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Real Small Business: Management

Small Business Security Resources

From the Editors of Real Small Business

If you're serious about combating employee theft and fraud, there are some basic steps you can take. The tips in the previous articles are a start. But every business is different. You will need to analyze your specific business practices to ensure you are doing everything in your power to keep crime at bay.

There are places you can go for help. Your CPA should be able to assist you in creating internal financial controls that may reduce your risk of embezzlement. Contact your trade or industry association to learn about specific fraud issues that affect companies such as yours. Try some of the resources listed below for additional assistance.

American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS)
1625 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2818
Phone: 703-519-6200
This is the trade association of industrial security professionals. Its Web site includes information on arresting employee theft, along with other security issues. The group also publishes Security Management magazine, which regularly covers industrial security and employee theft issues facing different industries. Check out its online archive of past articles for additional tips.

National Retail Federation
25 7th Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004
Phone: 202-783-7971
This is the trade group of the retail industry. It regularly conducts studies on shrinkage and employee theft, and offers a variety of resources to members and non-members who want to discourage fraud in their retail establishments.

National Restaurant Association
1200 Seventeenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036-3097
Phone: 202-331-5900
The restaurant and food service industry is among the hardest hit by employee theft and fraud. This is the industry association for restaurants. It regularly studies methods for reducing employee theft. You may also be able to network with other restaurant owners who are facing similar security issues.

Surety Association of America
1101 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-463-0600
This is the trade association of companies involved in the bonding industry. You can contact it for information and background on fidelity bonds and other ways to insure your business against employee theft.

Retail Loss Prevention Exchange
This independent site contains a range of resources for information on shrinkage and retail theft. It sponsors occasional surveys aimed at loss prevention professionals.

Justice Information Center
This is the online service of The National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS). It is one of the most extensive clearinghouses of information on criminal justice, and is used by policymakers and professionals. It is a sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice and other groups.

National Fraud Information Center
PO Box 65868
Washington, DC 20035
Not all fraud that affects small businesses comes from within. Sponsored by the National Consumer League, this organization takes on direct mail and Internet fraud. It details many of the latest scams, and provides a method for business owners and individuals to report fraudulent business practices.