HOW TO SPOT A POTENTIAL JEWELRY THIEF, AND WHAT SHOULD A JEWELER DO?
Listed below are the top ten “red flags” or warning signs that a criminal is in your store, including robbers, distraction thieves and grab and run artists. None of the red flags below prove a crime is about to happen, but jewelers should be aware that the red flags below are how many of today’s jewelry criminals commonly behave. While genuine customers can also have habits like these, a jeweler should take special precautions when he or she sees the following red flags. Remember, no red flag is conclusive, but each additional red flag should raise the level of security.

TOP TEN RED FLAGS

1. Is the person talking on a cell phone? Inform the person that you will be happy to serve them as soon as they finish their call.

2. Is the person wearing sunglasses? Suggest that the person remove the sunglasses to get a better view of the beautiful merchandise.

3. Is the person wearing a hat pulled low or a hoodie to conceal his or her identity?

4. Is the person wearing inappropriate clothing for the season, like a wool cap when the weather is in the 80s, or a raincoat on a sunny day?

5. Are large numbers of people entering together, for example, three or more people? Will you be able to adequately protect your merchandise with a large number of people inside your store?

6. Is the person putting large or bulky items, including coats, on the showcase, or moving pads, mirrors or other items on the showcase in order to block the jeweler’s view?

7. Is the person asking unusual questions, particularly about security, hours or schedules, or looking with unusual interest at your cameras or security equipment?

8. Is the person asking to see the “most expensive” watch or jewelry item in the store?

9. Is the person making hand signals or other gestures that appear to be communicating with other people?

10. Is the person walking around the store with their hands in their pockets in order to avoid touching anything in the store that would leave fingerprints.


WHAT CAN A JEWELER DO WHEN RED FLAGS APPEAR?

1. Look at and greet the person who enters your store.

2. Use a pre-established code word to put all staff members on high alert.

3. Have an employee pick up the store phone in an obvious manner, dial someone and talk.

4. Have more than one person wait on the suspicious person or persons, on both sides of the showcase.

5. Keep the showcases locked and show only one item at a time.

6. Tell the person that your insurance company requires you to see photo identification to show high value items.

7. Have visible cameras at eye level.

8. Call the police if you feel there is a criminal risk.

Disclaimer: This Bulletin is provided as general crime prevention information based on JSA’s analysis of its crime database, and should not be considered legal advice. Different states and local jurisdictions have a wide variety of discrimination laws and court decisions that need to be taken into consideration before refusing service to a customer.

BASIC PROCEDURES TO PREVENT THEFT
1. Have buzzers or chimes on your doors so that you are alerted when someone enters your premises.

2. Make eye contact with each customer who enters your store, greet the customer, and note his or her appearance.

3. Have at least two people on the sales floor at all times.

4. Wait on only one customer at a time.

5. Never turn your back on a customer.

6. Never leave a customer alone with merchandise.

7. Never leave the showroom unattended, even "just for a minute." You can be distracted or tempted to go to the rear of the store if someone asks for gift wrap or when answering the phone.

8. Show only one item at a time. If a second item is requested, show it on your own wrist or finger. Some highly successful jewelry retailers display a sign saying that their insurance company only permits them to show one item at a time.

9. When showing high-end goods to unfamiliar customers, tell them that your insurance requires you to ask for identification before displaying the items.

10. Do not bring entire trays of merchandise or a diamond wallet to the counter when waiting on a customer. Too much value will be exposed to a grab-and-run theft.

11. All wall cases, show windows, display cases and showcases must have locks, and be kept in a locked position except when actually removing or returning goods. It is best to have locks that do not permit the key to be removed unless the case lock is in a "locked" position.

12. Keep the keys to the showcases on your person, never on a hook or shelf in plain view. Keep the keys on a wrist or other holder so that it is less likely for you to put them down and forget them.

13. Be warned that many showcases have generic keys, that is, keys that fit all showcases of that type. Anyone with a key to that type of showcase may be able to unlock your showcase and steal your goods. If a generic lock will open your showcases, consider installing unique locks.

14. Showcase tops sealed with adhesive can be slit by thieves and lifted to remove goods. Make sure your showcases have secure metal edges or other means to secure the top even if the seal is cut. Inspect the tops and sides of showcases several times a day for evidence of tampering or attempts to lift the top.

15. After a customer has handled an item, re-examine it to make sure it is the same item before returning it to the showcase. Do not allow a customer to return an item to a tray.

16. Keep all jewelry trays completely filled, either with goods or with markers.

17. The most difficult showcases for a thief to get into are the cases in which the back flips up. It is easier for thieves to reach into cases that slide open from either side.

18. Do not let non-employees into work areas, your safe area, your rest room or behind your showcases. This can be a trick to gain access to your merchandise, or to case your premises for a future crime.

19. Your counter display cases should be built in a way that does not permit someone to crawl under them.

20. Make sure there are no blind spots in your store in which visibility from another part of the selling floor is obstructed.

21. Have an alert system in place in your store. If a suspicious person or situation is spotted, a code word or phrase can be used to alert the other employees that a crime may be underway.

22. If a customer is causing a commotion or engages in a loud disagreement, be alert for a distraction theft by an accomplice, and call another employee to assist you. Whenever you are suspicious of customer, request assistance from the manager or another employee.

23. Be particularly careful when customers are wearing or carrying inappropriate clothing, bags or items that could be used to hide goods or block your view while accomplices steal goods. Be especially careful if these items are placed on the showcase counter. In some stores sales associates immediately offer to take customers' coats and bags and put them in a safe place while the customers shop.