Blog Archives
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ASIS Seeking Public Comment on Preemployment Background Screening
The American Society for Industrial Security - International (ASIS) is seeking public comment on their Preemployment Background Screening guideline. According to ASIS, The scope of the Preemployment Background Screening Guideline is to aid U.S. employers in understanding and implementing the fundamental concepts, methodologies, and related legal issues associated with background screening of job applicants. (This guideline is focused on U.S. employers. The variables existing within the international community on preemployment background screening are not addressed in this guideline.) If you are involved in any part of the background screening process you will want to read the guideline, and make comment to ASIS. This... -
Hannaford Update
Class action lawsuits filed against Hannaford Two class action lawsuits have been filed against Hannaford Bros. Â since the company announced Monday that a data breach exposed more than 4.2 million debit and credit card numbers. The lawsuits were filed on behalf of consumers who say their debit or credit card numbers were put at risk. The Boston Globe/Associated Press Curtis Baillie, Principal Consultant - Security Consulting Strategies LLC -
Hannaford was PCI-Compliant During Data Breach
Follow-up.... 'Hannaford Bros. was compliant with the Payment Card Industry data-security standard when a security breach exposed about 4.2 million credit and debit card numbers, according to a Hannaford official. The company has been using data encryption since the start of last year and recently upgraded its wireless encryption capabilities, the official said." Here's the story from: Digital Transactions Curtis Baillie, Principal Consultant - Security Consulting Strategies LLC -
Data Breach - Hannaford reports data breach involving 4.2 million accounts
Hannaford Brothers on Monday announced about 4.2 million credit and debit card numbers were exposed because of a security breach. Investigators said the breach has led to about 1,800 cases of fraud and has affected Hannaford stores in the Northeast, Sweetbay stores in Florida and a few other independent groceries. Hannaford said it has taken steps to enhance its network security capabilities and has warned its clients about suspicious transactions. Credit - USA TODAY/Associated Press Credit card fraud continues to soar. Many times it is due to the lack of security procedures of the retailer. I very recently had my own brush with credit card fraud. In my business I travel and frequently (every week) review my online... -
Loss Prevention vs. the Merchant
I have battled the “us against them†mentality throughout my retail loss prevention career. However, all I have to do is look at postings on the “Retail Loss Prevention/Retail Security†forum on SecurityInfoWatch.com and the “Shoplifting†forum at LPInformation to see the battle is still alive and well. There has always been a divide between Loss Prevention protecting the assets of a store and the merchant’s ability to display and sell the merchandise. The secret is how well can the two partners work together to achieve a happy medium. At issue is what the Loss Prevention staff views as prohibitive policies that deter them from doing their job. Some of these policies include fitting room... -
NRF to Shoppers: Be Aware of Health and Beauty Products Found on Auction Websites
On February 20th the National Retail Federation (NRF) issued a consumer alert warning the general public that common household items sold through some online auction sites could be stolen and possibly tainted. Read the consumer alert. “Criminals often take advantage of honest shoppers by selling stolen merchandise through online auction sites,†said Joseph LaRocca, NRF Vice President of Loss Prevention. “Many health and beauty products on these sites may have expired or be spoiled, posing real health risks to the buyer.†I often deal with retailers on suspected product tampering cases. I say "suspected" because the vast majority of these cases are not true product tampering cases, but turn out... -
The “Lighter Side†of Shoplifting
There was an article making the rounds last July about a "shoplifting" seagull named Sam. Here's an account of the wayward bird's flyby operations .. Russia Today . This article reminded me of the time I lived in the San Diego area and was visiting Sea World with my family. It was time for lunch and we were seated in a covered pavillion when a seagull suddenly swooped from nowhere and grabbed a hamburger out of a small boy's hand. The boy, obviously startled, started crying, but was quickly silenced when a new burger was delivered by an attendent in the food court. There's also a story about a shoplifting squirrel in the U.K. I'm on my way to track that one down. Just thought I'd share. Have a productive day. Curtis... -
Shoplifters - Paying Civil Demand
 In a recent Wall Street Journal article titled, " Pay Up - Big Retail Chains Dun Mere Suspects in Theft ", Ann Zimmerman wrote about retailers and collection firms billing shoplifters for Civil Recovery fees. Read WSJ article . Dating back about twenty-five years Nevada became the first state to pass legislation where retailers could "demand" a civil payment from shoplifters for merchandise stolen from their stores. The intent of the law was to help retailers recoup theft losses and pay for security personnel and equipment. Currently all 50 states have such laws and the demand amounts vary from state to state, as well as the methods used to collect. The system was working well, but has now escalated to a point where... -
We Don’t Sell Cigarettes Anymore
That’s what Rochester, NY based Wegmans Food Markets announced to their customers last January 5 th . All tobacco products were removed from their shelves by February 10 th . In a letter to their employees Wegmans CEO Danny Wegman, stated, “We believe there are few of us that would introduce our children to smoking.â€Â Wegmans Food Markets, a chain of 71 upscale markets, employing upwards of 37,000 people, is the first major grocery chain to remove tobacco products from their stores. What makes this a significant move is Wegmans is consistently listed by Supermarket News as one of the top 75 grocery chains in the United States. Fortune 100 , also lists Wegmans, for the past 11 years, as one of the top 100... -
IACSP Conference - Washington DC
The International Association of Counterterrorism for Security Professionals - Washington, DC Group is presenting a free conference. The February 28, 2008 IACSP Conference will be held at: Alion Science & Technology, 1100 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Suite 200, Washington, DC This is a great opportunity to network with your colleagues in DHS , DOD and stakeholders. Speakers and presenters include: Mr. James M. Loy - the Cohen Group Former Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security (2003-2005) Mr. Robert B. Stephan - Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Infrastructure Protection Dr. Ayman Wasfy - CEO Nevine LLC. Noted Arabic Linguist deciphers statements from terrorist organizations Mr. David Cid...
