1020: Cash Isn't The Only Things Dental Thieves Steal - David Harris

Embezzlement can feel like a cash-only problem—until it isn’t. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt sits down with David Harris of Prosperident to explain what dental thieves steal besides cash, why modern payment methods create new vulnerabilities, and what behaviors can signal elevated risk inside your practice.

You’ll learn how thieves think, where they tend to steal (revenue vs. expense), why comparing collections to deposits matters, and how to reduce risk by trusting systems—not people. listen to Episode 1020 of The Best Practices Show!

Main Takeaways:

1. Cash is still a thief’s first choice, but declining cash payments force thieves to adapt to other methods of stealing.
2. If you don’t compare collections in your practice management software against bank deposits, even an unsophisticated thief can steal undetected.
3. Checks are easier to monetize than many dentists assume because banks scrutinize them less than they used to.
4. Electronic funds transfers can be redirected by a fraudster, and staff often post EFTs “blind” without confirming the money actually hit the account.
5. Virtual credit cards from insurers create added fees and theft risk because they function like prepaid card numbers that can be monetized.
6. Thieves are typically driven by either need (financial pressure) or greed (entitlement), and their behavior often changes as they steal.
7. Background checks, credit checks, and drug testing should be standardized for roles with access to money and sensitive systems.

Snippets:

00:00 Cash isn’t the only thing dental thieves steal.

05:00 “I don’t take much cash” is not a theft prevention plan.

06:40 Why thieves have adapted as cash collections decline.

08:10 How check processing changes made theft easier.

11:20 Why it’s “way easier” to steal now than 20–40 years ago.

12:30 EFTs aren’t bulletproof—and how redirecting deposits happens.

15:00 A safer EFT setup: separate account + monthly sweep + read-only access.

18:20 Virtual credit cards: why they’re bad and what to do about them.

21:40 Thieves are driven by need or greed.

24:00 Why access determines whether theft happens on revenue or expense.

25:10 “Compare collections against deposits” as a non-negotiable control.

28:00 Why “nice,” religious, long-tenured, or small-town staff can still steal.

29:20 Red flags: working alone early/late, weekend “catch-up,” and avoiding vacation.

31:00 How an absence exposed a $600,000 theft.

32:10 Why consultants can trigger sudden resignations.

34:40 Background checks, credit checks, drug testing, and driving records.

37:20 A real example: “Trust systems, not people.”

40:10 Why audits should be stealthy—and why telegraphing concerns is risky.

42:50 How to contact Prosperident.

Guest Bio/Guest Resources:

David Harris is a dental-exclusive forensic investigator who has spent more than three decades investigating employee theft and embezzlement in dental practices. He works with a team that conducts forensic audits and investigations focused exclusively on dentistry, helping practice owners identify risk and implement systems to reduce opportunity for theft.

Resources mentioned:

1. Prosperident: www.prosperident.com
2. Phone: 888-398-2327
3. Episode 1013: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/1013-the-6-divisions-of-duties-to-prevent/id1223838218?i=1000751483020

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

1. The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/
2. Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
3. Upcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/
4. Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/
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