Hi all I've received my first solicitors letter from Mortimer Clarke re an alleged debt with Cabot which according to them originally links back to Sainsbury's bank. I'm not the best with finances. I'm off work on ESA with Bipolar/Depression/Anxiety since 1996. Most of my mail gets thrown away unopened. I know this is bad. I've checked my equifax credit report and it shows a default with Cabot credit management group on 15/03/13. There is nothing on my equifax or noddle credit file mentioning Sainsbury’s at all. Any contact re sainsbury’s financial products I’ve had in the past would have been well over 6 years ago. The last contact I had with them was around 2009. Yes I may have received letters but never acknowledged or replied. Neither have I been on the phone to them. I’ve been given until 16/05/17 to respond to mortimer clarke solicitors who have been ‘instructed to issue a claim’ by cabot. I’m not sure if the debt exists and if it did, whether it is statute barred. What should I do? Many thanks

I was caught shoplifting from a Sainsbury's earlier in the week, huge mistake I know. Does this mean I can't order my groceries online from Sainsbury's too?

Hi all Today I had a moment of insanity, wanted to buy some pants for my daughter, thought £5 was a bit pricey for one pair of pants for a baby and added another pair to the hanger, went to the checkout with my other items paid (only for 1 pair of pants as store operative did not realise what I had done) then left the shop. On leaving the shop saw the security guard and a staff member speaking to him who then immediately looked at me - but no one tried to stop me.. I immediately regret what I did and can honestly say it will never happen again. I would happily go back and pay for the item which is only worth £5. I have a history of anxiety and have not stopped panicking since I left the store. Worried the police are going to turn up and arrest me - that I’ll go to jail and my 3 month old baby will be taken away from me.. I can’t believe I was so careless and stupid over £5! Anyway question is - will the above happen? Am I likely to have the police turn up or will I get a letter with a fine in a few weeks if anything is to come of it? I don’t even know if it was just coincidence the staff member was looking at me while I exited. Surely if it was suspected I would have been stopped then and there? I know it was wrong it won’t happen again just looking for advice Many thanks

I am beyond mortified. I am in the middle of a very turbulent time in my life, my depression is all over the place . Today I had period pain, I went to Sainsburys to get some medication. The pharmacy was closed. I hovered in the section for ages before I STUPIDLY decided to take the medication off the shelf of the closed pharmacy. I then panicked and left the store. I wasn't stopped, but they would definitely have me on camera taking the medication from the closed pharmacy. I don't know if it is clear I still had it in my possession when I left, but they may also be able to see my car registration. I am freaking out. I want to go back into the store and return the items and profusely apologise for this out of character behaviour, but I also know this could give them a reason to press charges... Someone please give me some advice, I am a wreck. The pills cost about £2.60 if it means anything...

Hello, I just found this site and it looks like a godsend as I was recently banned from Sainsbury for shoplifting items to the value of £20. the security guard took my name and address and gave me a standard banning letter. I paid for the items fully and was lead out of the store by the deputy manager. It was a shaming and stupid act, after a day from hell during a rock bottom period of my life.I now understand the meaning of the term "Cry for help". Anyway No police where called at the time, and I therefore didn't receive a caution or spot fine demand. I then read the standard banning letter carefully and it had a paragraph about Sainsbury's civil recovery policy of sharing my details with their partners in case of loss to the store and that I may be contacted to recover that loss . I spoke to the same deputy manager about this who told me that as I paid for the items there would be no further money recovery action, but reading on this forum about others experiences, I am concerned that I may get a further demand to pay for security staff time cost. furthermore. i don't know how/ where my details will be shared and if it will affect my future employment prospects, or whether I will be included on a criminal or dishonesty register accessable by others, and if this incident would invalidate my existing home/ car insurance policies. On this matter , what should I answer on furute insurance applications to quesions like " Do you have any non motoring criminal convictions? "There are a number of issues raised here and i would be grateful for any guidence please.

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?

Hi All, I visited Sainsbury's Taunton last week and on returning to my car found a Parking Charge Notice. I thought the car park had a 2 hour limit ( we were less than an hour) but on double checking the signs it states you must pay for parking and get a refund from Sainsbury's. For a windscreen ticket (Notice To Driver) please answer the following questions.... 1 The date of infringement? 11/09/2017 2 Have you yet appealed to the parking company yet? [No] if you have then please post up whatever you sent and how you sent it and the date you sent it, suitably redacted. [as a PDF- follow the upload has there been a response? please post it up as well, suitably redacted. [as a PDF- follow the upload guide] If you haven't appealed yet - ,......... have you received a Notice To Keeper? (NTK) [must be received by you between 29-56 days] what date is on it No Did the NTK provide photographic evidence? 3 Did the NTK mention Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (PoFA) [Y/N?] 4 If you appealed after receiving the NTK, did the parking company give you any information regarding the further appeals process? [it is well known that parking companies will reject any appeal whatever the circumstances] 5 Who is the parking company? Horizon Parking 6. where exactly [Carpark name and town] did you park? Sainsburys Taunton I wonder if anyone can help? Thanks in advance. Dave

Hi I'm desperately seeking help please. Ex wife and me took out a loan with Sainsburys Bank in 2008. It was for her failed business but as she was self employed and I had a good credit rating, we took it out in joint names. We divorced in 2011 and she was supposed to carry on making the payments as she had the better income. Defaulted in Jan 2012 and nothing has been paid since then. Was disputed formally in December 2012 by me - wrote to Westcot who said they would provide agreement and never did (I have that letter - their account was placed on hold until the agreement was sent and they never sent it). Fast forward 4 years - October 2016. I received a letter from Sainsburys advising they had sold loan to Cabot. Also received a letter from Cabot asking me to make contact with them. Wrote back to Cabot advising loan was in dispute and they have provided a v poor copy of agreement (photocopy of photocopy) and historic statement of account. Both Sainsburys and Cabot have now written to me to say they think agreement is enforceable and Cabot have just sent me a further letter asking me to call them. Ex wife has just buried her head in the sand and although she is the one with money, she is ignoring all this. I work for a bank so have never had problems like this before. What should I do now? My credit file just shows one default to Cabot dated Jan 2012 Any advice would be great Thank you so much

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!

Last week I shoplifted from sainsbury's and am extremely ashamed of that. I knew I shouldn't do it and sensed something was wrong, but at that time I was very very desperate and couldn't afford buying much. It was one of the most embarrassing things in my life, I'm so glad no one I knew saw me do it. I took about 5 packs of chewing gum worth maybe £0.46 each and looked out for cameras and hid them in my pocket where I thought I was invisible. Then I went to the public toilet in the store because I genuinely had to. I walked passed the self check out machines and held a bank letter and my purse in one hand, saw a security look at them. I didn't beep and was about to exit when I heard someone calling "excuse me, miss", but didn't turn around and kept walking. Some people next to me turned around and I got tapped on the shoulder. I got walked back in and stood next to some carts with a security officer. He asked where the chewing gum is and told me not to lie, all I could say is "sorry" because I panicked. He told me to follow him and lead me to the security room with another person. He told me to sit down and asked where I put the gum. Instead of resisting, I just reached for my pocket and put everything I attempted to steal on the table. He asked if he needs to search my bags, I said I don't mind, so he didn't. He asked how old i am, and i lied saying i'm 15 but i'm 16 because i thought this would change something. they didn't ask for my name or any details but just said they normally call police or parents at this age. he said he doesnt want to see my face in the store ever again and told me to never come back, and let me go. knowing i have to go back, i can't follow his rules, telling my mum isn't an option. does anyone have anything to say? what will happen if they see me enter the store/ recognise me/ how likely is that??

Having sorted my wife's charge at Morrisons, now trying to do same with Sainsburys and Euro Car Parks. ECP sent the initial parking charge, "issued" 10th February, letter dated 16th February. Interesting thing was that there was no first name on the letter. There are two of us here at this address, my son and myself, so the person to whom it was addressed was ambiguous. In my view they had not written to me. A second letter, headed notice to keeper was dated 9th March. Again no first names, only surname. I then heard nothing until a letter from Debt Recovery Plus was received, dated 7th May. This letter was addressed to me, and headed *Notice of Intended Court Action" which of course it was not. they demanded £130, £60 more than the alleged original charge. This letter referred to a letter dated 14th April, which I had not received. Wording was curious - "If you are liable for this charge and do not pay the full amount...." and threatening to pass a file to the creditors solicitor with a recommendation to commence court action. I replied to this letter saying, I had not received a pcn, nor a notice to keeper, nor a notice of keeper liability. I disputed the "debt", said they had not complied with the BPA Code of Practice, told them I would be writing to the landowner, which I have, and telling them if I had no response within 14 days I would consider this an indication that the matter was closed. This prompted a written, rather than a form letter, explaining some tosh about the BPA Code of Practice, quoting Clause 22.7 (incorrectly) about challenges not being possible, referring to the pre-court action code of conduct (irrelevant at this stage) with a comment that they were trying to resolve the matter amicably (strange given that the tone of their other letters was anything but amicable) and mentioning Beavis vs Parking Eye as a "landmark Case" and alleging that they believe that similar conditions applied (I think not as I understand it). They finally said that they may not reply to any further correspondence if it didn't provide further "evidence" I am drafting a further response and will thank them for not writing further to me and tell them I won't be writing to them again. I have written to Sainsburys but cannot believe the response I have got. We were actually customers at the store and I submitted receipts to show this, we also used our nectar card. It was answered by their customer services "Careline" - more like "Don't Careline" - saying that they did own the car park, but "would not be able to overturn the charge" which I know to be not true. They did thank me for taking the time to contact them! There will be a follow up letter addressed personally to their CEO. Interested to receive any comments from anyone. How would my view that ECP have not written to me because they only used second names in the initial letters stand up? thanks

Hi and thanks for looking at this thread. I am about to defend a claim from an old Sainsburys credit card debt which has literally just become statute barred...I hope! Name of the Claimant Arrow Global Limited Date of issue – 30th Nov 2015 Date to submit defence = 4pm 01 Jan16 (33 days in total) - What is the claim for – 1. The claim is for the sum of £7000 in respect of monies owing by the defendant on a credit agreement held by the defendant with Sainsburys Bank PLC under account number 44444455555 upon which the defendant failed to maintain payments. 2,A Default notice was served upon which the defendant and has not been complied with. 3 By virtue of a sale agreement between Sainsburys bank PLC and the claimant, the claim vested in the claimant who has a genuine interest. The defendant has been notified of the assignment by letter. What is the value of the claim £8000 Is the claim for a current account (Overdraft) or credit/loan account or mobile phone account - Credit card When did you enter into the original agreement before or after 2007/ - before Has the claim been issued by the original creditor or was the account assigned and it is the Debt purchaser who has issued the claim. -- debt purchaser Were you aware the account had been assigned – did you receive a Notice of Assignment? Not sure Did you receive a Default Notice from the original creditor? yes, notice dated 11th feb 2010 Have you been receiving statutory notices headed “Notice of Default sums” – at least once a year ? I dont think so but couldnt be 100% sure Why did you cease payments? - first payment missed 24th November 2009 What was the date of your last payment? last payment made 24th October 2009 Was there a dispute with the original creditor that remains unresolved? sent CCA request which took 3 months to arrive. The document they sent had a signature on but it was really just confirming personal details and my signature on the bottom. On the rear of the photocopy they sent me were some reconstructed terms and conditions. I placed the account in dispute and stopped payments. I also asked for a photocopy of the actual rear of the document but one was never sent to me. Did you communicate any financial problems to the original creditor and make any attempt to enter into a debt management plan? no

Hi All, long time since I have been on here, I see that advice may have changed from ignore PCN's. My daughter and her friend parked at the lcoal Sainsburys that allows 30 minutes free parking. What they didn't realise was that you still had to print a ticket to put in the windscreen showing £0 paid and a 30 minutes time. They both got PCN's, both tickets show the time which was under the 30 minutes, the PCN for failing to display a ticket. I advised them to ignore the letters, they have now received one of the 'pretend' Bailiff letters and the friend is afraid of getting CCJ's etc, I have advised that won't happen unless you go to court and then fail to pay. Do you think it is worth writing to the Parking Company saying that they were within the free 30 minutes so no loss has been incurred? I believe they both received a NTO and neither have kept a receipt from the shopping they did. Thanks all.

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.

I was stupidly accused of shoplifting at a local Sainsburys store after using the Scan and Go system. As my Visa Electron card doesn't work on Chip and Pin machines in supermarkets, I'm forced to use cash at all times during transactions. I naively scanned half of my shopping and paid for it with the cash I had in my wallet and moved towards the exit of the store with the intention of leaving my trolley within sight of the ATM machine so that I was able to withdraw cash to pay for the remainder of my shopping. It was at this point I was apprehended by 2 Security Guards and the Store Manager and asked to go out the back while my trolley was scanned again as it was believed I hadn't paid for my entire shopping, which on the face of it was true. I suffer from anxiety and depression meaning that I struggle to communicate and as I was being questioned on shoplifting allegations , I was accused of shoplifting and felt unable to communicate and defend myself in front of this audience and felt belittled. I naively thought that if I admitted to the accusation and offered to pay the outstanding balance on my shopping then I would be free to go. I was wrong. The Police were called and I have now been summoned for interview at a local Police station. As I hadn't actually left the store, are they going to be able to prove that I had the intention of shoplifting and failing to pay for my goods? I offered to make full payment on several occasions despite my admission and it's only my own naivety that's got me into this mess. Help!! I'm so scared of this interview!

Hi, Well my mother was banned from sainsburys for stealing a toilet roll. We had just finished doing our shopping and then my mother decided to go into the bathroom , i was fixing my hair in the mirror and i thought it was weird that their were two cleaning ladies hanging around, getting in my face and i guess trying to see what my mother was doing in the stall. We then left walking in the parking lot when two security guards and a cleaning lady ran up to us demanding where the toilet roll was and then threatened to call the police. My mother was then led away asked about her address (she gave a fake one) and asked why she did it and then told she was banned from all stores. And she gave back the toilet roll. I would like to ask: What would have happened if i had been caught because i'm still technically a minor? How are they able to ban someone from all stores ? Thank you

Recently I was caught shop lifting from my local Sainsbury’s store. I have NEVER done anything like this before and I am so ashamed and disgusted with myself. My life is currently a big mess financially and this was i guess a CRY for help . I am normally a very upstanding, honest and god fearing person so this was definitely my darkest moment and something I assure you will never happen again,ive learnt my LESSON I have been worrying myself sick about how it will affect my Record legally. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP AND CLARIFY MY DOUBTS please ? this is what transpired : In a gist I had just stepped out OF THE STORE security guard called me back into the store and escorted me into a room and asked me to show my bags and receipts, initially i hesitated but then owned up as to how i screwed up and honestly went into panic mode I told him I'm sorry Ive never done anything like this and Please dont press charges as he hinted about alerting the police VIA WALKIE TALKIE I begged them literally, I was partially numb as I could still not fathom the fact that I did something so Stupid and told him and the manager that im really sorry and pls dont call cops and was willing to pay for the items. They did the math and items were worth £24.90 to which i said i Don't KNOW if i have enough money but ill pay for whatever i can and rest items i don't want or Ill just pay but i dont want the items. Eventually after a lot of pleading they asked if I have an Photo Id , which honestly of all days i didnt have it on me that day they asked me to fill a form where i put down my Name,address and date of birth and it bans me from their stores and mentioned some recovery policy, I signed it and one copy they kept and one was given to me. I asked them that I know I messed up and theres no excuse for it and it will never happen again and Im sorry and asked if it would have Legal repurcussions in terms of my Record ,employability also In terms of Visa paperwork as im not Local. I harped on that ,the guard assured me that its a civil matter and the form goes on their records and since police wasn't called its not legal. Although initially he was gonna call the police and I begged them not to and was trembling literally. There was a store manager ,a supervisor and the security guard in the room. Please can someone tell me what happens next as I'm terrified that they cops will come looking for me as I gave my name and home address also I didn't end up paying since i RETURNED THE ITEMS in question although before leaving i offered again and the guard just nodded in a way saying not needed. as far as visiting is concerned as requested I am never going into their store ever,i promise. PLS HELP SOMEONE

Hi All, received a threat letter from Reestons that had to be sorted by 15th July. So I sent cca request to Cabot. I have received nothing at all back from them, but unfortunately I now cannot find my proof of postage from Post Office. However, I know that all I have ever signed from Sainsburys was an application form in store, so I doubt that they have the correct documents. Today 25th July I received court papers from Northampton court that were signed on the 22nd July. What are my options for defending when I do not have documents to prove anything. The last time a payment was made on this account was in july 2009, and it has bounced around numerous agencies since until it reached Reestons. Any help would be greatly appreciated in this matter.

the other day I was at sainsburys with my friend and she had popped a bottle into her bag and I walked out with her bag.. . The security guards asked us to follow them to the back of the store and so we did so, police weren't called, we said our sorry's as it was a one time thing and we expressed how much we regretted making that stupid decision. they then told us that we would have to pay an amount of £150 for wasting their time and I just really want to know how this whole civil recovery thing works. Will it come up in a future CRB? They also took a copy of our ID and said how they were going to add it to the database... what database? who will have access too my details? They also said we have a life long ban from all sainsbury's in the country; if I appealed for this to be revoked what would the process consist off? We know that it was wrong on our behalf, even though I only walked out with her bag, which is what got me into trouble, I still know and acknowledge that it was wrong. If anyone can help me and explain this to me in a way that I could understand please leave a comment. Thank you in advance.

Hi I got a window invoice on the 22nd of march from ECP in Sainsburys for parking over the white line onto the dashes lines on the end of a row, the ticket was for £30 if paid before 14 days and £60 from 14+ I then received (28 days later) a letter in the post to the registered keep of the vehicle, being me, saying that i owed the full £60 to pay withing 28 days. I haven't contacted ECP but i have contacted Sainsburies as after looking through my bank statement i spent £59.18 the day of the fine and i regularly do a weeks shopping there and that i am discussed that they would give a valued customer a fine. hopefully they will be able to waiver the fine. What should be my course of action if they cannot? should i Appeal the fine to ECP and ask for a POPLA number? what grounds should i use to appeal it?

I parked in a parent and child bay at my Sainsburys supermarket this morning. I was with my 19 month son. I checked the sign that was convienantly at the front of my car to check the parking rules. It didn't mention anywhere the length of time customers had to park in the carpark so I assumed it was the same as my local Tesco store which is 3 hours. I went off and got some shopping and when I returned 2 hours 45 minutes later I had a ticket from smart parking stating I had over stayed, not how long by. I then scoured the carpark and found a sign stating the maximum time was 2 hours. (this is for a superstore that has a cafe, clothing, eletricals etc ) I then took a picture of the sign and noticed the following (see attached photo) "Income generated from paid parking charge notices is used to fund the motoring operation and any profits returned to Sainsburys are donated to MENCAP or other nominated charity" I have 14 days to pay a reduced charge of £30 after this time it goes up to £60. Please can anyone offer me advice as to whether I should appeal this charge? I would be most greatful for the help. Thank you

I have been caught as Shoplifting in my local sainsburys....I promise it is my first time and something really mad must be happening in my mind...I am so regretted....The shop manager did not call the police and told me it will go through civil recovery and I will be receiving a fine of 150 pounds. I am wondering whether the civil recovery will leave any record? will it effect my future visa application or job application? I am still a student...I really do not want to have this known to everyone.... Please please give me some advice.....I have seen some other post in the forum that if I pay the civil recovery, will the case be ended? will they ask for more?

I have recently published a blog post about a terrible experience endured by Amy Kewell at her local Sainsburys in Tonbridge. The fundamental issue with her experience is that it is very difficult to shop in a supermarket with children in a buggy. We are very keen to find a supermarket who are willing to develop a simple solution to make it easier for mums and dads with buggies. [weblink removed for consideration by site team]

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.