arger store, make sure you have cameras out on the sales floor, especially where you have your more expensive merchandise. If you have a smaller store, you may be able to use one or two cameras effectively. People who are paying with stolen checks or credit cards usually shop quickly and don't pay attention to prices. They'll often go straight to the highest priced items and “purchase” more than one of the same item. They will usually shop for items that are easy to resell and will get them the best prices on the street. Having this on video can heIn real estate and business, it's all about location, location, location. You could have the best baby clothes in the world, but if you're in an area where there are a lot of bars and crime, what mother is going to risk shopping in your store? The same rings true for your Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system. Proper camera placement can make or break videos if you're hit by check or credit card fraud. So just where should you put your cameras to protect your business from this growing crime trend?

Common practice is to put cameras behind the counter up near the ceiling. This gives you the most bang for your buck. It allows you to keep an eye on your cash registers and your employees. But if you want to prosecute someone who has committed fraud against your business, you're going to have to do better than a video of the top of his or her head. The best place to put a camera is right in your customers' faces. With cameras getting smaller and cheaper, it's easier than you think to do this and most customers aren't even going to notice.

OK, so you're ready to get in your customers' faces. Here are some effective placements for your cameras. Putting a web-style camera on top of your register is probably the easiest and cheapest application. However, you run the risk of it getting bumped or moved. Another option is to get a mini bubble and mount it to an electrical pole or some other surface near the transaction plane. Just make sure you place it between your cashier and your customers. Otherwise, you may just get a really good shot of your cashiers' backs. A third option is to catch your customers coming and going. You can mount a mini bubble just inside the doorway as close to eye level as you can manage. This way, you can maximize camera coverage behind the counter with a ceiling mounted camera to keep an eye on your cashiers and registers. Also, customers who are there to commit fraud are going to put their guard up as they get closer to the registers. So if you catch them when they are entering, they are likely to be more relaxed and less concerned about concealing their identities. After all, they don't want to draw attention to themselves.

If you have a larger store, make sure you have cameras out on the sales floor, especially where you have your more expensive merchandise. If you have a smaller store, you may be able to use one or two cameras effectively. People who are paying with stolen checks or credit cards usually shop quickly and don't pay attention to prices. They'll often go straight to the highest priced items and “purchase” more than one of the same item. They will usually shop for items that are easy to resell and will get them the best prices on the street. Having this on video can he

e counter up near the ceiling. This gives you the most bang for your buck. It allows you to keep an eye on your cash registers and your employees. But if you want to prosecute someone who has committed fraud against your business, you're going to have to do better than a video of the top of his or her head. The best place to put a camera is right in your customers' faces. With cameras getting smaller and cheaper, it's easier than you think to do this and most customers aren't even going to notice.

OK, so you're ready to get in your customers' faces. Here are some effective placements for your cameras. Putting a web-style camera on top of your register is probably the easiest and cheapest application. However, you run the risk of it getting bumped or moved. Another option is to get a mini bubble and mount it to an electrical pole or some other surface near the transaction plane. Just make sure you place it between your cashier and your customers. Otherwise, you may just get a really good shot of your cashiers' backs. A third option is to catch your customers coming and going. You can mount a mini bubble just inside the doorway as close to eye level as you can manage. This way, you can maximize camera coverage behind the counter with a ceiling mounted camera to keep an eye on your cashiers and registers. Also, customers who are there to commit fraud are going to put their guard up as they get closer to the registers. So if you catch them when they are entering, they are likely to be more relaxed and less concerned about concealing their identities. After all, they don't want to draw attention to themselves.

If you have a larger store, make sure you have cameras out on the sales floor, especially where you have your more expensive merchandise. If you have a smaller store, you may be able to use one or two cameras effectively. People who are paying with stolen checks or credit cards usually shop quickly and don't pay attention to prices. They'll often go straight to the highest priced items and “purchase” more than one of the same item. They will usually shop for items that are easy to resell and will get them the best prices on the street. Having this on video can he

faces. Here are some effective placements for your cameras. Putting a web-style camera on top of your register is probably the easiest and cheapest application. However, you run the risk of it getting bumped or moved. Another option is to get a mini bubble and mount it to an electrical pole or some other surface near the transaction plane. Just make sure you place it between your cashier and your customers. Otherwise, you may just get a really good shot of your cashiers' backs. A third option is to catch your customers coming and going. You can mount a mini bubble just inside the doorway as close to eye level as you can manage. This way, you can maximize camera coverage behind the counter with a ceiling mounted camera to keep an eye on your cashiers and registers. Also, customers who are there to commit fraud are going to put their guard up as they get closer to the registers. So if you catch them when they are entering, they are likely to be more relaxed and less concerned about concealing their identities. After all, they don't want to draw attention to themselves.

If you have a larger store, make sure you have cameras out on the sales floor, especially where you have your more expensive merchandise. If you have a smaller store, you may be able to use one or two cameras effectively. People who are paying with stolen checks or credit cards usually shop quickly and don't pay attention to prices. They'll often go straight to the highest priced items and “purchase” more than one of the same item. They will usually shop for items that are easy to resell and will get them the best prices on the street. Having this on video can he

mount a mini bubble just inside the doorway as close to eye level as you can manage. This way, you can maximize camera coverage behind the counter with a ceiling mounted camera to keep an eye on your cashiers and registers. Also, customers who are there to commit fraud are going to put their guard up as they get closer to the registers. So if you catch them when they are entering, they are likely to be more relaxed and less concerned about concealing their identities. After all, they don't want to draw attention to themselves.

If you have a larger store, make sure you have cameras out on the sales floor, especially where you have your more expensive merchandise. If you have a smaller store, you may be able to use one or two cameras effectively. People who are paying with stolen checks or credit cards usually shop quickly and don't pay attention to prices. They'll often go straight to the highest priced items and “purchase” more than one of the same item. They will usually shop for items that are easy to resell and will get them the best prices on the street. Having this on video can he

arger store, make sure you have cameras out on the sales floor, especially where you have your more expensive merchandise. If you have a smaller store, you may be able to use one or two cameras effectively. People who are paying with stolen checks or credit cards usually shop quickly and don't pay attention to prices. They'll often go straight to the highest priced items and “purchase” more than one of the same item. They will usually shop for items that are easy to resell and will get them the best prices on the street. Having this on video can help you prove intent if you decide to prosecute.

If you decide to prosecute an instance of check or credit card fraud, a quality video gives you the best chance to recoup your losses. Make sure your cameras get good pictures of your customers’ faces. Bolster your case by recording the fraudsters' shopping behaviors so you can prove intent. And remember: location, location, location!