Hauliers Warned To Be On High Alert To Internal Crime

Hauliers, logistics specialists and removal firms are being warned of the need to safeguard themselves against the impact of internal theft, following research in 2016 that showed 67 per cent of British workers have stolen from their employer.

While many thefts can be small and insignificant, with employees often stealing items such as stationery or a packet of biscuits, the cost of an individual theft or fraud can add up to a five-figure sum or above.

Figures show the UK is one of the worst countries in the world for stealing by employees – and the problem is on the rise. It costs the UK economy around £168 million per year, according to the British Retail Consortium, and each individual incident costs £788 on average – more than that of a customer theft.

Employee theft could be a straightforward case of robbing a colleague, or the employer, of their property, but could also entail: compromising or altering customer or payroll data to facilitate fraud; fraudulently transferring or withdrawing funds; or manipulating internal accounting systems and records for personal or third party benefit.

False or inflated supplier invoices may also be submitted by an individual to assist either themselves or a third party, and employees could pass on vital information that enables a cyber crime to take place.