November 2017

Crime tends to require three elements: motive, desire and opportunity. Employee theft is no different. Being aware of the reasons leading up to employee theft and learning to identify likely perpetrators can give employers a leg up on protecting their companies from theft.

Motive & Desire

Employees who steal usually have their motives. For example,...

Make no mistake. Payroll fraud is real. Recently, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) found payroll fraud occurred in 27% of all businesses, nearly twice as often in small businesses. Worsening the outlook, payroll fraud lasts for an average of three years, with businesses taking a median hit of $145,000.00. That’s three years...

Sunset Villas is a condominium complex with fifty units on the shores of Lake Michigan. Owners pay $550.00 a month in dues towards neighborhood and maintenance, including the upkeep of the pool and common areas. When the owners hired a property management company, they didn’t realize Sunset Villas was a tempting, lucrative target. Homeowners associations...

On October 31, 2017, SDC held our annual Halloween Costume Contest. Costumes ranged from Peter Pan to a giant grumpy white cat to a witch and even a lamp (complete with cord). This year’s prize winner dressed as an Identity Thief – wearing a black cap and black clothes covered with name tags. All joined...