Hiring Nightmares Part 3: The Fraudulent Salesperson
The stories presented in the “Hiring Nightmares” series are entirely fictional and created for illustrative purposes. Any similarities to actual companies, individuals, or events are purely coincidental and unintentional. These scenarios are designed to highlight the importance of thorough background checks and the potential risks of inadequate screening. Readers should not interpret these stories as real-life events or representations of specific businesses.
The Salesperson Who Used the System to Steal from the Company
The electronics store was expanding fast, and they needed a top-notch salesperson to lead the charge in their flagship location. Specializing in high-end smartphones and electronics, the store prided itself on offering quality products and service. When Erin applied for the position of Sales Lead, she seemed like a dream candidate. With a strong resume, years of experience, and a reputation for driving sales, she impressed Diane, the Store Manager, and Carlos, the Regional Sales Director. Erin was hired quickly, and in their excitement, they skipped a comprehensive background check.
At first, Erin was a star. She brought energy and enthusiasm to the sales floor, motivated her team, and seemed to know exactly how to connect with customers. Her numbers were impressive, and Lily, the Assistant Manager, frequently praised Erin’s ability to hit ambitious sales targets. Customers loved her too—she knew the products inside and out and made everyone feel valued and supported.
But after a few months, Tom, the Finance Manager, noticed unusual patterns in the store’s inventory and sales reports. High-end electronics, particularly the latest smartphones, seemed to be moving at an unusually fast pace, with an equally high volume of returns. But these returns often didn’t align with sales trends, and the repeated return transactions raised a red flag.
Suspicious, Diane decided to investigate further. She reviewed recent transactions and noticed a recurring pattern: certain customers, often young men who Erin seemed particularly friendly with, were purchasing the latest models in bulk, only to return a portion of them shortly after. She pulled security footage and confirmed her suspicions—Erin was engaging in a scheme involving her friends.
Here’s how it worked: Erin’s friends would come into the store and buy the latest phones or electronics, with Erin ringing them up at the register. Instead of giving them the one or two items they’d purchased, Erin would sneak them an extra item or two. The friends would then return only part of the merchandise a few days later, with Erin processing the return as if it were a standard transaction. Meanwhile, they’d sell the extra electronics online and split the profits with Erin. It was an elaborate scheme, and they’d managed to siphon thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise from the store in just a few months.
A quick background check would have revealed Erin’s previous involvement in a similar fraud scheme at a prior retail job. She had been terminated but managed to keep the incident off her resume, and the hiring team’s rushed process meant her past went unexamined.
The fallout was severe. In the short term, the company faced significant financial losses and had to implement stricter inventory and return protocols. Diane had to manage a frustrated team, who felt betrayed by their once-beloved leader. Erin was, of course, terminated and faced criminal charges, but the damage was done. In the long term, the store’s reputation took a hit, and customer trust needed to be rebuilt. The company invested in additional security measures, revamped their hiring policies to include comprehensive background checks, and doubled down on staff training.
Conclusion:
A simple criminal background check would have flagged Erin’s prior involvement in retail fraud, saving the company from financial loss and reputation damage. SELECTiON.COM® offers thorough background screening services, including criminal history checks, to help protect your business from hiring risks. Don’t let a single bad hire undermine your company—partner with SELECTiON.COM® to make informed, secure hiring decisions.
