| In real estate and business, it's all about location, | | | | your customers coming and going. You can mount a |
| location, location. You could have the best baby | | | | mini bubble just inside the doorway as close to eye |
| clothes in the world, but if you're in an area where | | | | level as you can manage. This way, you can maximize |
| there are a lot of bars and crime, what mother is going | | | | camera coverage behind the counter with a ceiling |
| to risk shopping in your store? The same rings true for | | | | mounted camera to keep an eye on your cashiers |
| your Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system. Proper | | | | and registers. Also, customers who are there to |
| camera placement can make or break videos if you're | | | | commit fraud are going to put their guard up as they |
| hit by check or credit card fraud. So just where should | | | | get closer to the registers. So if you catch them when |
| you put your cameras to protect your business from | | | | they are entering, they are likely to be more relaxed |
| this growing crime trend? | | | | and less concerned about concealing their identities. |
| Common practice is to put cameras behind the | | | | After all, they don't want to draw attention to |
| counter up near the ceiling. This gives you the most | | | | themselves. |
| bang for your buck. It allows you to keep an eye on | | | | If you have a larger store, make sure you have |
| your cash registers and your employees. But if you | | | | cameras out on the sales floor, especially where you |
| want to prosecute someone who has committed | | | | have your more expensive merchandise. If you have a |
| fraud against your business, you're going to have to do | | | | smaller store, you may be able to use one or two |
| better than a video of the top of his or her head. The | | | | cameras effectively. People who are paying with |
| best place to put a camera is right in your customers' | | | | stolen checks or credit cards usually shop quickly and |
| faces. With cameras getting smaller and cheaper, it's | | | | don't pay attention to prices. They'll often go straight to |
| easier than you think to do this and most customers | | | | the highest priced items and "purchase" more than one |
| aren't even going to notice. | | | | of the same item. They will usually shop for items that |
| OK, so you're ready to get in your customers' faces. | | | | are easy to resell and will get them the best prices on |
| Here are some effective placements for your | | | | the street. Having this on video can help you prove |
| cameras. Putting a web-style camera on top of your | | | | intent if you decide to prosecute. |
| register is probably the easiest and cheapest | | | | If you decide to prosecute an instance of check or |
| application. However, you run the risk of it getting | | | | credit card fraud, a quality video gives you the best |
| bumped or moved. Another option is to get a mini | | | | chance to recoup your losses. Make sure your |
| bubble and mount it to an electrical pole or some other | | | | cameras get good pictures of your customers' faces. |
| surface near the transaction plane. Just make sure | | | | Bolster your case by recording the fraudsters' |
| you place it between your cashier and your | | | | shopping behaviors so you can prove intent. And |
| customers. Otherwise, you may just get a really good | | | | remember: location, location, location! |
| shot of your cashiers' backs. A third option is to catch | | | | |