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.

SECURITY FOR JEWELERS AT HOME
1. CASING. Attacks on jewelers’ homes are preceded by some form of casing, in which the criminals follow a jeweler, stake out his home or business, and try to find out information about him, his patterns and his family. All jewelers should be careful at all times to see if they are being watched or followed. Are people sitting in a car near your home or business for too long? Is a car following you when you leave the store? Do you have suspicious phone calls or suspicious “customers” visiting your store? The best opportunity for stopping a home invasion is to spot suspects during the casing period and to call the police.

2. VARY ROUTE. Vary your route and time of travel to and from work. Be alert to people
following or watching you. To determine if you are being followed, drive very slowly and observe if any vehicles are hanging back and unwilling to pass you.

3. PHYSICAL SECURITY AT HOME. Security features should be a very important factor in selecting the residence in which you choose to live. Jewelers should evaluate such issues as a dead-end vs. heavily traveled street, the closeness of neighbors, and the garage or parking set-up. Other issues of physical security must also be given careful consideration, such as having proper locks, an alarm system and good lighting. There are jewelers who highly recommend a dog at home for warning and protection.

4. SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT LOGBOOK. Many jewelers have found it helpful to keep a suspicious incident logbook at their business premises in which all employees can record things that appear to be “not quite right.” This should also be done at home. The log can be used to write down details such as license plate numbers, names used, time, physical description and other information regarding suspicious incidents that may later be helpful to police.

5. TRAINING FAMILY MEMBERS. Even the youngest family member in your household needs some instruction about the dangers of the jewelry business and how they must cooperate. Family members should be trained not to give out information on the phone, not to open the door to unknown people, to be extremely careful regarding delivery personnel, and to be alert for suspicious people watching the house. Even temporary visitors, such as an in-law or babysitter, need specific instructions.

6. NO LARGE SAFE OR JEWELRY MERCHANDISE AT HOME. Never keep jewelry merchandise or a large safe at home. Personal jewelry may be kept in a small, concealed safe in a floor or wall. Consider keeping valuable personal
jewelry in a bank safe deposit box when not being used.

7. TRUSTED NEIGHBORS. Whether near your home or business, trusted neighbors can provide additional eyes for spotting suspicious behavior by those casing you. Discuss with trusted neighbors your special risks as a
jeweler and enlist their help.

8. HOUSEHOLD HELP. Every household worker who comes into your home puts you at a greater risk. Cleaning ladies, lawn help, babysitters, painting and remodeling people, and a long list of workers with access and knowledge of your household all pose some risk. Even if they are honest themselves, they may have boyfriends, spouses, relatives or friends who are criminals, or they may unintentionally provide information to those who then target you. You must screen, monitor and supervise all household help very carefully. In the case of a nanny or someone with close contact with your household, or in the case of someone who lives with you, a background investigation of that person is suggested.

9. TELEPHONE. Have an unlisted and unpublished home phone number. Keep a charged cell phone with you at all times, including at your beside at night.

10. SOCIAL NETWORKS. Do not put personal information about your home, family members
and such things as vacations on social networking sites.

11. CAR PANIC ALARM. Some jewelers keep their car keys next to their bed so that they can hit the remote panic alarm of their car to help scare off intruders at the first hint of trouble.

12. ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. Before any problem develops, contact your local police department and get to know someone in a supervisory position. Explain to the supervisor or chief the special crime risks of jewelers so that if you do have a problem, you will be calling someone you know.

13. SECURITY CODE PHRASE. Jewelers should consider having a family security code phrase that can be used to alert a family member on the phone to a crime problem. The code phrase must not raise the suspicions of criminals holding the jewelry or family hostage.

Assume criminal gangs will use any means, including violence, to carry out a home
invasion and robbery. If a jeweler is a victim of a kidnapping/robbery, the jeweler and
family members and others involved should cooperate fully with the criminals or risk
violence.