The world’s largest online marketplace is partnering with the world’s
largest retail trade association to tackle organized retail crime. This
unique partnership between eBay and the National Retail Federation will
receive tie in support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
retailer participation and new technology to identify and attack
organized retail crime.
“eBay has invested in a number of new resources and is making tremendous
strides assisting retailers and law enforcement with tracking illegal
behavior”
The partnership provides for greater information sharing to target ORC
investigations which would further support the investigative efforts of
federal, state, and local law enforcement working in partnership with LP
professionals.
“NRF has done a great job of shining a spotlight on the issue of
organized retail crime, but retailers cannot fight this problem alone,”
said Paul Jones, Global Director of Asset Protection, eBay. “Through
this partnership, NRF and eBay are putting criminals on notice that they
will no longer be able to steal from retailers and abuse the online
marketplace for profit.”
The partnership is taking a multi-tiered approach to organized crime.
The groups have agreed to:
Bring together a core group of NRF retail members and representatives
of eBay on a regular basis to discuss organized retail crime,
brainstorm best practices to prevent it, and take steps to eradicate
the activity.
Identify ways to leverage new technology, including NRF’s LERPnet and
eBay’s PROACT programs, to further assist law enforcement in
identifying and tracking organized retail crime rings.
Collaborate with the FBI to help identify crime rings that have been
responsible for stealing merchandise in bulk.
Work together on legislation to enhance Federal law enforcement
resources to combat organized retail crime and punish major offenders
through enhanced criminal penalties.
“eBay has invested in a number of new resources and is making tremendous
strides assisting retailers and law enforcement with tracking illegal
behavior,” said Joe LaRocca, Senior Asset Protection Advisor, NRF. “The
partnership between NRF and eBay will create standards and best
practices to stop criminals from fencing their stolen goods.”
Organized retail crime has long been an issue plaguing both retailers
and secondary marketplaces. In an NRF survey conducted in 2009, 92
percent of retailers said they were victimized by organized retail crime
within the past year, and nearly three-fourths (73%) also reported the
level of organized retail crime activity had increased.
About eBay Inc.
Founded in 1995 in San Jose, Calif., eBay Inc. (NASDAQ:EBAY) connects
millions of buyers and sellers globally on a daily basis through eBay,
the worlds largest online marketplace, and PayPal, which enables
individuals and businesses to securely, easily and quickly send and
receive online payments. We also reach millions through specialized
marketplaces such as StubHub, the worlds largest ticket marketplace,
and eBay Classifieds sites, which together have a presence in more than
1,000 cities around the world. For more information about the company
and our global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.
About NRF
The National Retail Federation is the worlds largest retail trade
association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and
channels of distribution including department, specialty, discount,
catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores
and grocery stores as well as the industrys key trading partners of
retail goods and services. NRF represents an industry with more than 1.6
million U.S. retail companies, more than 24 million employees - about
one in five American workers - and 2009 sales of $4.1 trillion. As the
industry umbrella group, NRF also represents more than 100 state,
national and international retail associations. www.nrf.com
Source: Business Wire