Loss Prevention and Asset Protection: My Personal Experience

When it comes to loss prevention and asset protection, there are many different points to be aware of. Security is a big part of it. Involves inventory, fraud, and, most of all, theft. This includes everything from monitoring CCTV cameras to reviewing reports.

One thing I’ve noticed from my own experience is that a lot if not most of the theft in retail, industrial, or warehouse environments happens internally. Often, it's the employees or people close to the business who are involved in theft. Some people think everything is covered by insurance, but that's not true, many losses aren’t.

I’ve also noticed that many companies think adding a visible security officer at the entrance is a solution, in reality, that's not enough. Loss prevention is much more extensive. It involves a range of methods, from investigating credit card fraud to reviewing inventories, analyzing camera footage, and filing reports.

When companies hire a loss prevention or asset protection team, it's crucial that the team is undercover or plainclothes. This lets them blend in with the rest of the employees or even pose as shoppers or warehouse workers — that's when you can really see what’s going on.

An asset protection officer is also vigilant and watchful for suspicious activity by shoppers or other customers as they come into the store. They pay close attention to unusual behavior, track suspects, and help identify potential theft before it happens. This adds an additional layer of protection for both the store’s assets and its customers.

Undercover security is a key tactic in many operations, allowing the team to observe without drawing suspicion, gather information, and respond quickly and effectively if a theft is in progress.

I remember a situation few years back when a manager was repeatedly hiring and then letting go of numerous loss prevention or security officers. This raised a huge red flag for me. I suspected something was up — possibly an insider theft — and I chose not to pursue that employment opportunity. I knew I would have to report directly to upper management instead of the person who was responsible for the hiring, which made me suspicious.

Therefore, I think it’s very important for a loss prevention team to have close, direct communication with corporate supervisors instead of the store’s own management. This helps avoid a conflict of interest.

This kind of work is busy and challenging. Every day involves reviewing reports, calling the police, checking bags and receipts, investigating inventory, and constantly looking for vulnerabilities. Loss prevention is not a passive role — it’s a relentless, ongoing process.

Overall, I really enjoyed the time I spent in this field. It kept me engaged, vigilant, and always thinking a few steps ahead — and that's what it’s all about when you’re protecting a business’s assets.