Last Tuesday, a regional bank president called our team. “We just discovered our head teller has been stealing from us for four years… how did we miss this?”
Said bank had spent $2.3 million on cybersecurity upgrades in the past two years. State-of-the-art firewalls. AI-powered fraud detection. The works. Meanwhile, the head teller was skimming $300 a week from dormant accounts, and nobody noticed because she was careful, she was patient, and she knew exactly how their systems worked.
The teller walked away with $62,400 before they caught her. The bank’s going to lose about $1.2 million by the time this mess gets cleaned up.
The frustrating part? The suspected employee wasn’t some criminal mastermind. She was just paying for her mom’s nursing home care and figured nobody would miss money from accounts that hadn’t been touched in years. She was wrong about the “nobody would miss it” part, but she was absolutely right about how easy it would be.
The numbers from this year are brutal. According to the latest industry report, 57% of financial institutions lost over $500,000 to fraud in 2024. A quarter of them lost over a million. That’s not “some banks.” That’s most banks.
The fraud examiners association puts the total at 5% of revenue lost to fraud annually. Take your bank’s revenue, multiply by 0.05, and try not to throw up.
But here’s what really gets complicated: these numbers only represent the fraud we actually catch. For every suspected teller who gets discovered, how many others are out there right now, slowly bleeding banks dry?
Your Security Strategy Has a Teller-Sized Hole in It
Most banks approach security like they’re building Fort Knox. Massive perimeter defenses. Sophisticated detection systems. Armed guards. Electronic monitoring. It’s all very impressive.
But Fort Knox doesn’t help you when the threat is already inside, wearing a company ID badge and asking about your weekend plans.
Your firewall doesn’t know that Steve from commercial lending is using customer information to make stock trades. Your fraud detection system won’t flag Sarah from operations when she approves fake expense reports for her boyfriend’s contracting company. And all those automated alerts? Completely useless when someone knows exactly how to fly under the radar.
Last year’s case involved three employees who figured out how to create phantom loan accounts. Not sophisticated stuff—just basic knowledge of how the approval process worked and where the gaps were. Over eighteen months, they “approved” $340,000 in loans to fake borrowers, then split the proceeds. The beauty of their scheme? Each step looked completely legitimate to anyone checking.
Another case involved a compliance officer—the person whose job was literally to prevent fraud—who figured out how to hide unauthorized wire transfers in routine regulatory reports. She stole $180,000 over two years, and the only reason they caught her was because she got greedy and started moving larger amounts.
These weren’t criminal masterminds. They were regular employees who understood their bank’s blind spots better than the security team did.
The Real Cost Makes the Teller Case Look Like Pocket Change
Direct theft is just the appetizer. The main course is everything that comes after.
Then there’s the reputation damage. Banking is built on trust. When customers find out your employees have been stealing, they start wondering what else you’re not telling them. Accounts close. New customers go elsewhere. Community banks have lost 15% of their deposit base after internal fraud becomes public knowledge.
The operational chaos is devastating too. Good employees get pulled off important projects to deal with the investigation. New procedures have to be implemented overnight. Staff morale craters because everyone’s now under suspicion. Some banks never fully recover from the disruption.
And then the lawyers show up. Customers sue. Shareholders file lawsuits. Insurance companies fight claims. Legal bills pile up faster than snow in January.
The bank president mentioned earlier? By the time the teller’s case was resolved, the total cost was $1.2 million. For $62,400 in actual theft.
The Trusted Employee Problem
The worst cases always involve people you’d never suspect. Not the sketchy new hire who shows up late and leaves early. It’s the 20-year veteran who coaches Little League. The manager who organized the office Christmas party. The compliance officer who never missed a continuing education seminar.
These folks don’t wake up one day and decide to become criminals. It starts small—borrowing from petty cash with every intention of paying it back. Taking a small amount from an inactive account “just this once.” Using customer information for a “sure thing” stock tip.
But here’s what becomes clear after investigating hundreds of these cases: once someone crosses that line the first time, it gets easier every time after that.
And the longer they’ve been with your institution, the more dangerous they become. They know which accounts get reviewed and which don’t. They understand your approval processes inside and out. They’ve built relationships with colleagues who trust them implicitly. They know exactly how much they can steal without triggering alerts.
Most importantly, they know how to make their theft look like system errors, processing delays, or customer mistakes.
Why Your Internal Team Can’t Handle This
Your internal audit department is good at checking boxes and following procedures. They’re not trained to think like criminals. Your IT security team knows technology but doesn’t understand criminal behavior. Your HR department can handle policy violations but can’t conduct covert surveillance or digital forensics.
Here’s what happens when you try to investigate internal fraud with internal resources: word gets out immediately. The suspected employee either covers their tracks or disappears. Evidence gets deleted or destroyed. Witnesses get nervous and stop cooperating. The investigation becomes a circus, and the fraudster usually walks away clean.
Professional investigators bring capabilities that don’t exist in most banks:
Covert observation: Professional teams can watch suspected employees without them knowing an investigation exists. No office gossip, no warning signs, no opportunity to destroy evidence.
Digital forensics: Deleted emails, cleared browser histories, encrypted communications—specialized tools and expertise can recover digital evidence your IT department can’t access.
Social media investigation: Many internal fraudsters post about their newfound wealth on social media. Expensive dinners, luxury vacations, designer purchases—all funded by stolen money and documented online.
Interview techniques: Getting the truth from employees requires specialized training. Professional investigators know how to conduct interviews that actually produce useful information, not just denials and deflections.
Legal evidence handling: Finding evidence is one thing. Making sure it holds up in court is another. Professional investigators know how to preserve evidence, maintain chain of custody, and document everything properly for prosecution.
Red Flags That Should Scare You
Some warning signs are obvious: employees living beyond their means, reluctance to take vacation time, defensive behavior about routine questions. Others are more subtle.
Watch for employees who seem to know too much about other people’s financial situations. Staff members who volunteer for overtime constantly, especially on weekends when fewer people are around. Anyone who gets unusually anxious when others handle their responsibilities.
Pay attention to customer complaints about account discrepancies, even minor ones. Notice employees who have unusually close relationships with vendors or specific customers. Be concerned about resistance to new procedures or system changes.
Anonymous tips should always be taken seriously, even if they seem vindictive or far-fetched. Most anonymous tipsters are fellow employees who’ve seen something suspicious but are afraid to speak up directly.
Here’s the thing about gut instincts: they’re usually right. If something feels off, it probably is.
The Math Works (When You Do It Right)
Yes, hiring professional investigators costs money. But consider the alternative.
The average internal fraud case costs financial institutions $1.4 million in direct and indirect losses. That includes the stolen money, regulatory fines, legal costs, reputation damage, and operational disruption. Some cases cost much more.
A comprehensive fraud investigation typically runs $15,000 to $50,000, depending on complexity. Even expensive investigations cost a fraction of what you’ll lose if fraud continues undetected.
Plus, professional investigators often uncover additional fraudulent activity that internal investigations miss. More complete investigations lead to better recovery through insurance claims, civil lawsuits, and asset seizure.
And here’s something most bank executives don’t consider: the deterrent effect. When employees know management takes fraud seriously and has professional resources to investigate suspicious activity, they’re much less likely to try anything stupid.
Don’t Wait for Your Next Audit to Discover the Problem
Internal fraud isn’t theoretical. It’s happening right now, at banks just like yours, committed by employees who seem just as trustworthy as yours.
The longer fraudulent activity continues, the more sophisticated it becomes and the more expensive it gets to resolve. Early detection saves money, protects reputation, and minimizes disruption.
If you’re seeing red flags, experiencing unexplained losses, or just want an honest assessment of your vulnerability, don’t wait. The cost of acting too late is always higher than the cost of acting early.
Ready to discuss your institution’s fraud prevention and detection capabilities? Schedule a confidential consultation with Kyle Robison, our Deputy Director of Investigations at Lauth Investigations International. Kyle brings extensive experience helping financial institutions identify, investigate, and resolve complex internal fraud cases.
Schedule your consultation today to discuss how professional investigative services can protect your institution’s assets and reputation. You can also text us directly at 317-759-1004— really, text us.
Lauth Investigations has been helping financial institutions deal with internal threats for over twenty years. We know banking, we understand fraud, and we know how to investigate these cases without destroying your institution’s reputation in the process.
Employee theft is a growing problem for businesses across industries. Cases of internal fraud, embezzlement, and theft follow rising economic stresses. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) estimates that fraud costs companies 5% of their annual income; small enterprises are the most vulnerable. Correct preventive measures will help businesses reduce their risks and safeguard their financial situation. This article investigates the reasons behind employee theft, actual incidents, and practical strategies companies may apply to stop and identify internal fraud.
Understanding Why Employee Theft Is Increasing
Although theft in the workplace has always been a problem, inflation and recession can drive workers into moral lapses. One of the main causes is financial stress, especially in cases when living expenses rise, but salaries stay the same. Some workers excuse their theft from their companies by thinking they are underpaid or undervalued. Others can steal out of entitlement, personal debt, or addiction. Increasing theft possibilities also depends much on the availability of firm resources—cash, inventory, or secret data of all kinds. Without appropriate security systems, companies could unintentionally let dishonest staff members take advantage of weaknesses in control.
Strengthening Internal Controls to Prevent Fraud
Companies without internal controls run more of a chance of theft. Policies that are weak or nonexistent let staff members falsify financial records, siphon cash, or pilfer goods without anybody noticing right away. Reducing employee theft starts with putting robust internal controls into use. These include implementing automated accounting systems tracking odd activity, dual authorization for significant payments, and division of tasks so that no one staff member has total authority over financial operations. Frequent audits should go over inventory, spending reports, and transaction data for disparities. Making sure staff members are aware of these controls helps to discourage theft as well.
Implementing Surveillance and Monitoring Systems
Stopping and identifying employee theft depends critically on surveillance. Putting security cameras in strategic places—like warehouses, cash registers, and stockrooms—helps track suspicious activity. Digital monitoring systems should also be used by businesses to check access records, emails, and corporate equipment for possible fraud. Unauthorized file transfers, odd logins, or too much access to bank records can all be flagged by monitoring software. Implementing surveillance calls for openness; staff members should be informed that security policies are in place, therefore deterring dishonest behavior. Apart from discouraging theft, surveillance systems offer proof should an inquiry be called for.
Encouraging Whistleblowing and Anonymous Reporting
Employee tips are among the best tools available to find internal theft. Many workers know of dishonest behavior occurring in their company, but they worry about reprisals should they disclose misbehavior. Establishing a safe workplace for reporters will help greatly minimize theft. Companies should set up anonymous hotlines or encrypted email channels where staff members may document questionable behavior free from concern about consequences. Providing cash incentives for confirmed fraud reports helps staff members to come forward as well. Studies of organizations with whistleblower policies have found that they recoup financial losses faster and spot fraud more immediately.
Real-Life Case: Employee Theft in 2024
A well-known incident of employee theft in 2024 concerned a Florida mid-sized company’s finance manager who manipulated payroll records to embezzlement of over $1.2 million. The manager established fictitious staff members and directed pay into personal accounts. Because payroll approvals lacked supervision, the theft stayed unreported for more than two years. Discrepancies in pay distribution were discovered during an external audit at last, which set off an investigation. The case emphasizes the need to routinely review finances, outside audits, and background checks for staff members in critical roles.
Conducting Regular and Unannounced Audits
One useful weapon in spotting theft is unannounced audits. Random financial reviews let staff members know they are under observation, therefore lowering the possibility of dishonest activity. These audits ought to address financial activities, inventory levels, petty cash handling, and expense reporting. To conduct objective reviews, one can engage an outside forensic accounting company to carry out independent audits. Surprise cash counts also help to find skimming or illegal withdrawals. Apart from revealing theft, regular audits help to emphasize the need for responsibility inside a company.
Lauth’s Investigative Methods for Detecting Employee Theft
Lauth Investigations focuses on revealing employee embezzlement and internal fraud. Among their approaches include surveillance, undercover investigations, and forensic accounting. Examining financial records and tracking staff behavior helps investigators identify fraudulent activity and compile proof. Under circumstances when companies believe there is long-term theft, covert monitoring helps to monitor dubious staff members and their actions. Before recruiting staff, background searches and integrity tests also enable companies to spot any hazards. Lauth’s knowledge of white-collar crime investigations gives businesses the tools they need to properly spot and stop theft.
Creating a Strong, Ethical Workplace Culture
A strong corporate culture opposes immoral behavior. Employees who feel appreciated and believe in the objective of the business are less prone to steal. Businesses could encourage ethics by means of reinforcement of corporate principles, communication, and leadership. Frequent training courses on ethical decision-making and fraud prevention help to keep the issue fresh in staff members’ consciousness. By means of employee recognition programs, rewarding honesty and integrity helps to lower the temptation to steal as well. Employees are less prone to participate in dishonest behavior when they feel that misbehavior will not be accepted.
Legal Consequences and Employee Accountability
Employees must be made aware of the consequences of theft. Clear regulations defining disciplinary actions for dishonesty guarantees staff members that theft will result in termination and maybe legal action. Zero-tolerance rules should be followed by companies to guarantee fair investigations grounded on facts. Pursuing legal action against the guilty party not only helps to recoup money losses but also discourages others from trying like-crimes upon detection of theft. Publicly handling instances of corporate fraud helps to underline the fact that theft will not be overlooked.
Conclusion
Employee theft is a rising issue especially in uncertain economic times. Businesses run enormous financial losses without appropriate controls. Important ways to stop fraud are strengthening internal controls, running frequent audits, using surveillance, and pushing whistleblowing. Actual events such as the payroll fraud episode in 2024 highlight the need for early surveillance. Investigative companies like Lauth Investigations give companies the knowledge required to find and address internal theft. Strict responsibility policies and an ethical workplace culture help companies guard against financial damage and guarantee long-term success.
In today’s world, companies face many risks. One of the biggest risks comes from within the company itself. These are called insider threats, and when employees or other trusted people inside a company do things that harm the business. These actions can be stealing secrets, damaging property, or even leaking important information. This blog will explain how companies can use corporate investigations to protect themselves from insider threats.
What Are Insider Threats?
Insider threats are actions taken by people inside a company that can harm the business. These people can be employees, contractors, or even business partners. Sometimes, they do these harmful things on purpose. Other times, they do it by accident, but the results can be just as damaging.
For example, a worker might accidentally share a company’s secret information with the wrong person. In another case, an employee might purposely steal customer data to sell it to someone else. Both of these are insider threats, even though one was an accident and the other was on purpose.
Why Are Insider Threats Dangerous?
Insider threats are dangerous because the people inside a company already have access to important information. They know the company’s secrets, systems, and weaknesses. Because of this, they can cause more harm than someone from the outside.
Imagine if a worker who knows all the passwords to the company’s computer system decided to share them with someone else. This could allow a hacker to get into the company’s system and steal important data. Because the worker had inside access, the hacker’s job becomes much easier.
Common Types of Insider Threats
There are different types of insider threats, and it’s important to understand each one so companies can protect themselves.
Malicious Insiders: These are people who intentionally want to harm the company. They might be upset with their job, want revenge, or want to make money by selling company secrets. These insiders are very dangerous because they know the company well and can plan their attacks carefully.
Careless Insiders: Sometimes, insiders do not mean to cause harm, but they do so by being careless. For example, an employee might accidentally click on a phishing email that gives hackers access to the company’s data. Even though the employee did not mean to do harm, the results can be just as bad as if they did.
Third-Party Insiders: These are people who work with the company but are not direct employees. For example, a contractor might have access to the company’s systems and accidentally leak important information. Because they are not full-time employees, they might not follow the same security rules, making them a potential threat.
How Corporate Investigations Help?
Corporate investigations are a way for companies to protect themselves from insider threats. These investigations involve looking closely at what is happening inside the company to find any problems or risks.
Investigators might look at things like emails, computer files, and even security camera footage. They do this to find out if anyone is doing something that could harm the company. If they find a problem, they can work to fix it before it gets worse.
Steps in a Corporate Investigation
There are several steps involved in a corporate investigation. These steps help ensure that the investigation is thorough and finds any potential insider threats.
Identifying the Problem: The first step is to figure out what the problem is. This could be a missing file, strange behavior from an employee, or a security breach. Identifying the problem early is important because it allows the investigation to focus on the right areas.
Gathering Evidence: After identifying the problem, the next step is to gather evidence. This could include looking at emails, checking computer logs, and interviewing employees. The goal is to find proof of what is happening so that the company can take action.
Analyzing the Evidence: Once the evidence is gathered, it needs to be analyzed. This means looking closely at the data to find patterns or signs of wrongdoing. For example, if an employee is sending a lot of emails to a competitor, this could be a sign that they are leaking information.
Taking Action: After the evidence has been analyzed, the company can take action. This might mean firing an employee, changing security protocols, or even involving law enforcement if the situation is serious. The goal is to stop the insider threat before it can cause more harm.
Preventing Future Threats: The final step is to put measures in place to prevent future insider threats. This could include better training for employees, stronger security systems, or regular checks to ensure everything is running smoothly.
The Role of Technology in Corporate Investigations
Technology plays a big role in corporate investigations. With the help of advanced tools, companies can monitor their systems more closely and detect insider threats more quickly.
For example, many companies use software that can track employee activity on company computers. This software can alert the company if an employee is doing something suspicious, like trying to access files they shouldn’t. This early warning system can help prevent insider threats before they cause any damage.
Case Studies: Real-Life Examples of Insider Threats
To understand how serious insider threats can be, let’s look at some real-life examples.
The Edward Snowden Case: Edward Snowden was a contractor for the U.S. government who leaked classified information. He had access to important files and used that access to share secrets with the public. This case shows how dangerous insider threats can be when someone with inside knowledge decides to act against the organization.
The Coca-Cola Recipe Theft Attempt: In 2006, an employee at Coca-Cola tried to steal the secret recipe for Coca-Cola and sell it to Pepsi. Pepsi reported the attempt to Coca-Cola, and the employee was caught. This case highlights how insider threats can be driven by greed and how they can be stopped with the right measures in place.
Target Data Breach: In 2013, hackers stole credit card information from millions of Target customers. The hackers gained access to Target’s systems through a third-party contractor. This case shows how third-party insiders can pose a threat, even if they do not work directly for the company.
Best Practices for Preventing Insider Threats
Preventing insider threats requires a proactive approach. Here are some best practices that companies can follow to protect themselves:
Conduct Regular Employee Training: Employees should be trained on how to recognize and avoid insider threats. This includes being aware of phishing emails, securing their workstations, and following company security policies.
Implement Strong Access Controls: Not everyone in the company needs access to all information. By limiting access to only those who need it, companies can reduce the risk of insider threats.
Monitor Employee Activity: Regularly monitoring employee activity can help catch suspicious behavior early. This could include checking email usage, reviewing access logs, and keeping an eye on file transfers.
Use Technology Wisely: Implementing the right technology can help companies detect and prevent insider threats. This could include security software, encryption tools, and regular system audits.
Foster a Positive Work Environment: A happy and engaged workforce is less likely to become a source of insider threats. Companies should work to create a positive work environment where employees feel valued and heard.
Insider threats are a serious risk for any company. Because these threats come from within, they can be more difficult to detect and prevent. However, with the right strategies, including corporate investigations, companies can protect themselves. By being proactive, using technology, and following best practices, businesses can reduce the risk of insider threats and keep their operations safe.If you suspect an insider threat or need help with a corporate investigation, contact Lauth Investigations International today.
Research suggests that 75% of employees have stolen from their place of work in the past, making corporate theft a priority issue for any business owner or CEO with self-preservation high on their agenda.
Every employer likes to imagine that they’ve hired a trustworthy team rather than created a den of thieves. However, unfortunately, as many as 95% of U.S. companies get caught out at least once by an enemy lurking within.
Meanwhile, workplace theft runs up an annual bill of $50 billion annually for American businesses. Fortunately, a strategic corporate theft investigation can stop employee theft in its tracks and make it less likely to happen in the future.
Preventing Employee Theft by Strengthening Corporate Culture
When we think about theft prevention, it is easy to focus solely on locking down assets and ramping up security protocols, but there is another area of concern that shouldn’t be overlooked. Research shows that unhappy employees are more likely to behave unethically towards their employer. Employees that feel valued and grateful are less likely to be dishonest.
This provides yet another reason to add to your list of why corporate culture is worth investing in. A great place to start when it comes to building a stronger workplace culture is with a corporate culture audit, providing clear oversight of the current status quo and a clear path to improve and enhance culture for the better.
Of course, not all would-be thieves will be deterred by a place within a happy workplace. This makes comprehensive corporate background checks an essential addition to the employer’s toolkit. It also makes vigilance among leadership essential, and swift action a smart move when the need to launch a corporate theft investigation arises.
Workplace theft can vary dramatically in scope and scale, ranging from minor losses of things like stationery from a few slippery-fingered team members through to widespread and coordinated theft of expensive equipment, retail stock, sensitive data, financial assets, and more. While the proportion of the issue will certainly shape the urgency of the response, all employee theft should be taken seriously before it contributes to a negative shift in corporate culture.
A corporate theft investigation should focus on the achievement of four main objectives. The first is to identify the perpetrators, the second is to secure evidence of their activities. The third is to recover lost assets where possible, and the fourth is to respond appropriately, ranging from disciplinary action through to prosecution of those involved. If you are concerned about employee theft in your place of business and are unsure how to proceed, our dedicated team of corporate investigators here at Lauth Investigations is ready to assist. We will guide you through every step of the investigatory process, from conducting undercover operations to interviewing witnesses and compiling evidence for legal proceedings. Discover more about how we investigate workplace theft or contact our team today.
It’s every company’s worst nightmare. The very individual trusted to balance the books and safeguard assets has decided to try their hand at embezzlement. If your accountant or another trusted individual with financial oversight has done your enterprise dirty, what can you do? Rather than panic, it’s time to roll out a four-part plan to seek justice and get back on your feet.
Embezzlement is one of the nastiest kinds of white collar crime because its very nature implies a vicious abuse of trust. When someone intentionally misappropriates the assets that were entrusted to them, the sense of betrayal can be just as brutal as the hole in your balance sheets—which may be modest or may run into millions of dollars.
Shockingly, white collar crime costs American businesses billions if not trillions of dollars each year. Starkly, this means that, yes, it really can happen to you. More optimistically, it means that victims are not alone, and corporate experts such as those here at Lauth Investigations International are seasoned in providing the critical support you need to weather the storm ahead.
Detecting Embezzlement Doesn’t Have to Be the Start of a Nightmare
When an accountant or bookkeeper engages in white collar crime, detecting their actions can be difficult—after all, they are the experts in making the numbers add up. However, this fact alone demonstrates why additional oversight, background checks, and security protocols are so vital in white collar crime prevention.
Once you discover that gaping hole in your company’s finances, there isn’t a moment to lose. Any delay at this juncture can provide opportunity for the thief in your coop to take their final spoils and deftly cover their tracks—so don’t provide them with the satisfaction. Instead, contact an expert corporate investigations company so that they can immediately jump on evidence gathering and guide you through self-protective next steps.
Step 1: Rapid Corporate Investigations
Before you begin the process of recovering the health of your business, it is critical not only to understand the scale and nature of the crime but also to gather the concrete proof that will be required to out-maneuverer its perpetrator.
Within the realm of workplace investigations, this calls for a specific skillset. The corporate investigator may need to deep-dive into forensic accounting, look at CCTV footage, interview employees, conduct background investigations on suspects, and much more. Urgency is key for ensuring that the trail doesn’t go cold.
Step 2: Pursuing Asset Recovery
Depending on the nature of the crime and of your enterprise, asset recovery may be a timely process that runs through the courts or it may take place behind closed doors. Either way, the caliber of your evidence and the integrity of the investigations that generated it will be your ultimate assets. For example, our seasoned corporate investigations team is ever-ready to build and document an air-tight case, advise on legal obligations, and even provide expert testimony should the need arise.
Step 3: Planning For Financial Shortfalls
It can be brutally unfair, but following white collar crime, asset recovery can take time and is often only partial. This makes planning to plug any financial shortfalls key. This might make cash crisis management, restructuring, or debt restructuring strategically important as you keep your organization’s head above water.
Step 4: Safeguarding Against Future White Collar Crime
No matter the scale of losses following a white collar crime, no business will want to repeat the experience. Now that you know who to turn to for effective corporate investigations support, you have gained more than the capability to react to a rogue accountant. If you partner with Lauth Investigations International, you also have an essential toolkit for criminality prevention.
We can assist with critical violence and threat assessments—examining both on-site and virtual security measures. We can help you ensure that no other snake manages to slide into your team with comprehensive background checks, drawing on many of the same databases used by law enforcement. Finally, we can help you build a strong and united corporate culture that is hostile to those who would do you harm. A corporate culture audit can weed out and prevent risk of white collar crime, employee theft, workplace violence, and more—all while forging a more synergistic and productive environment that nurtures success. Learn about this and more by contacting our team today. From crisis-fueled corporate investigations to effective crime prevention, we’ve got you and your assets covered.
No matter how much money you throw at the latest security hardware, CCTV software, or highly-trained security guards, your company may still experience employee theft. For the vast majority of businesses, sadly, the greatest threats when it comes to losing assets are individuals working under the very same roof. So much so that 90% of thefts from workplaces come at the hands of the employees themselves. This makes preventing corporate theft a priority, so how can a corporate private investigator assist?
To prevent corporate theft effectively, it helps to keep in mind that it comes in many forms. A bad actor or two among your seemingly dedicated team may make off with money or inventory, certainly. But the thing they steal could just as equally be sensitive customer data, intellectual property, or even time itself. Whichever risk looms largest at your place of business, a corporate private investigator can assist with both prevention and damage mitigation. Read on to discover how.
Proactively Preventing Corporate Theft
The price tags that come with various tactics to prevent corporate theft may seem prohibitive but studies suggest that they are well worth the investment. To look at the example of employee fraud, researchers found that companies that invest in fraud prevention tend to spend 42% less on fraud responses such as litigation, fines, and penalties. A private corporate investigator is an ideal ally to minimize the possibility of future thefts.
Preventing those bad actors from entering your place of employment in the first place is inevitably rewarding when it comes to reducing employee theft risk. A private corporate investigator is uniquely poised to perform comprehensive background checks because their licensure grants them access to many of the same databases used by law enforcement.
Another excellent strategy for preventing corporate theft is ensuring that corporate culture is strong and thriving. Unhappy employees soon become disgruntled ones who may justify to themselves decisions such as bolstering their pay through embezzlement or simply turning a blind eye to a colleague engaged in inventory theft. To get a clear sense of your current corporate culture standing, speak to a Lauth private corporate investigator about the investigatory and remedial elements within a Corporate Culture Audit.
Damage Control From a Corporate Private Investigator
When a theft has already occurred—or even a pattern of employee theft emerged—a corporate private investigator will make quick work of illuminating the facts and nipping ongoing thievery in the bud. They alone can conduct an expert investigation that is entirely free from the legal risk of bias that comes with colleagues investigating each other.
Not only can showcasing zero-tolerance by enacting a swift assisted corporate theft investigation address the issue at hand, but it can also help to shift culture and safety in the workplace for the better. Nearly 60% of companies that conduct a diligent investigation end up in a better place in the long run, and those that combine all of the tactics above will be able to enjoy not only reduced threat risk and a more secure working environment but also an associated boost to productivity, team cohesion, and bottom line. Are you ready to learn more about how a corporate private investigator can assist in preventing corporate theft? Reach out to the specialist team here at Lauth Investigations International for a no-obligation consultation on the tailored solutions that we can place at your disposal.
