Anyone or any company that has ever had racks of merchandise disappear either from the shop floor or the stockroom, been burned by bad cheques, credit card or account fraud, will know that it is imperative to have security checks and balances in place on the average day. But with the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup just over a year away, and not a month to go till the Confederations Cup kicks off, soccer-lovers the world over are set to descend upon South Africa. And with it, an abundance of opportunities for schemes, scams and syndicates. So now is the time to tighten security to Fort Knox-like proportions. Retail Risk 2009 takes place in Cape Town this Thursday, and in Johannesburg next week, for those wanting to find out what to expect from the pending onslaught of tourists and the potential for fraudsters. The tournaments are expected to bring a major boost to local businesses and the economy, so don't lose out on this windfall because you were too blinded by the prize to notice hands in your till. Know your risks - be prepared.

Shan Radcliffe, Retail editor retailnews@bizcommunity.com Responses to this column welcomed in our new online editor's column archive. Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net.