From Embezzlement to Petty Theft, Unsecured Offices Are Vulnerable to Loss

In 2005, Wyoming business owner Paul Hult was devastated to learn that a trusted employee had embezzled over $200,000 from his family's construction company. 

"She's one of those people everybody likes,"  Hult said.  "She's one of those people who'd say, 'Here's 37 cents for a stamp.'"   And yet, that same woman who’d graciously offer up change for a stamp had been stealing from him for years by depositing money into an account she’d maintained under the name of a deceased uncle.  She would the hide the theft by erasing the checks from the system and then balancing the books to hide the loss.

Hult may never see his money returned.  The thief was sentenced to nine months in jail, a period of work-release, and a total probation sentence of 10 years for embezzling company funds.  That’s cold comfort to Paul Hult.  "I don't know that I'll ever be able to trust again," Hult said.

Protect your Company from Theft

Sadly, each year, companies lose thousands, even hundreds of thousands of dollars, to unscrupulous employees who prey on the trust of their employers and lax office security.  Natrona County District Attorney Mike Blonigen offers office security tips that might have prevented Hult’s distressing loss.

• Implement a theft security system and stick to it.  For example, if you vow never to sign blank checks, never make allowances, even if it is an inconvenience.  The inconvenience of theft is far greater.

• Never allow employees unmonitored access to accounting systems, no matter how trustworthy they are.

• Hold an outside audit each year and make sure every employee is aware of this annual audit.

Additional Office Security Tips

Office theft encompasses more than just embezzlement.  Even petty theft can add up to thousands of dollars in lost profits.  Secure your office with these extra office security tips:

• Always lock your office door, even if you step out for just a minute.

• Advise all employees to stow purses and other valuables in locked drawers when they are away from their desks.  Laptops are especially vulnerable to theft.

• Ask for proper identification from all service personnel who arrive at your office.  Verify their purpose by checking service orders.

• Have deliveries moved to secured areas immediately upon receipt.  Leaving them unattended is inviting to thieves of opportunity. 

• Instruct all your employees to greet strangers with a polite  “May I help you?”  Acknowledging the presence of visitors may scare away potential thieves, yet also provides assistance and welcome to legitimate guests. 

• Maintain detailed inventory of all office supplies, including inventory records of all office equipment serial numbers, PSU numbers, and values and dates of purchases.

• Install security cameras throughout your office.  Studies show not only a decrease in theft, but an increase in employee performance.