RCMP offer tips to prevent internal theft

Theft from companies and non-profits like the one that resulted in charges against a former administrator of Valley View Villa aren’t exactly common, but it’s something people should keep in mind with their own organizations police say.

RCMP Cpl. Ron Bryce said police are usually called in when larger amounts of money have been stolen, but many times incidents are handled internally with the accused being fired or removed from their position.

While there is no one particular type of person who commits this kind of crime, Bryce said a common characteristic for many charged is that they are people who want to live above their means.

“Usually it’s people who want to have a lifestyle they can’t afford,” he said. “Some people turn to selling drugs and some people turn to stealing from their company or employer.”

Root causes can be anything from a drug addiction to a shopping addiction he said.

There are some ways that other local non-profits and businesses can help protect themselves.

“I would suggest that as a business owner, number 1, you want to know your employees or volunteers, and also be aware of differences in behaviour such as an employee who wasn’t working late starts to work late,” Bryce said.

Personal problems such as drug or alcohol abuse or a gambling addiction can also put people in a position where they’re short of money and tempted to steal, he said, so people should watch for signs of this type of problem.

Supervision of employees and volunteers is another crucial protection, he said.

While you don’t want to be hovering over people’s shoulders all the time, he said it’s good to be able to find ways to keep an eye on what people are doing. There are also computer security measures that can help prevent theft or fraud.

Business owners in particular should manage their inventory and use security systems, Bryce said.

“Physical inventory should be done by people who aren’t responsible for inventory records.”

Holding informal and unplanned audits throughout the year can also be a good way to catch any discrepancies and create an environment where people are less likely to be tempted. It’s also good when audits can be done by an individual or company not connected to your own company, Bryce said.

Another piece of advice the RCMP offer is to “Provide a way for employees to report theft or fraud by coworkers.”

Some people may be afraid of blowback for reporting a colleague, so it may be helpful for them to have a way to report anonymously.