New Tech-Driven ORC Tactic
ORC Gangs Using Fake Mobile POS Devices in New Retail Scam

By the D&D Daily staff

Organized retail crime groups are adopting a new, tech-driven tactic: using fraudulent mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) devices to carry out in-store scams that bypass traditional theft detection methods.

According to recent law enforcement reports, these groups are entering stores posing as employees, vendors, or contractors. They carry counterfeit handheld checkout devices that mimic legitimate retailer hardware. Once inside, they process fake returns, reroute payments, or issue unauthorized refunds — often without raising alarms.

In multiple cases across the U.S., these devices were disguised to resemble a store’s branded scanners. Some even displayed fake transaction screens to convince customers and staff that the activity was legitimate. Funds are typically funneled into prepaid accounts or digital wallets before the fraud is discovered.

This emerging threat reflects the growing intersection of retail fraud and cyber-enabled crime, as criminals exploit the expanding use of mobile checkout systems in stores.

Experts recommend retailers take steps to mitigate risk, including:

• Tracking mPOS device serial numbers

• Training staff to verify credentials of anyone using checkout tools

• Auditing mobile transactions for anomalies

While smash-and-grab headlines dominate the news, this quieter form of fraud highlights how ORC continues to evolve — trading brute force for stealth and sophistication.


Deep Dive Into New York's New Retail Workplace Violence Law
Work Matters: What to know about the Retail Workplace Violence Protection Act

The Retail Workplace Violence Protection Act became law in New York state in June.

A report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an annualized incidence rate of 1.4 cases per 10,000 full-time retail workers in 2021-22 — i.e., injuries requiring days away from work, job restriction, or transfer due to intentional injury by another person. Of all nonfatal workplace violence, around 57,600 cases nationwide — approximately 29% — occurred in retail settings.

New York experiences an even greater incident rate. New York retailers reported $4.4 billion in losses in 2022, largely from shoplifting and organized theft. New York City alone had over 63,900 shoplifting incidents in 2022, up around 45% from 2021, according to a Times Union report.

Retail employees, especially Gen Z workers, face elevated risk; many report they have experienced violence or intimidation at a retail workplace. Jobs such as cashiers, stock clerks, inventory managers, store managers, security personnel, customer service representatives and delivery/fulfillment staff are considered higher risk for violence in retail settings.

The Retail Workplace Violence Prevention Act requires all retail employers with 10 or more employees to adopt a workplace violence prevention policy and train employees on workplace violence prevention upon hire. The policy must be distributed to employees when they are hired and redistributed annually after that. Employers with 50 or more retail employees must provide retail workplace violence prevention training once a year. Employers with 49 or fewer retail employees must provide training every two years.

The Retail Workplace Violence Prevention Act training provides employees with information on the employer’s responsibilities under the New York State Retail Worker Safety Act, de-escalation tactics, the employer’s emergency procedures, and how to use available security and emergency devices. The training also provides employees with information on how to protect themselves if faced with workplace violence and how to report violent incidents to the employer. All retail employers with 500 or more employees will have additional requirements.

If an incident of workplace violence occurs, the employer must evaluate the risk factors that may have led to the incident. The state Department of Labor recommends that employers maintain a record of any reports of workplace violence so that they may evaluate and identify any trends in workplace violence incidents over time. timesunion.com


'Game-Changer' for Fighting Crime?
Facial recognition is solving crimes — here’s how to use it the right way

Steps agencies can take to ensure facial recognition supports justice, accuracy and public confidence

The benefits of facial recognition are proven and growing, through a wide range of vastly different consumer, commercial and government applications. In law enforcement, facial recognition software is used to assist in identifying and capturing criminals and bringing justice and closure for victims. At the same time, there is some confusion and misunderstanding around its role in criminal investigations. Put simply, it helps generate identification leads by comparing facial images for similarity.

How facial recognition assists criminal investigations

Across the vast range of applications, facial recognition technology (FRT) has three primary functions, with different outputs:

1. Verification: Verifying that a person matches and enrolled image associated with their identity. (Output: an automated yes/no decision to authenticate.)

2. Identification: Determining that an image matches one or more images enrolled in a database. (Output: either an automated yes/no decision of some kind, or flagging a likely match for further review.)

3. Investigation: Helping determine whether a matching image is in a database for an investigative purpose. (Output: a series of images from a database with the highest similarity scores are provided for review.)

Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies have used the technology for the latter function for well over a decade, comparing facial images in thousands of investigations. Many public safety officials feel that facial recognition has become a game-changer for keeping communities safe, pointing to instances where crimes would have never been solved or prevented without it. Use under appropriate policies and procedures has been endorsed by the nation’s leading law enforcement professional associations.  police1.com


'Data Issues' Making Crime-Tracking Difficult in California
Crime fell statewide in 2024, but data issues blur trends for two big Bay Area cities

Over the past 15 years, violent crime has increased, while property crimes have dropped

The DOJ report shows California's violent crime rate was down 6% from 2023 to 2024, but when zooming in on the Bay Area, the trends in two major cities are complicated by data issues. mercurynews.com


New League City police team targets retail crime at businesses in Gulf Freeway corridor

UK OPINION: I feel robbed by Waitrose response to shoplifting
 

 
'Simplicity, Consistency, and Awareness'
Employees across U.S. shaken by deadly office attack: What to know to stay safe

Expert advises employees to know emergency exits and recommends 'Run, Hide, Fight' framework for office security

Patrick Timlin, CEO of SilverSEAL Corporation and a veteran of both law enforcement and private security, told Fox News Digital that security "is not just for skyscrapers, but for the town hall in a small county, a school, or a mom-and-pop grocery store."

Timlin wants everyday professionals, from software engineers in suburban office parks to receptionists in distribution centers, to realize that the most effective defense starts with simplicity, consistency, and awareness.

For Timlin, the most effective workplace security measures don’t come from fear-driven protocols or flashy gadgets. "It’s not about paranoia," he says. "It’s about awareness." He points to one of the most overlooked safety gaps: employees not knowing their own office layout.

"You’d be surprised how many people take the elevator to the third floor every day, grab coffee, and don’t have any clue where the emergency exits are," Timlin explains. "That’s a problem." He advised employees to know your exits, know your options if forced to exit and walk the space to keep an eye on potentially hiding spots.

He recommended that organizations adopt the "Run, Hide, Fight" framework from the Department of Homeland Security and tailor it to their office. "You might not get to choose the order," he adds, "but you should know the principles."

"Training doesn’t need to frighten people. It just needs to stick," Timlin says. "Done right, it’s stress-free, not fear-based. That’s how you empower people." foxnews.com


More Retail Uncertainty Coming
Trump's new global tariffs add to risk of higher prices, less choice as retail's spring ordering season starts

Ordering for spring should begin now, but tariff uncertainty is weighing on decisions.

President Trump’s trade war has already loomed large over the back-to-school and holiday season ordering of retailers. Spring season is next, and it is occurring just as Trump’s latest sweeping global tariffs take effect.

While Spring 2026 may seem relatively far off into the future, for retailers, now is the time of year when they plan spring orders, and both retailing and manufacturing experts say the tariffs will influence the level of activity.

The retail industry warned on Friday that the latest tariffs may lead to higher prices, fewer products on the shelves, and job losses.

“Continued high tariffs from key sourcing countries, last-minute policy shifts, and unclear new requirements are creating the perfect storm for a difficult holiday season and a challenging spring,” said Steve Lamar, CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association. “America’s most popular brands and retailers are in a flurry of navigating the still-unpublished details of new trade deals. As they plan for Spring 2026, they’re weighing tough choices: whether to raise prices, cut jobs, or reduce the range of products offered to consumers,” he said. cnbc.com


NRF Pressures Trump to Lower Tariffs
'Retailers have been able to hold the line on pricing so far, but the new tariffs will impact merchandise in the coming weeks.'

NRF Encourages Open Markets by Lowering Tariffs, Not Raising Them
The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from NRF Executive Vice President of Government Relations David French following President Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on countries around the world.

“We encourage the administration to negotiate binding trade agreements that truly open markets by lowering tariffs, not raising them. Tariffs are taxes paid by U.S. importers and are eventually passed along to U.S. consumers. These higher tariffs will hurt Americans, including consumers, retailers and their employees, and manufacturers, because the direct result of tariffs will be higher prices, decreased hiring, fewer capital expenditures and slower innovation.

“Retailers have been able to hold the line on pricing so far, but the new tariffs will impact merchandise in the coming weeks. We have heard directly from small retailers who are concerned about their ability to stay in business in the face of these unsustainable tariff rates.” nrf.com

 
Trump's new tariffs to trigger supply chain disruption

At Home store closures accelerate

Signet Jewelers makes C-suite appointments

Last week's #1 article --

Walmart's War on Shrink:
Inside the Retail Giant's Battle Against Theft
Medford, Oregon – The bright lights of Walmart's aisles, once just about deals, now illuminate a stark reality: a nationwide battle against theft. Here in Medford, and across the country, the retail giant is employing an aggressive, multi-pronged strategy to combat "shrink"—their term for inventory loss—which is costing billions and reshaping how we shop.

Fortifying the Store: Visible & Invisible Deterrents

Shopping at Walmart feels different now. Many items, from basic deodorant to high-end electronics and even some food, are locked behind glass cases, requiring staff assistance. This visible security is bolstered by undercover loss prevention personnel who blend in, observing and deterring. In high-theft areas, you might even see visible security guards or, in extreme cases, on-site police substations. As you exit, especially from self-checkout, receipt checks are increasingly common—a final verification before you leave.

The Tech Offensive: AI, Invisible Codes, and Smart Access

Walmart's tech arsenal is equally formidable. They've deployed AI-powered surveillance at checkouts, particularly self-checkout. Systems like "Everseen" detect "missed scans" or suspicious activity, immediately alerting staff with video evidence. To make scanning more foolproof, Walmart uses Digimarc's "invisible barcodes" on store brands, embedded across the entire product, making it harder for thieves to bypass scanners.

They're even experimenting with smartphone-based unlocking for secured cases, aiming to balance security with customer convenience. All these efforts are supported by extensive CCTV networks for constant monitoring.   newsbreak.com