This website uses cookies. Cookies remember your actions and preferences for a better experience. We do not share this information with third parties without your knowledge. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the cookie policy.
Top 5 popular warehouse theft schemes
If you run a warehouse business, sooner or later this topic may concern you. Losses due to theft are not something abstract, but real money that disappears unnoticed and systematically from businessmen around the world. It does not matter whether you have a large or small business.
In this article on the LLC «SyncraNova» blog, we will look at the most popular warehouse theft schemes.
Direct theft
This is when goods are simply taken and carried away, for example, by dishonest employees. It is important to understand that direct theft is usually preceded by a mistake on your part — weak control of access points or allowing staff to move boxes without supervision. All of this compromises security. To reduce the risk, pay attention to visual control, as well as acceptance and shipment procedures. Carelessness in accounting and blind trust in strangers are your main enemies.
Collusion with security
This is a serious threat because everything may look perfect on paper. If one person has taken on too much authority and there is no staff rotation or regular checks, you have a big problem. To reduce the risk, divide responsibilities, implement rotation in key positions, conduct independent audits, and require daily reports with evidence.
Disguised as rubbish
Goods can disappear because they are replaced or hidden in packaging under the guise of defective or rubbish items. This often happens in vulnerable areas, such as discount zones or defect sorting areas. The problem is the lack of clear rules for handling defective products and controlling their movement. In this case, electronic identification of defective items and the introduction of a separate closed area with restricted access will help.
Theft of returns
Returns are the bane of any warehouse business. This usually includes defective exchange goods. And if the returns processing procedure is not properly set up, it is easy for something to go missing. Strict procedures for accepting returned goods, including checking their condition and documenting them, will help combat theft.
Theft during transport
Errors in paperwork, poor control of goods during loading, and a lack of a transparent chain of responsibility all increase the chances of theft. You can protect yourself from this by using electronic recording of loading and tracking of goods with the ability to track their route in real time.
In this article on the LLC «SyncraNova» blog, we will look at the most popular warehouse theft schemes.
Direct theft
This is when goods are simply taken and carried away, for example, by dishonest employees. It is important to understand that direct theft is usually preceded by a mistake on your part — weak control of access points or allowing staff to move boxes without supervision. All of this compromises security. To reduce the risk, pay attention to visual control, as well as acceptance and shipment procedures. Carelessness in accounting and blind trust in strangers are your main enemies.
Collusion with security
This is a serious threat because everything may look perfect on paper. If one person has taken on too much authority and there is no staff rotation or regular checks, you have a big problem. To reduce the risk, divide responsibilities, implement rotation in key positions, conduct independent audits, and require daily reports with evidence.
Disguised as rubbish
Goods can disappear because they are replaced or hidden in packaging under the guise of defective or rubbish items. This often happens in vulnerable areas, such as discount zones or defect sorting areas. The problem is the lack of clear rules for handling defective products and controlling their movement. In this case, electronic identification of defective items and the introduction of a separate closed area with restricted access will help.
Theft of returns
Returns are the bane of any warehouse business. This usually includes defective exchange goods. And if the returns processing procedure is not properly set up, it is easy for something to go missing. Strict procedures for accepting returned goods, including checking their condition and documenting them, will help combat theft.
Theft during transport
Errors in paperwork, poor control of goods during loading, and a lack of a transparent chain of responsibility all increase the chances of theft. You can protect yourself from this by using electronic recording of loading and tracking of goods with the ability to track their route in real time.
Disassembly of goods
Sometimes, not all of the goods are stolen, but only part of them, for example, accessories, parts or components are removed from a set. From the outside, the box may look intact, and it is recorded as a complete unit, but inside there is a shortage. This scheme is especially common when working with equipment, tools or sets of items.
To protect yourself, it is worth implementing selective completeness checks, sealing boxes, and recording the weight and dimensions of packages upon receipt and shipment — any discrepancies will be a signal for additional checks.
Sometimes, not all of the goods are stolen, but only part of them, for example, accessories, parts or components are removed from a set. From the outside, the box may look intact, and it is recorded as a complete unit, but inside there is a shortage. This scheme is especially common when working with equipment, tools or sets of items.
To protect yourself, it is worth implementing selective completeness checks, sealing boxes, and recording the weight and dimensions of packages upon receipt and shipment — any discrepancies will be a signal for additional checks.
Conclusions
There are many theft scenarios, and thieves can even come up with new, more sophisticated methods specifically for your warehouse. But all of them only work where there is no control and owners turn a blind eye to the risks, emphasises LLC «SyncraNova».
If you don't address security issues in time, you risk losing more than just a single item of goods. You risk regular losses in profit. But if you implement clear rules and controls, your warehouse will become a pillar of your business rather than a weak spot.
There are many theft scenarios, and thieves can even come up with new, more sophisticated methods specifically for your warehouse. But all of them only work where there is no control and owners turn a blind eye to the risks, emphasises LLC «SyncraNova».
If you don't address security issues in time, you risk losing more than just a single item of goods. You risk regular losses in profit. But if you implement clear rules and controls, your warehouse will become a pillar of your business rather than a weak spot.