Protecting Goods from Theft at Every Stage of Their Supply Chain Journey

The U.S. supply chain is overwhelmed and it’s expected to remain so for some time. With so many shipments tied up in ports and too few workers to watch them, cargo theft has become a significant problem. Yet theft from ports of entry isn’t the only way goods disappear. Criminals routinely target truck shipments as well. Cargo theft costs companies somewhere between $15 billion and $35 billion annually, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. To help prevent theft from hurting your company’s bottom line, protect your goods at every stage of their journey to customers.  Contain cargo crime The fight against cargo theft starts when loading container ships. Make sure employees who handle your goods have passed criminal background checks. In addition to using secure locks, consider...

Getting the Goods on Inventory Theft

Maybe the numbers didn’t add up during your company’s recent inventory count. You know that most inventory discrepancies are the result of honest mistakes, such as when employees return items to the wrong shelves or customer returns are flubbed. It’s even possible that you’ve made a mistake and need to perform a recount. But if you suspect something more sinister — such as employee theft — don’t hesitate to call in reinforcements. A forensic accountant can assist in getting the goods on inventory theft.  Where the clues are  When fraud experts can’t find “innocent” explanations for missing inventory, they look at the business’s culture and environment. Poor controls over purchasing, receiving and cash disbursement puts companies at higher risk of employee theft. And if one person performs...