Small businesses often rely on a few trusted employees to be the first people customers encounter — not to mention, the primary ones to collect payments and sensitive data. For example, the front desk is usually the nerve center for dental offices, fitness studios, small hotels and retail boutiques. Although front desk employees can build loyalty by offering customers and clients a smile and immediate service, ethically challenged workers may use these positions to steal. Here’s how these ploys work and ways to prevent them. Common schemes Payments, scheduling and customer interactions often happen at the front desk. Minor lapses in oversight, combined with workers bent on committing fraud, can lead to financial losses. Common fraud schemes include: Cash skimming. This involves underreporting sales and pocketing the difference....
