To succeed in today's competitive marketplace, a company must take preventative measures to minimize employee dishonesty and malfeasance which greatly impact bottom line profits.

Data Quest investigators, also referred to as "spotters", make strategic cash transactions which are designed to detect instances of employee theft and other violations of policy and procedures at the point of sale. Techniques such as exact cash drop purchases and open drawer (add-on) buys are used to identify cash mishandling and dishonesty.

If violations are detected, Data Quest will recommend or implement whatever actions are necessary, including interview and statement taking.

By hiring Data Quest to perform integrity verification inspections, you are also being proactive in your efforts to be compliant with the law. For example, if any wrongdoing occurs at your location (e.g., serving to minors, serving intoxicated patrons, etc.) and your liquor license is in jeopardy of being revoked, Data Quest's written reports will prove your proactive efforts of being compliant and responsible.

As with all services, Data Quest stands behind the information gathered and is available for testimony in any criminal or civil proceeding. The agency is experienced and successful in union arbitrations.

Data Quest's detailed covert analysis into bar and nightclub operations provide information about the following areas:

• POS Interaction
• Cash Handling Procedures
• Freebies
• No Sales
• Voids
• Under-Ringing
• Pouring Procedures
• Drinking On Duty
• ID Procedures
• Over-serving (Intoxicated Patrons)
• Security Presence
• Door/Crowd Control

Data Quest's investigators, posing as typical patrons, order the buffet with nothing additional that would make the check unique in any way. The investigators issue exact cash payment for the check total plus gratuity and wait to observe the server who collects payment. Once the payment is collected, the investigators depart the premises. The transaction information (check number, check time, cash payment amount) is reported to the client so that the sale can be reviewed to ensure that it was finalized properly. This test ensures that a server is not reissuing (also known as "swinging") checks. For example, in a hotel environment, Data Quest's Buffet Audit often identifies dishonest servers. When reviewed, the investigator's check has been charged to another patron's guest room (the check had been reissued) and the investigator's cash has disappeared.

Data Quest's investigators perform strategic cash transactions, including exact cash drops and open drawer buys, to detect instances of employee theft and dishonesty at the point of sale. The investigators may place large orders to ensure that the cashier is not "under-ringing" or serving above the legal limit (e.g., serving more than (2) alcoholic beverages per person, etc.).

Data Quest's investigators perform strategic cash transactions, including exact cash drops, open drawer buys and quick buys (no time to wait for change and/or a receipt), to detect instances of employee theft and dishonesty at the point of sale. The investigators can also turn in "found" gift cards and/or cash to test the cashier's integrity.

Data Quest's investigator parks a vehicle in a parking facility for a predetermined amount of time. Information such as claim ticket number, ticket color, entrance time, exit time and cash amount paid are submitted to the client the following business day. This information enables the client to review the transaction to ensure that the cashier had finalized the sale correctly.

Investigator's strategic cash sale: The investigator will intentionally not validate a ticket and issue a cash payment for the full charge upon departure. The client then reviews the transaction to verify that the parking claim ticket was not:

• Validated after the investigator's departure, which reduced the charge, and the cashier kept the cash difference.
• Reissued to another customer and the cashier kept the investigator's entire cash payment.
• Replaced by a fake ticket so that the sale did not have to be recorded through the company's system.