According to the European Theft Barometer, shrinkage is costing retailers more than £2.52 billion a year. From employee theft to shoplifting and from stolen credit cards to simple cashier errors – loss in retail can be due to many factors. However an innovation is now available, which when applied to Epson’s approved range of EPoS papers, helps retailers combat one growing area of concern – receipt fraud.

This kind of fraud is alarmingly straightforward. Having previously stolen an item in store, the individual returns with a forged receipt for a refund. Believing the receipt to be genuine, the cashier then pays out. Many retailers believe that by having their logo and returns message on the reverse of receipts, that they’re safeguarding themselves from such scams. This is not the case. Using today’s sophisticated technology, an exact replica of any in-store receipt can be reproduced by criminals quickly and easily.

Now, however, Vanguard – as one of the UK’s leading independent paper roll manufacturers approved by Epson – has the answer. Joining forces with one of the world’s leading security ink manufacturers, Vanguard is able to offer the retail market receipts that cannot be copied with special “scratch and reveal” ink. As the name suggests, in order to authenticate a receipt the cashier simply strikes a fingernail over the ink - if a new layer or colour is revealed below, the receipt is genuine. This check can be carried out so easily and discreetly with the fraudster unaware that the receipt is being inspected, giving the cashier valuable time to alert security.

And Vanguard’s security ink is fool-proof. The two special layers cannot be mechanically or electronically replicated. It’s tamper evident, designed to permanently react should it come into contact with any solvents commonly used to alter receipts. And the ink doesn’t fade with UV light, plus it works well in all climatic conditions. What’s more, the ink is cost effective and can be used with all Epson approved plain and thermal papers.

“This is a real breakthrough for the retail industry,” said Dominic De Luca, Managing Director at Vanguard. “Our ink offers both overt and covert
protection. The visible top layer acts as a real deterrent to the casual counterfeiter, whilst the bottom layer which is not evident until activated, will help retailers eliminate the more sophisticated criminal element.”