Good evening, I tell you my case or the one of such a big mistake in my life, I take an article in M ​​& S for less than 10 pounds, the security of the store takes me through a back door and tells me that I can not go back to the store , pay for the product taken, all this without the intervention of the police, sign a document called Civil Recovery / Violation Notification System in which you tell me again that I can not go to any MS shop, and that DWF will be put in contact for the payment of a formal demand (does not specify the amount). After a week of this, I received a letter from DWF requesting a payment of 85 pounds for security costs in the next 14 days. Why not pay this bill? If I do not, can I have legal consequences, a seize or be on the list of defaulters? I'm very worried about what might happen, I hope someone can help me with this.

I was in a rush for a charity event, which the irony of the whole situation. I didn't have the change for the second set of chocolates (£2) I just walked out with them. I was taken into a small room and after being given a talk on not doing it again I wasn't banned or given anything to sign, as I was told it wasn't worth the hassle given the extent of the items, and was just given a verbal warning. However on a paper they wanted my address, will I be getting any fines in the mail, or third party fines? If so would I have to pay it?

A couple of days ago, I walked into asda with the intention of taking 2 chewing gums from a 45p packet and I did, I also stuck it down my trousers. The security guard caught me and took me to a room and made me sign a letter saying I'm banned from asda, but told me that's the end of it and nothing else will happen. Today I got a letter from dwf saying I have to pay £125 as some civil matter and it's nothing to do with any legal action asda had taken or may take. Do I actually have to pay this as I was promised nothing else would happen and paying dwf doesn't seem right as the matter is between me and asda over a 5 minute interaction. I know I am in the wrong but I'm just wondering do I have to pay this before I do. I'm 16 living in Brent, London.

Hello, I was at Sainsbury's pharmacy a few weeks back, whilst there I picked up some washing tablets. Whilst waiting for my medication I recieved a phone call to say to immediately get to the hospital as my dad was in a bad way. I didn't think and just ran out (washing tablets under arm). Did not even think about them, security called me back I explained what had happened, they took me into a room and said I was barred etc. I then paid for my item and left the store. They said no further action I just could not go into any store. Now a couple of weeks ago I recieved a letter from DWF saying I have to pay £150 for security. 6 days later I recieved another one basically saying I would end up in court. I'm absolutely terrified and don't know what to do. I lost my dad and I am also terminally ill myself. I'm doing nothing but cry It even stated on the letter value of goods stolen £0 :/ Please help!

Got caught in Sainsbury's for goods that amounted to around £5, was made to return the goods (in completely resalable condition) and was banned from stores and thought that would be it. However, now received a letter from DWF stating that I need to pay £150 for security costs however this was not disclosed at the time. I panicked and showed them my real ID with my mum's address as opposed to a student one/credit card, but they completely butchered my surname which is different from my mum's anyway if that helps? Just looking for some advice as I've read up on the forums saying to ignore the letters and that DWF have no real power in this, and was wondering if anyone had gone through this process from start to finish where DWF had given up?

A couple of weeks ago I was accused of fraud in Asda, taken to a room and the police were called. They said it was fraud that I had been buying stuff that was cheaper elsewhere to get their asda price guarantee vouchers, then returning the items after using the vouchers (Nothing in t&cs about returning goods). When the police arrived asda staff/security tried to make out the vouchers were fake, that I'd made them myself. Not true, they were legit ones and police said not fraud, no crime committed and I was let go. (they took all the apg's I had on me and my asda gift cards, and banned from all asda stores) A week or so later and I got a letter from DWF saying they are working on asda's behalf asking for a sum of £125 for "security costs". (the goods stolen/damaged and cash stolen amounts were £0) I've read other threads on here about DWF, but nothing recent. I have so far ignored the letter (6 days since I received it), but thought about emailing them to ask for a breakdown of the security costs. Is this a worthwhile thing to pursue? I'm in Scotland too, if that makes any legal difference. Thanks in advance. For clarification it was Asda who took the vouchers and gift cards, NOT the police. And it was asda that banned me.

Hi there folks. Im new to this forum and in dire need of some support. Im a guy in my mid 30s. Around 10 months ago, I seperated from my partner of 11 years and 3 kids. I've been going through a hard and very emotional time and the doctor has prescribed me with anti-depressants to help me to deal with anxiety and some bad thoughts but have recently been turning a bit of a corner I feel. I spent 8 months living with some relatives and the kids were coming to stay with me. Needless to say that this was the hardest time I've ever went through in my life. I bought a house in the last few months and have been starting from scratch and have been struggling financially of late. This is not to excuse my behaviour but I'm adding it as information so that if any of you do find the time to respond that you might be able to give a more informed piece of advice. I went to Sainsburys where I live in Northern Ireland and purchased some items that I meeded for the kids' beds. I returned the day after, lifted the same items off the shelves and brought them back to customer services and got a refund for them. This is the first fraudulent action. I returned yesterday and did the same this time with a different item. Both items together came to about £50. On the dame visit i also lifted some other smaller items totalling about £35. As I left the store, the security guard ran after me and brought me into a room. They told me that they had been watching me and asked had I done this before. I was honest and told them that I had (the first occasion). I asked to just pay for the stuff but they told me that it was at the discretion of the manager. He came down and I told him my situation and offered to pay in full and he refused to accept that and phoned the police. The police arrived and took statements from the manager and the security guards and then took me to a police car where they took a statement from me. I was very upset naturally. The police then said that they would send the file off to the Public Prosecuation Service who will then decide to prosecute or give a caution. I have a completely clean criminal record and this genuinely is out of character for me. I also work with children and I am so afraid that I will lose my job because if my actions. Can anyone give any advice about what I can do now or what may happen to me? Please don't judge me on this. I feel ashamed and that I have let my family down. I appreciate all of the support you can offer. Thank you.

Hi All I have had two letters now from DWF debt collection agency saying they are acting for santander. I bought a car in 2007 and paid for it, last payment in 2009 they have sent me a letter saying i owe santander 2,666.75 ( which was more than the car at 2,300??) that means i never paid fpor the car. I paid every month!! i would not still be driving round in a car i didnt pay for it I cant prove it as i have moved three times since and after so long i have no paperwork. my old bank account no longer exists. shall i ignore it or what shall i do. have never known someone send me anything like this . it was 2007 to 2009 i paid for it?? thank you all carol ps i ddefinately paid for the car. i still have it. if i hadnt paid for it i would have got rid of it!!!

Hi there im hoping someone can help me. A few months ago, I did a silly thing and took 1 plaster from a damaged box in sainsbury's. I was caught and came back into the store. They took my details even though the manager knew i was sincerely apologetic and HE EVEN SAID NO LETTERS WOULD BE SENT TO MY HOUSE. They said im banned for life and that i should leave. No police were called. They even let me appeal the ban and their security guard has been LETTING ME SHOP IN THE STORE, SO THE BAN HAS BEEN LIFTED! 2 months later i received a threatening letter from DWF requesting £154.40! Im just a 16 year old boy who couldnt afford for his family to find out so I did all the wrong possible things and did the following: Called up DWF. Begged them to close this case (they said no ) Accepted the offer of installments of £30 a month. So far i have paid 90 so 2 payments left. Was this the right thing to do? Do they actually take people to court? I actually cannot afford to pay anymore money, would they take me to court if i stopped paying halfway? Now they see me as gullible i dunno what to do? i cant afford to keep up these payments! What should i have done and what should i do next? if i pay the rest will they try come back and ask for more ? Any help is appreciated

I am very worried In October my partner was dismissed gross misconduct. He was accused of company theft stealing a large amount of money (he worked for Sainsburys) he was investigated by his employer numerous interviews with a witness in the room taking notes. CCTV was shown of him attending to his duties this is the point where he was accused of stealing (May I add he did not do what was accused) Eventually it was determined that they had to dismiss with immediate action gross misconduct. At the time of dismissal they stated that police would be involved. No police have been in contact with my partner since his dismissal in October. A couple of weeks ago he received a phone call from DWF the lady gave her name and reason for calling was to notify him of a debt collection for the sum of £1400 she said his employer had contacted them to recover the money. She even asked my partner on the phone if he did actually commit the theft which I think is extremely unprofessional and wrong. Are they actually allowed to ask such a question to him over the phone? He of course denied it as he did not commit the theft. She stated that a police officer had been involved with the investigation which is completely false, he told her this. We still have all his notes taking during the investigation with employer. No mention of police officer in the notes my partner has never met said police officer. At this point she became confused didn't know what to say. She said that she would have to call his employer to speak as things weren't adding up. She then added that he should expect a letter in the immediate future. It's been about 3 weeks since this phone call and still no letter. I have been worried to death it's been a hard time (Christmas) I have two children as well. I am frightened to death of bailiffs turning up at my address. Do you think we should contact the lady who called from DWF, still have her number. Any advice, guidance appreciated.

This has just happened to me! Diid you pay DWF? im terrified. the police believed me that it was a genuine mistake so why am I receiving these scary letters from DWf. I didnt even leave the shop but CAB have told me I should pay the £150-seems ridiculous for a letter saying 'amount of goods taken- £0, amount of damage - £0 and security costs £150 Please help me I am not sleeping and do not want to go to court! After a self-scanning mistake (£3 vegetables unpaid on a £20 shop) the police were called and believed me that it was a mistake. There was no mention of RLP to pay but now sainsburys have banned me from their stores for life (a joke!?) and DWF are sending me letters asking for £150 or they will take me to court. I am terrified and not sleeping. The letter seems ridiculous as I didnt even leave the shop with any 'stolen' goods- the security stopped me before the exit doors. The police also didnt fine me or caution me, just wrote me a stop and search note. Can DWF claim this money? I cannot have a criminal record and do not want to go to court for a self-scanning error. I will never use the self-scanning tills again and feel badly treated by sainsburys. DWF are real solicitors so can they legally ask for these costs? Surely sainsburys didnt lose any money on my behalf or have to pay the security guards extra to rudely interrogate me. Also surely the supermarket has no right to retain my details or pass them on? Please help put my mind at rest. thanks

My friend and I are 17 years old students with no income of our own. We have been sent demands from DWF solicitors for £150 security cost each for shoplifting at Sainsburys. We were told to respond within 7 days to avoid further action. We were really threatened by the letter and I looked up information on CAB website which says we could make an offer, of less than the asked amount, for full and final payment as long as we didn’t accept liability. So I asked DWP if we could do this and they said no we needed to pay it all. I have since seen this forum and wish I’d seen it earlier. Neither of us have admitted liability directly but I am wondering if our communication with DWP asking about making payments means we can’t now say: " Any liability to you or any company you claim to represent is denied." " I also refuse you permission to contact any other third party." We thought the £150 was a fine and we had to pay it. Can you advise me on what we should do next please.

Hi all. I've done numerous google searches about this and I keep getting led back to this forum so I hope someone can offer me a bit of advice? Basically my mum got banned for shoplifting in Sainsburys. Now we have a letter from DWF (which I was expecting because I started googling as soon as she told me what had happened) and their breakdown is as follows: Value of goods stolen: £35.15 Value of goods damaged: £0.00 Value of cash stolen: £0.00 Security costs: £150.00 Amount now due: £185.15 From reading the other posts on here, I know that most of the time people are advised to ignore these letters or write back denying liability. My concern is the "Value of goods stolen" part. All of the other letters I've seen have "£0.00" written there but hers doesn't. Should I still go the ignore/deny liability route or do I need to do something else? (PS. I am handling this for her as she is really not capable.)

Recieved a letter regarding DWF and a fine to be paid I don't know the name of the person but it's my address What should I do I don't want anyone knocking on my door

Hi all. I had a phone call this morning from Credit Assistance, the bod told me it was regarding a Santander loan and could he have my address to confirm it was me who he was talking to. He got mighty miffed when I informed him I will only deal in writing and that I wanted my tel no removed from their list as it would only waste their time trying to talk to me. He then said about a letter they had sent (not received letter yet). The story is that I volountary surrendered a car about 4-5 weeks ago as I am on ESA and not able to keep payments up. It was about 38 mths into a 60 mth agreement. It was a fixed sum loan agreement. I have not had anything from Santander saying they were refering this to a DCA or anything, but I have changed address about 18 mths ago (which I told them about) so they may possibly have sent a letter to my old address. Any ideas what I should do about this? or shall I just wait and see what turns up in the post.

Hi there, I have a slightly different issue with DWF than the other posts that I have read this morning: I reused the same nectar voucher at Sainburys several times and didn't put it into the self serve pay machine. I was subsequently taken to the back of the store with staff and security and had to wait for 2 hours for the police to arrive where they let me go. I received 2 letters from DWF asking to pay £150 which I assumed was for security costs having already read these forums after the incident. Looking back to the first letter it doesn't sate what the £150 is for as the value of goods stolen, damaged etc and the security costs section on the breakdown all read £0. I just wanted to move on from this and put it behind me so I paid the £150 so that I wouldn't have to deal with these people any more. However I have since received another letter from DWF, quoting a different reference number, s aying that I owe them £1000. This £1000 is supposedly the value of cash stolen according to their letter. Obviously I cannot pay this, I only paid the £150 as I just wanted the issue to go away. I have the first letter from them with clearly states that the value of cash stolen is £0, but due to the excessive amount they are now asking for I am worried. Any advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Hello every one, this site has been of so much help. My wife also received on of these letters and i have been consoling her ever since, as she is very upset about it. I have been scouring the internet for answers and came to this forum and have read all the numerous accounts of this also happening to many others. The story is the same as others on here with regards to the letter and it's content, the difference being my wife was an employee of Sainsbury's of 13years (Team Leader) and forgot to pay for some DVD's as she got a distressing call at the time she was to check-out (family related) and totally forgot to pay for the items she had. She admitted that she forgot to pay and explained why. She was detained by the profit loss manager & security till the police arrived. She was then taken by the police & profit loss manager to our house which was searched, once they fully searched our house, to which nothing was found she was taken to the local police station for an interview, which should have only been a couple of hours or so. She was kept for 16 hours overnight in the same uniform, as they said they were busy and could not interview her right away. When they finally did interview her it was in the next day afternoon, and she was given a simple caution and released. she had the usual company disciplinary meetings and after the 2nd one was sacked for theft. we receive a letter from DWf saying that we owe them on the behalf of their client Sainsburys Supermarkets Ltd the sum of £820.45 for Detection & Apprehension. i have read all the advise given to others on this forum about sending the one- line letter denying liability after the 2nd letter comes, which i will be doing. Just thought i would share our story with those who have undergone this or who are undergoing this at the moment, it makes a big difference to know that we were not the only ones this has happened to. When relating to our story, i think others can think themselves fortunate they do not work for Sainsburys, because the way they treat staff seems to be even worse than how they treat customers. Please let us know if we have to take a different course of action, than the one suggested to other members etc? Thanks.

Hi everyone, I'm new here, but never did I think I would be in the situation where I would need help. I was shopping in Sainsburys on the 16th Nov and myself and my partner brought about £60 worth of items with the hand hold self scanner, anyway, after walking through the exit, two of the guards grabbed us and said ''I know what you did''. Took me to the back room, and accused us of stealing a tin of roses as my partner put it in the trolley without my knowledge simple mistake,, in the shock of it all i must of dropped the receipt outside the store,, as the guards wanted it and i could not find,, they said well it was in your hand i said well its not now is it we were escorted through the store one in front and one guard behind,, I was shocked, in hindsight, I know I was on autopilot mode as my partner had paid for all the items and had pushed the trolley out of the store I explained that to the guard, but he wasn't having it i said theres been some mistake and offered to pay for the item, and looking directly over me in an intimidating manner whilst we were seated and he said ''you purposely placed items in the trolley without scanning them and we have already called the police,,, he then started the previous wk shopping where myself and my partner had been "randomly tested" at the scan and go tills but through a fault of the scanner everything had to be redone through a normal check point and it came to £227 as we had brought alot more than normal as we were getting ready for xmas & it was my mothers birthday but he said there was only £97 on the scanner before it went through which i replied thats incorrect the guard then said well this is you nector card isnt it? I said well i used mine to activate the scanner but after the confusion at the till point we used my partners and she paid,, but on his paper work only my details were present,, he said i was lying and that i could explain it to the police he and the manager then said all your visit to sainsburys comes to 60-80 per wk thats pretty consistent and by this point i had enough of there manners, i replied with well its called sticking to a budget which he then said well he cant manage that consistence..i said thats not my fault The police turned up whilst we waited in there holding room with the door open and staff continued to walk past very embarrassing for the both of us,,,, after the store discussed the matter with the police came into say they would service me a a penalty notice of £100 and i said to both of us? the officer said no its been treated as u were working together and i said well put it in my name then which the officer did,,,, Anyway, they gave us a form, banning us and let us go. To be honest, I was glad to get out and didn't care if I was banned for life. we were also refunded the amount we had paid but even then i still offered to pay bcus i really didnt wanna have to go shopping again that day , (which i did to tesco and spent £80) then when they refunded the money they gave us £4 to much as we had used a coupon so this proves there tils can not be accurate but on the 21st (the letter was dated the 19th 3 days after the incident) we both get a letter from DWF stating: Dear Sirs (seriously? as my partner is a women) Our Client: Sainsburys Supermarkets Balance Due: £150 This sum is broken down as follows: Value of goods stolen £0.00 Value of goods damaged £0.00 Value of cash stolen £0.00 Security costs £150.00 my first question is why have me and my partner got a letter each when the guards and police dealt with it as a joint offence and secondly is this scare tactics? will there be more letters with threats of civil actions? Please Advise guys! Many Thanks

Hi everyone, I'm new here, I've been lurking around for some time (it's always good to learn from all the smart people on here) but never did I think I would be in the situation where I would need help. I was shopping in Sainsburys a few weeks ago and brought about £25 worth of items, anyway, after walking through the exit, one of the guards grabbed me and said ''I know what you did''. Took me to the back room, looked at my receipt and apparently one of the items did not scan, I was shocked, in hindsight, I know I was on autopilot mode and if the item doesn't scan, the self checkout alerts me via 'unexpected item' response, so I carried on unaware. I explained that to the guard, but he wasn't having it, and looking directly over me in an intimidating manner whilst I was seated and said ''you purposely covered the barcode with your hard and waived it over the scanner!'' At this point, I wanted to headbutt him, but had to control myself. Anyway, they gave me a form, banning me and let me go. To be honest, I was glad to get out and didn't care if I was banned for life. Today, I get a letter from DWF stating: Dear Sirs Our Client: Sainsburys Supermarkets Balance Due: £150 This sum is broken down as follows: Value of goods stolen £0.00 Value of goods damaged £0.00 Value of cash stolen £0.00 Security costs £150.00 From reading this forum, I would venture to ignore them, however I have a few issues, I am moving house next week and then relocating the following week again, but this time down south, so how do I respond back to their letters if I don't know what they send, what are their timeframes in sending letters? Since I don't want or need a royal mail re-direction service. I also have a new job as a 'Immigration Officer' and was wondering if this would affect it, I have to hold a high level of security clearance. Please Advise guys! Many Thanks!!!

I have read the other threads relating to DWF and Sainsburys but I feel that my letter is slightly different so please feel free to comment as appropriately . . . . I have today received a letter from DWF following an incident at Sainsburys which was resolved by a police community resolution order. The letter from DWF asks for a balance for £150.00 to be paid within seven days "to avoid further action" but then beneath the Balance Due line is written: "The sum is broken down as follows: Value of goods stolen £0.00 Value of goods damaged £0.00 Value of cash stolen £0.00 Security costs £0.00 Amount now due [in bold] £[blank]" The incident was settled at the time with Sainsburys and the Police with nothing outstanding. I am aware that the general advice is to wait for two or three letters then send a "I deny any liability" letter but what should I do in this case where there appears to be no amount due? Thank you for your advice.

Hi, A couple of weeks ago my wife was caught shoplifting at Sainsbury's. The police were called in, took her to the police station and she received a caution. We're still talking about it with me trying my best to re-assure her and make her put it behind her. To not worry. What's done is done. A few days ago she received a letter from DWF demanding £150 followed by another one the following day which was essentially the exact same letter as the previous day's one. I have read the posts on this forum about RLP and their tactics and, specifically, the post about DWF and Sainsbury's. Unfortunately I cannot post a link to it as there is a 10 post minimum requirement before links can be posted. I drafted a one line response which my wife signed and posted: Dear Sirs, Your ref: XXX\XXXXXXXX With regards to your letter dated XXX, I deny any liability to you or your client. Your faithfully, What we did not do is get a proof of posting when we sent the letter. We just dropped it in the letterbox. That's fine though because she can send another reply to the inevitable second letter from DWF when it arrives and ensure that she gets a proof of posting this time. My question relates to how to deal with the phone calls from DWF? No phone calls yet but I do anticipate them at some point next week. I mostly work from home and have cleared my diary for all of next week so that I, and not my wife, answers the phone and deals with these people. Would it be fair for me to switch on my dictaphone, advise them that I am recording the phone conversation and then tell them that any further phone calls from them will be treated as harassment which may result in legal action by us against them?