When considering the time and money invested in the typical Organized Retail Crime ring (and many times your everyday shoplifter) it should come as no surprise that there have been many tactics invented to defeat the processes implemented by Loss Prevention and Asset Protection agents. While the typical ORC group/solo shoplifter will have tactics and an overall response method for dealing with what LPs and APs do in response to their activity, it is very important to understand that they also have a long list of things they do to defeat the processes that are in use in preparation for their arrival. The average shoplifter is aware of both active and passive deterrence methods.
One of the strongest methods of deterrence employed by a retailer (aside from the active deterrence of the employees’ presence and interaction) is the use of Electronic Article Surveillance. This is the use of radio tags, of many types, attached or implanted within merchandise in order to set off alarms at major exit points or department separations.
These methods of deterrence are useful against the typical shoplifter who decides to steal on the fly. The opportunists do not come prepared to defeat the EAS systems and, as such, make the smarter choice of not stealing. They are defeated by the presence of the system.
Many of the passive methods are easily defeated by the professional shoplifter, however, since he has arrived aware of his enemies tactics. Among the professional’s methods of defeating the systems implemented are the following:
· Tools: Any number of tools found in the average toolbox or car trunk can be used to break, detach, short out and generally defeat the common EAS systems used by retailers. A great number of shoplifters, when searched by Law Enforcement, have within pockets or purses, some kind of tool used for EAS removal. Skill Level: Novice to Medium.
· EAS Jammer: These items can be purchased online for reasonable prices, and instructions for their creation can be found even cheaper (even free). These items defeat the signal range used by the EAS Detection pedestals used at exits and department separations and allow an item to pass without being detected. Often slightly unreliable, and only able to be powered for a few minutes at a time, these tools are not found in use very often, but are an immediate indicator of either a pro-level solo shoplifter or an ORC group. Skill Level: Pro.
· Aluminum Foil: Any item containing or contained within a device that is designed to communicate with an EAS Pedestal can be defeated if you deny the communication. Quality aluminum foil, or cheap foil in abundance, can be used as a barrier that will deny the radio communication between the item and the tower, preventing the alarm from sounding. This tactic is used by beginners, is fairly noisy and easy to detect (because the sound of foil in your fitting room is pretty obvious), but is still fairly frequently used for electronics theft. Skill Level: Novice to Medium.
· Aluminum Foil Booster Bag: This is the pro-level use of Aluminum Foil. The shoplifter has created a bag/box/backpack lined with thick layers of aluminum foil as a total enclosure (with a closure flap, is order to not have to mess with sheets of foil and make noise that will cause the crime to be detected. The aluminum, as before, creates a barrier which stops radio communication from the pedestal to the tags contained within. For the science geeks reading this, the booster bag is now a Faraday Cage. The bag can look like a purse, shopping bag, backpack or any other item they desire. Skill Level: Pro.
· Detacher Keys: Any retailers using EAS systems will have some kind of detacher key for removing the systems in place when paying customers want to purchase an item. Producers of these keys do not, for the most part, sell them to just anyone who wants to buy so the majority of keys are well secured in warehouses and retailer locations. There is, of course, the occasional employee theft and customer theft of these detacher keys. This is where the internet comes in. Another simple search will show that stolen keys are being sold, resold and discussed all over the place. They are a highly popular tool for theft and are the fastest and easiest way to defeat the EAS systems. Skill Level: Medium to Pro. Come back soon for a follow up article on this subject.
· Avoidance: Some shoplifters choose to completely avoid EAS systems all together by either stealing items that are not tagged/wrapped or, even worse, items that are tagged but through routes that are not protected. Namely Emergency Fire Exits. Some of the largest EAS items, or large numbers of smaller items, are simply bagged, carried or carted to the nearest fire door and ran to an awaiting driver and vehicle. The use of the fire door (unless also defeated) is an immediate cause for attention in the area and brings any attentive associates to the area. There are almost always witnesses to these instances, since the thief is in a rush and making noise since he knows his time is limited, but the very nature of this type of theft makes in incredibly hard to prevent. In this instance, witnesses and license plates are your friend. Skill Level: Medium to Pro. Come back soon for a follow up article on this subject as well.
The listed methods are merely the most prominent and obvious, and do not include internal theft methods of defeating the EAS systems.
The most important thing to consider is that your EAS systems are only a single part of your merchandise protection process, and the people involved and the other interactive systems are just as important. If passive deterrence is your only line of defense, your shrink numbers will show you why this is a problem. It is also important to understand what items need to be protected by these systems. Response to theft is just as important as initial planning.
There are many methods for EAS defeat, and some are not even touched upon here. Feel free to comment or get in contact if you have any particular areas of interest that have been an issue for you recently and I will see about adding them to the list. Also, if you have any issues you would like to see be the subject of an article, feel free to comment.
*It should be noted that all of this information is readily available at various locations on the internet and a simple search will reveal all of these tactics and more. The writer is not giving away any secrets of EAS technology in this article; he is merely showing the dedicated professional what is available for all to see in order that he/she may be prepared.
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