News
New fast casual blog highlights quick-change scams
October 11, 2009
A new blog titled Fast Casual-ty tracks one employee's experiences as a worker in a fast casual restaurant. The first entry highlights a quick-change scam in which the employee was tricked into giving more change than necessary.
Quick-change scams involve people paying for low-cost items with bills of large denomination, then asking for different denominations in change. The customer then uses different methods to try to confuse or intimidate clerks trying to make change.
According to the Web siteeHow.com, there are five ways cashiers can help stop these scams. These steps include:
- Watch out for teams. Be wary if several people distract workers and customers near the cash register by asking questions while the main con artist pulls the scam.
- Be cautious about customers who pay for small items with large denominations. Many businesses avoid this scam by only accepting denominations of $20 or lower. The typical quick change con artist pays for a low-cost item with a $100 bill and asks for change.
- Stay focused when giving change to customers. The con artist will try to confuse the cashier by asking for change in a different way or deciding he wants to pay with a smaller bill. Don't give back the customer's money, until he hands the change back to you. Count it before returning the bill as well.
- Focus on collecting the customer's money and making correct change. Keep the bill the customer gives you on the register in front of you. Slowly count out the change loudly enough so that others can see you and follow the transaction. If a coworker isn't busy, signal her to stand near the register while you deal with the customer.
- Watch surveillance video. Surveillance cameras can catch the scam as it happens. Turn the tape over to police if you've been a victim, so they can try to recover your lost money.
Related Media
Subscribe
Get the latest news and resources from Fast Casual.
