Jewelers Security Alliance Tips for Jeweler Safety on the Road

By Scott Guginsky, JSA, & Jennifer Heebner, Editor in Chief

This is the third in a multipart series of articles about security measures in the jewelry industry.

Both off-premises crime and the dollar losses from those crimes reported to the Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA) in 2023 increased over the previous year, according to data from the Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA) in New York City.

The percentage increases are astounding. In 2022, the number of off-premises crime events—defined by JSA as “Criminal attacks occurring away from a victim’s base of operations, such as while traveling or surrounding trade shows”— rose nearly 55% from 65 to 100. Dollar losses from those events skyrocketed 112.6%; losses in 2022 totaled $19 million and off-premises dollar losses in 2023 totaled $40.4 million.

June was the most prevalent month for these crimes, and 30% of all off-premises crime involved a traveling salesperson. Off-premises crime events by category increased across the board; burglaries accounted for 8%, theft accounted for 54%, and robberies accounted for 38%.

[JSA defines robberies as taking property by force or fear, theft as taking property without force or fear (e.g., credit and check fraud, distraction or sneak theft crimes, etc.)—burglaries as entering premises (such as a vehicle or hotel room for traveling salespersons) with intent to commit a crime.]

Off-premises dollar losses by category include $18.9 million for robberies, $14.3 million for theft, and $7.2 million for burglaries.

Unfortunately, violence played a role in some of these off-premises crime events. In 11% of them, a victim was physically assaulted, a gun was displayed in seven robberies, a knife or sharp object was displayed in six incidents, and a victim was stabbed or cut in three robberies. Some of the most frequent crime scenes included a highway or street (18%), parking lots or hotels (7% each), a personal residence (4%), and more.

Scott Guginsky, JSA vice president, offers these basic security tips for jewelry industry persons who hit the road for sales.

“These recommendations apply not only to traveling salespersons, but also to retailers when delivering merchandise or attending special events or trade shows,” he says. “JSA highly recommends that merchandise be shipped back and forth or couriered by armored car service.”

Never resist in a robbery, and never chase after the robbers. These criminals will not hesitate to use deadly force.
If you experience trouble with your car trunk lock, door lock or ignition key, or have a flat tire, radiator trouble, or are bumped by another car, consider yourself a crime target. Immediately move to a place of safety. Criminals sometimes will aim to disable your rear right tire so that you must walk around to the opposite side of your vehicle to inspect damage, leaving your driver-side door open to theft of bags left on front seats.
Do not leave jewelry in vehicles. Most insurance companies do not pay claims on these incidents.
Salespersons must exercise evasive driving actions after every sales call and before returning to their hotel, home, or office. Evasive driving tactics include driving very slowly, driving around the block, making U-turns or pulling into a bank or fast-food parking lot. Are one or more cars following you? Be aware that gangs may be using multiple vehicles.
Vary your route and time when traveling between home and your jewelry business. Check occasionally to see if you are being followed.
As you drive to a retail location or your home, scout the area. Park as close to the main entrance of your destination as possible. Do not enter or exit by a rear or secluded entrance. Do not remain seated in your parked car for any length of time before or after sales calls.
Do not fall for distractions. If someone approaches you, consider yourself a crime target and leave immediately. Current ruses include someone telling you have a substance on your car or window, or ketchup or bird poop on your back. They pull out a napkin to help you, distracting you from theft by another individual.
If you are being followed, call 911 and say, ‘I am a jeweler who is being followed and fear I could be the victim of a robbery’. (You don’t want police to think you are actively being assaulted.) If possible, make your call obvious to the suspicious person(s). When criminals see you using your cell phone after you have spotted them, they are less likely to pursue.
Jewelers should not take valuable jewelry merchandise to their homes. By doing so you open up yourself, your home, and your family to becoming crime victims.
Know that you are a target for criminals even if you are not carrying jewelry merchandise, visiting a jewelry business, or carrying a bag of any sort.
Keep your travel plans confidential, including flights, departure and arrival times, hotels, rental cars, and locations to be visited. Don’t post vacation plans on social media so that your house becomes a potential burglary target.
Do not gas up prior to returning a rental car. Either purchase through the rental car company beforehand, or simply return the car. It is important to limit your exposure to risk as much as possible, whether at rental car companies, restaurants, hotels, parking lots, or elsewhere.
When you are entering a hotel lobby to check in, be careful you are not being followed.
Never leave your bags unattended. (JSA has had several reported thefts in the recent years where the criminals have distracted the jeweler and switched bags.)
Never carry original lab reports in a bag with the merchandise.
Prepare a detailed inventory list of all jewelry that is taken on the road. In the event of a loss, this will expedite the insurance claim.
Make sure your insurance policy covers the value of the goods with which you are traveling.
Know that jewelers are often followed from jewelry districts such as New York City’s Diamond District, Los Angeles’ Hill Street, and the Seybold building in Miami. Criminals have been known to follow jewelers for hours or even days to other states, following them until they stop and valuables can be taken.

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