20:33:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/?p=1988"},"modified":"2017-11-09T08:51:39","modified_gmt":"2017-11-09T14:51:39","slug":"protect-your-maine-retail-store-from-theft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.noyeshallallen.com\/blog\/protect-your-maine-retail-store-from-theft\/","title":{"rendered":"Protect Your Maine Retail Store From Theft"},"content":{"rendered":"

Organized Retail Crime is widespread and on the rise, according to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation<\/a>. A record 96% of the 125 retail survey respondents reported being the victim of organized retail crime in the past year, and almost 88% said that Organized Retail Crime had increased in the past 3 years.\u00a0The survey respondents cited special concerns in cargo theft, fraudulent returns or gift cards, and collusion.<\/p>\n

Organized Retail Theft in Maine<\/h4>\n

Maine retail business insurance<\/a> clients have not been immune. From the Maine Mall to Main Street, Portland to Maine’s most rural outpost, clothing shop to convenience store, business insurance<\/a> claims for theft are filed every day.<\/p>\n

Organized theft is a special problem says Curtis Picard,\u00a0Executive Director of\u00a0Maine Merchants Association<\/a>. “These are not people stealing to feed their families; these are not crimes of convenience. These are groups or gangs purposely stealing specific items with the intent to resell them and they do hit Maine.”<\/p>\n

Organized retail theives don’t target a specific store. They target specific items. They want higher value items that are widely used and easy to steal in quantity. Popular targets are baby formula, over the counter medications and believe it or not, Tide Laundry Detergent.<\/p>\n

“The internet has made it so much easier to resell these items. Search Prilosec or Crest White Strips on a site like eBay; you will see numerous listings for these items featuring ‘new in box’ or ‘original packaging’. Chances are these items were stolen”, Picard says.<\/p>\n

Employees of a well-known store in Kittery can sometimes spot vans unloading several individuals who spread out to hit multiple stores at once, Picard says. It doesn’t matter where your store is – only what you sell. If your store has the items they are looking for, you may be a target.<\/p>\n

Retail Fraud in Maine<\/h4>\n

Theft of items is only one problem, according to Picard. “UPC Code swapping, fake receipts and gift card theft are other forms of Organized Retail Crime. Thankfully, Maine retailers and law enforcement maintain a good relationship and get together at various times during the year to share information about groups. That cooperation has lead to more arrests and better prevention.”<\/p>\n

Maine Merchants’ web site has .pdf copies of Maine Police Intel Bulletin for Retail<\/a>, that provide some examples, including:<\/p>\n