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Original poster

Civil recovery (shop lifting)

18 replies

UndertheCedartree · 26/09/2022 10:41

So, I've got myself in a bit of a pickle.

I take a lot of strong medication and have other conditions that basically means I'm not with it half the time. I get so easily distracted from what I'm doing. I'm almost surprised this hasn't happened before...I walked out of a shop without paying for 2 items.

I got caught and banned from shop which was all really humiliating. Any way the shop has now sent me a letter from a debt collector trying to get me to pay £150. The total of the items was under £10. I'm on a low income and what with everything else, I can't afford this. Can I appeal it atall or do I just need to suck it up? I did take the items without paying, after all 😳

OP posts:
AllThatHoopla · 26/09/2022 10:47

What are they say it's for? Can you post a picture of the letter?

Is it a big chain shop or an independent shop?

FasterthanBolt · 26/09/2022 10:59

If it is medical conditions and medication that caused this, could you get a letter from your GP/Consultant explaining that you are unwell and this was a genuine mistake? Did you pay for the items when you were caught or did the shop keep them? I don't understand why they are charging you £150.

dementedpixie · 26/09/2022 11:02

What on earth is the £150 for?
I dont see the justification for it; sounds like they are trying to extort money out of you

blockpavingismynightmare · 26/09/2022 11:04

Were the police involved OP? Did you get a caution? What is the name of the shop please?

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 26/09/2022 17:17

AllThatHoopla · 26/09/2022 10:47

What are they say it's for? Can you post a picture of the letter?

Is it a big chain shop or an independent shop?

Letter attached. £150 is for 'security costs'. Items taken were just over £10 sorry not under as I said in OP.

Civil recovery (shop lifting)
OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 26/09/2022 17:18

FasterthanBolt · 26/09/2022 10:59

If it is medical conditions and medication that caused this, could you get a letter from your GP/Consultant explaining that you are unwell and this was a genuine mistake? Did you pay for the items when you were caught or did the shop keep them? I don't understand why they are charging you £150.

This is what I'm hoping. The shop kept the items.

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 26/09/2022 17:19

blockpavingismynightmare · 26/09/2022 11:04

Were the police involved OP? Did you get a caution? What is the name of the shop please?

No police involved. It was in Sainsbury's.

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 26/09/2022 17:19

BurscoughBooths · 26/09/2022 11:05

Thank you, I'll read this.

OP posts:
blockpavingismynightmare · 26/09/2022 17:20

I think they are being unnecessarily harsh. Ignore

Glitteratitar · 26/09/2022 17:23

blockpavingismynightmare · 26/09/2022 17:20

I think they are being unnecessarily harsh. Ignore

No they’re not. Shoplifters need to be deterred somehow (I know that doesn’t apply to you OP. I would agree with others that you should get a letter from a GP if you can).

And definitely don’t ignore.

KikoLemons · 26/09/2022 17:30

Maybe suggest a repayment plan? £12 a month - it would show willing.
Nothing to lose by appealing though.
It may be that you'll be let off paying but shops lose so much from shoplifting that they may push it. They do have to pay hefty security costs and it doesn't seem unreasonable they should try to recoup those costs from people who make it necessary to employ so much security.

If you refuse they might take it further - and costs would increase.
I feel sorry OP - and I've done the same myself with a bad migraine - and just luckily not got caught. (Went back later and paid).

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 26/09/2022 17:32

Glitteratitar · 26/09/2022 17:23

No they’re not. Shoplifters need to be deterred somehow (I know that doesn’t apply to you OP. I would agree with others that you should get a letter from a GP if you can).

And definitely don’t ignore.

Show quote history

I will do this, thank you

OP posts:
Letsnotargue · 26/09/2022 17:35

Having looked through that CAB link it seems a bit dodgy that they’re claiming a nice round £150 for costs. The link suggests that if it’s for staff/investigation costs then they should only claim what it’s actually cost them, and not a fixed amount.

I would respond to them as advised in the link and deny that you owe them that money. You could ask what that cost is for, because you also have the option of offering them part payment if you think it is appropriate in the circumstances.

If you send them medical information without the proper disclaimer it may look like you are accepting that the money might be owed, but asking for a reduction/cancellation for your specific circumstances.

I know the service from them can be patchy depending on capacity, but from that link it seems like CAB would be a good place for a chat.

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 26/09/2022 17:37

KikoLemons · 26/09/2022 17:30

Maybe suggest a repayment plan? £12 a month - it would show willing.
Nothing to lose by appealing though.
It may be that you'll be let off paying but shops lose so much from shoplifting that they may push it. They do have to pay hefty security costs and it doesn't seem unreasonable they should try to recoup those costs from people who make it necessary to employ so much security.

If you refuse they might take it further - and costs would increase.
I feel sorry OP - and I've done the same myself with a bad migraine - and just luckily not got caught. (Went back later and paid).

I think I will try and appeal and if that doesn't work then it will have to be a repayment plan.

Oh, gosh it's horrible isn't it. I got distracted looking at school socks and they didn't have my DD's size so my brain thought I had no more business there and I left holding a kid's book and magazine! 😔

OP posts:
Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 26/09/2022 17:41

Letsnotargue · 26/09/2022 17:35

Having looked through that CAB link it seems a bit dodgy that they’re claiming a nice round £150 for costs. The link suggests that if it’s for staff/investigation costs then they should only claim what it’s actually cost them, and not a fixed amount.

I would respond to them as advised in the link and deny that you owe them that money. You could ask what that cost is for, because you also have the option of offering them part payment if you think it is appropriate in the circumstances.

If you send them medical information without the proper disclaimer it may look like you are accepting that the money might be owed, but asking for a reduction/cancellation for your specific circumstances.

I know the service from them can be patchy depending on capacity, but from that link it seems like CAB would be a good place for a chat.

Yes, I've read it and I agree with what you say. It says on the back of the letter that £150 is pursued for members of the public so looks like they are just claiming a fixed amount. I'll give CAB a call tomorrow.

Thanks for all the advice.

OP posts:
WalkingThroughTreacle · 26/09/2022 17:55

How did they get your name and address? Assuming you gave them freely at the time of the offense, was it clearly explained to you that your details were being collected for the possible reason of claiming civil damages and that they might be shared with third parties such as the debt collection agency? Did they give you the option of police involvement instead or did they just railroad you into this?

Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 26/09/2022 18:45

WalkingThroughTreacle · 26/09/2022 17:55

How did they get your name and address? Assuming you gave them freely at the time of the offense, was it clearly explained to you that your details were being collected for the possible reason of claiming civil damages and that they might be shared with third parties such as the debt collection agency? Did they give you the option of police involvement instead or did they just railroad you into this?

They asked me for my name and address and proof of it. I was threatened with police involvement if I didn't do this. No, they didn't say anything about civil damages or sharing my data. I think I signed something to say I understood I'm banned from the shop. I wasn't given the option of police involvement, just told if they have to get police involved then I would be kept for hours (I needed to pick my DD up from school so this worried me). It was awful, actually, he kept saying I'd stolen things that I hadn't, said things were from the shop (my lunch bag with lunch in) but staff ended up telling him it wasn't from there.

OP posts:
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