Dive from C-Store Center - Fraud Fighters Assemble! Protecting Our Stores, Protecting Our Community

Episode 32 Duration: 19 minutes

Join host Mike Hernandez as he transforms sales associates into fraud-fighting guardians of the restricted aisles. Through compelling real-world stories—including Mark's state seal detection at Elm Street, Sarah's nervous teenager group at Bayside, Jessica's tampered 12-pack discovery at North Street, Michael's distraction duo foiling at Walnut Street, and Sarah's lottery ticket tampering catch—learn the tricks fraudsters use, the red flags to watch for, and the technology tools that empower you to protect your store, uphold the law, and create a safe community environment.

Episode Overview

Master essential fraud prevention elements:

• Fake ID detection techniques
• Suspicious behavior recognition
• Tampered packaging identification
• Distraction duo awareness
• Technology tool utilization

The Fraud Fighter Mission: Guardians of Restricted Aisles

Learn to recognize:

• Cashier-to-guardian transformation
• Rule-bypass attempt prevention
• Smoke-booze-lottery protection
• Restricted area safeguarding
• Community defense responsibility

Fraud Tactic #1: Fake IDs - Trusting Your Gut

Develop approaches for:

• Inconsistency identification
• Blurry photo detection
• Mismatched font recognition
• Material texture assessment
• Gut feeling trust

Fake ID Red Flags

Master techniques for:

• Printing inconsistency spotting
• Photo clarity evaluation
• Font variation detection
• Material flimsiness recognition
• Unprofessional lamination identification

Real Story: Mark's Elm Street State Seal Discovery

Create systems for:

• Cigarette purchase attempt
• Legitimate first-glance appearance
• Nervous demeanor observation
• Fidgeting behavior recognition
• Suspicion triggering

Mark's Close Examination

Implement strategies for:

• Company policy explanation
• Special light utilization
• State seal color comparison
• Genuine ID reference checking
• Slight difference detection

Mark's Customer Confession

Establish protocols for:

• Scrutiny observation
• Customer fluster recognition
• Real ID admission
• Quick confession achievement
• Prevention success

Fake ID Detection Importance

Develop approaches for:

• Close examination value
• Instinct trust emphasis
• Extra attention payoff
• First line defense recognition
• Gut feeling tool power

Fraud Tactic #2: Suspicious Behavior - Jittery Giveaways

Create systems for:

• Nervousness recognition
• Excessive talking detection
• Rushing process identification
• Eye contact avoidance
• Jittery behavior spotting

Suspicious Behavior Red Flags

Master techniques for:

Nervousness Indicators:

• Fidgeting observation
• Sweating detection
• Excessive blinking recognition
• Anxiety sign awareness
• Getting-caught feeling

Excessive Talking:

• Distraction attempt recognition
• Irrelevant question spotting
• Joke-cracking identification
• Mood-lightening awareness
• Focus maintenance

Rushing Process:

• Impatience detection
• Transaction hurrying
• Around-glancing observation
• Worried behavior recognition
• Caught-concern identification

Real Story: Sarah's Bayside Nervous Teenager Group

Implement strategies for:

• Beer case presentation
• Nervous bunch identification
• Feet shuffling observation
• Eye contact avoidance
• Joke-around attempt

Sarah's Off-Feeling Response

Establish protocols for:

• Polite-firm explanation
• Careful ID examination
• Company policy following
• Birthdate inconsistency discovery
• Two ID mismatch recognition

Sarah's Prevention Success

Develop approaches for:

• Teenager realization
• Real ID forgetting excuse
• Empty-handed departure
• Alcohol sale prevention
• Underage customer protection

Suspicious Behavior Detection Importance

Create systems for:

• Calm demeanor maintenance
• Procedure following
• Body language monitoring
• Instinct trust
• Extra time investment

Fraud Tactic #3: Tampered Packaging - Eagle Eye Inspection

Master techniques for:

• Product inspection priority
• Packaging examination
• Sneaking prevention
• Eagle eye development
• Outside-inside balance

Tampered Packaging Red Flags

Implement strategies for:

Ripped or Resealed:

• Multi-pack examination
• Tear identification
• Uneven cut detection
• Tampering sign recognition
• Seal re-gluing spotting

Mismatched Packaging:

• Inconsistency awareness
• Visible resealing detection
• Altered packaging recognition
• Product verification
• Wrapping quality assessment

Real Story: Jessica's North Street Coca-Cola Scam

Establish protocols for:

• 12-pack purchase attempt
• Cardboard wrapping tampering
• Scotch tape sealing recognition
• Suspicious element detection
• Close examination explanation

Jessica's Discovery Process

Develop approaches for:

• Careful examination execution
• Cardboard end inspection
• Subtle opening detection
• Bottom reseal identification
• Beer can replacement discovery

Jessica's Red-Handed Catch

Create systems for:

• Customer admission achievement
• ID-avoidance scheme revelation
• Beer purchase attempt exposure
• Fraud prevention success
• Packaging inspection value

Tampered Packaging Detection Importance

Master techniques for:

• Quick check execution
• Rip-reseal spotting
• Ordinary deviation recognition
• Multi-pack examination
• Fraudulent attempt foiling

Fraud Tactic #4: The Distraction Duo - Teamwork Tactics

Implement strategies for:

• Pair operation awareness
• Matching outfit absence
• Security bypass attempt
• Dynamic duo recognition
• Eyes-peeled vigilance

Distraction Duo Red Flags

Establish protocols for:

Bait and Switch:

• Conversation engagement
• Question barrage
• Scene creation
• Partner sneaking
• Register distraction

Stay Alert:

• Whole interaction monitoring
• Surrounding scanning
• Overly chatty recognition
• Agitation detection
• Moment-taking pause

Real Story: Michael's Walnut Street Duo Foiling

Develop approaches for...