Some reminders this shopping season:
- Check all photo IDs for transactions over $100
- Capture complete name, address, phone number as often as you can ( this can again weed out frauds and makes returns/exchanges easier)
- Check the name on the credit card, does it match the buyer? — card holder and person in front of you must match!
- Look for signatures on the back of cards, no signature, ask for an ID
- For checks, all checks over $250 require a photo ID — we suggest looking at photo ID for all checks
- All checks must be run through the e-check machine or called into secure payments for anything over $100. Exceptions to this are corporate accounts/business, usually the large checks that don’t fit well into the eCheck machines ( verses standard sized personal checks ) our machines can’t verify these checks. Checking with a manager, Emily or Rob on these is advisable.
Other suggestions to avoid fraud
Converse with the buyer, ask them how shopping is going or maybe whom the product is for. Something short and simple, but perhaps be suspicious of the person who just gives one word responses. If you’re suspicious of a transaction make sure the product is not within reach of the buyer, perhaps come up with a reason to “ I am sorry something isn’t working with my computer, I will be right back” to delay things a moment. Perhaps a code word or phrase in your store to alert co-workers that you are wondering about a sale. Asking a co-worker to take your place while you get the manager is recommended so you can update your manager as to your suspicions. If the manager is not in your store you should call them or reach out to another manager.
Be alert to the person who just walks in and says “ I want a 16gb iPad air “ sometimes it’s just a shopper on a mission, but also a classic fraud. Always converse during the sales process, ask who it’s for, how might they use it. People who can’t answer the basic questions and just give standard responses like “oh for the internet” or “ or just “basic use” these kinds of non detailed answers can be flags. The small stores are just as vulnerable if not more so than SB, all of our smaller locations have had shoplifters within the last year and many times those whom tried to steal or did had several trips into the store to see what would be easiest to grab.
Lastly we’ve seen a rise, specifically in Rutland, of customers coming in to make large purchases for other people. We’ve seen it happen more over the last year where someone is sent in by a “friend” or “company” to pick up multiple computers. They often don’t know why, who or what the computers or iPads will be used for, they were just told to go and get them. Use your instincts, there’s a difference between someone legitimately sent by someone to get goods who innocently has no idea verses the person who’s there to make a shady transaction. The legit “clueless” person often times has a very believable and valid back story.
Bottom line, trust your gut. When in doubt or feeling like a deal is too good to be true, ask someone! Talk to someone and work together to determine if the goods should leave the store.