The Rise of Internet Shoplifters

For many people, the internet is simultaneously one of the best and worst inventions of modern times. Whilst we are able to use desktop computers, mobile phones and tablet devices to find an endless amount of information, shop from the comfort of our own homes and connect with people from all over the world – this also works in a negative light. The internet can also be a platform for organised crime and be a conduit to inform, the unscrupulous among us to learn ways to defraud retailers by sharing news on how to defeat shop security systems. This can have a huge effect on retailers

The Internet's Shoplifting Clubs

That organisation that the internet brings leads to people posting on forums, social media – even writing blogs on tips, ideas and information on how to shoplift, avoid security and even offer advice on how to remove all types of EAS security tags. This advice is eagerly read by others, who may also be interested in stealing goods from stores. Whilst larger store groups may be able greater levels of security, smaller store groups may not have the scale of security teams required to defend against a wave of shoplifting. To add to that, once a store has a reputation 'of being easily stolen from', this can only open it up to even more people willing to steal, not to mention scare genuine customers away.

But even some 'shoplifters' are victims themselves. Last year, the Manchester Evening News ran an article on people who were duped into a personal shopper scam that saw them enter a store and take items that they believed, as a personal shopper, they were allowed to do. As you can imagine, this 'job' proved to be attractive to people seeking short-term work, such as students. According to the article, one such student applied for the job online, after originally seeing an advertisement on social media and was given a phone call and taken through what they needed to do. From reading that sequence of events, it's easy to see how people can be led to believe that this was a genuine job but as it turns out, it wasn't. Told to bag up the goods that they had 'selected' and send them away, the 'personal shoppers' were just unknowing-shoplifters gathering goods for a fence. Whilst the shoplifting incidents mentioned in the article occurred in major retailers, it isn't difficult to imagine smaller, less protected stores being targeted by such a scam in the future.

Buying Detaggers Online

Another major internet-based shoplifting market is the sale of security tag detachers or detaggers as they are sometimes called. For old EAS tags, people can actually BUY a detaggers online and simply walk into a store, remove or deactivate the tag and walk out with the goods without the alarm system going off. As you can imagine, this offers a nightmare scenario for retailers, as despite investing in tagging systems that otherwise would do the job of protecting stock effectively, they will be no use when a untagged product that hasn't been paid for, is taken through their field of monitoring.

Scorpion From Tagmax: A Modern Security Tagging Solution

Here at Tagmax we have spent well over 20 years in the retail security industry, keeping our fingers on the pulse of the trends and changing security technologies. As such, with shoplifting threats being such a constant menace to retailers of all sizes, we are proud to present the very latest in retail tagging technology - Scorpion, a retail security tagging system with a real sting in the tail.

The benefits of this new type of tagging include:

• Superior Detection. When compared to other EAS tags, the Scorpion tag out performs all other tags on the market in terms of detection. This is particularly apparent where 'hidden systems like under floor or around door systems are used' where normal tag detection is poor the Scorpion Tag shines, making stock more secure than ever.
• Secondary alarm system. Many older shop security tags are simply made to set the sensor off – they can be removed in-store and not set off an alarm. This isn't an issue with the Scorpion, as our lanyard, pin and micro sensor models have all been designed with a secondary alarm; when they're tampered with and attempted to be removed, they will set off an alarm regardless of where the tag is positioned in-store. Not just alarming themselves but also sending to a remote alarm ( perhaps near the cash desk or back office).
  
• Compatible with your existing EAS systems. Scorpion tags are compatible with all current systems in the market including 8.2Mhz, 66Khz and 58Khz pedestal, under floor or loop security system. The presence of Scorpion tags will allow you to protect higher priced more exclusive garments that are more prone to theft along side your existing system, essentially 'super charging' your existing security system.
• A unique deactivator. Manufactured by Tagmax, the pocket-sized device that deactivates the tags of products that have been genuinely purchased, isn't available for sale anywhere online. What's more, is that the device has the option for retailers to possess an individual code that relates a deactivator with the tags present in-store – meaning that only devices that contain the code will be able to deactivate the tags.

If you're looking for an effective and unique security tagging solution in this modern world, that will protect your store from profit-affecting shoplifting, then choose Scorpion from Tagmax.

Keep your business optimised with Tagmax

Aside from our brand-new Scorpion tagging systems, we also retail a wide range of retail security equipment, including CCTV and analytical software; all designed to ensure that you are able to get the very best out of your business.

If you would like more information on our Scorpion security tags, or any other retail systems services, please don't hesitate to give us a call 0800 044 3160 or alternatively, you can send us an e-mail at sales@tagmax.co.uk.