Doug Davis- Founder/President NCIC Bryan
Davis- Crime Analyst
Dealers who participate in coin shows
are potential targets of numismatic predators. The following tactics and
practices provide dealers and their employees with a basic safety plan that
will help reduce the chances of becoming a numismatic crime victim.
1.
Take the time to learn about the show you will
be attending and the area in which it is located.
2.
Contact the bourse chairman to answer any
additional questions such as location of loading and unloading areas. (
Possible construction areas, road closings close to venue etc.,)
3.
If traveling by personal car plan most direct
route and determine any construction or choke points (Contact State Police or
State Transportation Department for this type of information). Identify any
potential weather issues that would cause travel problems. Determine if there
are any cellphone dead spots along your route. Always be alert to suspicious
vehicles.
4.
Travel
with someone and let a family member know your route and estimated time of
arrival.
5.
Inventory coins and leave copy on home/office
computer. (Downloading to a flash drive provides an additional layer of
documentation)
6.
Upon arrival locate unloading area and make sure
adequate security is in place while unloading (loading). Before exiting your
vehicle look around for any suspicious persons, vehicles or activity.
7.
Do not let cell phones distract you (Texting and
talking) while loading and unloading.
8.
Once you have unloaded do not park in a secluded
parking lot or one that does not have adequate lighting after dark.
9.
Always be alert to the surroundings when going
to and from your vehicle. Do not use cell phone.
10.
If you are arriving by air and taking a cab,
shuttle or limousine to the show do not take your eyes off your bags until they
are secured within the vehicle. In situations where you are using a shuttle
stay at the rear until the last piece of luggage is loaded and then board. (Do
not let any distraction cause you to take your eyes off of your bags)
11.
If possible keep the most valuable bag in your
possession.
12.
Do not advertise you are a coin dealer and going
to the coin show.
13.
When you get to the show and exit the vehicle be
alert to the surroundings while your bags are being unloaded. ( Do not let any
distraction cause you take your eyes off of your bags)
14.
Once
inside the show check-in and immediately put on your show credentials.
15.
When you arrive at your table secure inventory
behind table before you start arranging cases, lamps and chairs. DO NOT LEAVE
ANYTHING IN AISLE.
16.
Identify who is on each side and behind you.
17.
Do not let other dealers or early birds look at
coins until set-up is complete. This will eliminate any distractions and
maintains control of inventory.
18.
Do not display more material than you can
control.
19.
Once
set-up is complete take photos with your phone to document your presence at
show. (Insurance and Law Enforcement purposes).
20.
Take photos of individual cases. (Insurance and
Law Enforcement purposes)
21.
Use extra cases on backup table to secure
additional inventory, money bags and invoices.
22.
Do not keep cash, invoices, checkbooks or
itemized inventory listing in same location.
23.
Secure briefcases to backup table with cable
locks.
24.
If you occupy a corner table make sure back-up
inventory cannot be reached by customers.
25.
Look around and locate all exits emergency and
non-emergency. Familiarize yourself with the entire room.
26.
Fire Alarms – Know the protocol of the facility
if a fire alarm is tripped and mandatory evacuation is required (real or
false).
27.
Develop a mental plan of escape if an emergency
arises that requires immediate evacuation of the bourse floor.
28.
Keep a small LED flashlight within easy
reach in case of power failure within the bourse floor (It does happen!!).
29.
If lights go out illuminate flashlight and have
customers push back away from the table and remain seated. Close cases
immediately.
30.
Cases should be locked at all times including those
on backup table.
31.
Be
familiar with security personnel.
32.
Know how to contact security during the show if
needed.
33.
Know how to contact a show representative during
the show if needed.
34.
Know how to contact a show representative after
show closes in case of an accident or medical emergency.
35.
When dealing with customers show only one coin
at a time.
36.
If you are alone do not show coins to multiple
customers at one time. Suspects working in pairs often utilize this method to
keep a dealer distracted.
37.
Coin thieves will migrate to dealer tables that
are extremely busy and easily distracted.
38.
Coin thieves look for dealers who are vulnerable.
39.
In many cases a person’s unusual head and eye
movements raise suspicious red flags.
40.
Always watch a person’s hands carefully.
41.
Do not let customers place personal items on
show case.
42.
When showing raw coins watch hand movements for
palming of coins. In many cases a person looking through a box will pull out
several coins hold in palm and continue to look through box.
43.
Closely watch persons who pull out several coins
lay them out on case and continue to look through box. This creates an
additional distraction and allows for easy palming.
44.
Be aware that suspects may work in pairs. (Males
or Male and Female)
45.
Remember there is no distinctive profile of what
a thief looks like!!
46.
When working in pairs the M.O is for one suspect
to be looking at coins while the other one asks questions to create a
distraction.
47.
Do not let customers pull out their coins for
comparison unless you are watching carefully. In some cases this could be used
as a means of switching coins/paper money.
48.
Do not turn your back to customers.
49.
Be
suspicious of persons asking unsolicited questions about your travel or value
of inventory.
50.
Never divulge to any person you do not know that
you are traveling alone.
51.
Utilize your cell phone camera/video to
photograph/video and document suspicious persons.
52.
Alert security of suspicious persons or activity
on the bourse floor.
53.
Distractions
– Organized groups will often use distraction methods such as a person
fainting, fake heart attack or dropping a small child to open a window of
opportunity for an accomplice to steal while at your table.
54.
Due to the quality of counterfeits carefully
evaluate all purchases from the public. ( Suspects will try to sell
counterfeits to dealers who are extremely busy and will not take the time to
carefully examine the coins)
55.
If you take a check for purchases – photograph
check and identification (require two types of ID) with your cell phone camera.
Carefully evaluate photo identification for quality and make sure the photo
matches the person making the transaction (Although be aware that good
counterfeit ID’s will have matching photos). The address on the check and
identification should match. Do not take postdated checks. If you are still
suspicious ask for other pieces of identification.
56.
Immediately place large cash transactions in
money bags and lock in showcase. Do not
display stacks of cash in showcases.
57.
If you need to leave your table, lock all
cases and alert dealers next to you or in back that you will return shortly.
58.
Develop
and maintain a personal contingency plan: a. if traveling alone keep a list
of any medical conditions, medications and emergency contact numbers inside
your wallet or purse b. If you have
a medical condition that may be incapacitating such as diabetes or epilepsy
make sure someone at the show is aware of a potential problem c. Make sure a family member and fellow
dealer in attendance at the show know where you are staying d. Travel with adequate medications e. Identify someone at the show who can
secure and take possession of your inventory in case of accident or medical
emergency.
59.
When leaving the show at the end of the day do
not carry large sums of cash or inventory.
60.
Talk with security or show representatives to
identify safe and unsafe venues within the area.
61.
Take off all show credentials before leaving the
building.
62.
Do not talk about your business dealings in a
public forum (restaurants, bars etc.,).Remember there is no specific profile of
what a coin thief looks like.
63.
When carrying coins in a briefcase be alert in
areas of congestion that may create an opportunity for theft. Examples: Food lines, ticket lines, crowded
subways, shuttles, elevators etc.,
64.
At the end of the show limit distractions while
packing up. Make sure there is adequate security outside when loading. If
making several trips to vehicle, have someone watch your table and leave most
valuable load for last.
65.
Before driving off check your vehicle for any
possible tampering (low tires, leaking fluids etc.,)
66.
Be cognizant of any suspicious persons or
vehicles.
67.
Do not be complacent always be alert to your
surroundings – “Do Not Be a Victim……. “
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