Scared got letter from retail loss prevention

[Chrissy79]

HI There,

 

I am a single mum and so scared I was out shopping with my daughter in Primark and she was playing up and got a phonecall on my mobile I had a pack of vests and socks which I forgot about had the money for them but because I was not thinking walkked out then security approached me and took my datails I told them this was my first and last time doing this but was not thinking. Now I have recieved a letter saying I have to pay £87.50 which I can not afford to pay now I am worried I will have to go to court so scared .

[honeybee13]

Hello and welcome to CAG.

 

I'll move your thread to the right forum for this sort of problem, the guys should be able to help you.

 

My best, HB

[silverfox1961]

Hi and welcome.

Please try to calm down and have a read of others in a similar situation.

 

Just as a matter of interest, how long were you held?

Did they take you to a back office? did you have a choice?

 

These 'speculative' invoices have no legal standing (YET-if at all)

 

You will get lots of help but the main thing is. YOU WILL NOT GET A CRIMINAL RECORD

[Chrissy79]

I was not held long just gave my address and date of birth then they gave me the information about RLP then I was escorted out as my daughter was playing up. I am just so scared as have not got the money to pay it as all my benefit money pays for my bills and my daughter.

[silverfox1961]

Lets get this straight. They will send you some letters demanding this that and the other then they will get a debt collector to chase you and they may even try the solicitor letter.

The only person that can force you to pay this invoice is a judge and RLP very rarely do court.

 

As I said, read around this forum and you will see just how seriously we at CAG regard this (NOT being the answer)

 

Do not even offer to pay them. You were not arrested-no crime-simple as

[2Grumpy]

What's more, because the goods were recovered in a saleable condition, the shop did not suffer any loss. The security man was doing the job he was paid to do, so he didn't spend any time away from his normal job.

 

I suspect that the security man saw exactly what had happened and saw you as an easy target for an RLP speculative invoice.

 

Ignore the first letter, but if they continue to write, send them a single line reply to their next letter, literally "I deny any liability to you or your client.". That is best sent second class, but get a certificate of posting (free from the post office) to show that you sent the letter. Don't add anything else to the letter.

 

Don't provide any further information (eg excuses or reasons)

 

Don't talk to them on the phone (I don't think that they do call) - don't go through their "security" process if they do call, just tell them that you will deal with the matter in writing only.

 

In my eyes, as well as dealing with thieves, the security people are there to remind forgetful shoppers who have forgotten to pay or are distracted of what they have done, not to treat them like this. They need re-educating. The way that shops are laid out encourages you to wonder around looking for your remaining purchases and it is all too easy to forget that you have picked up some items that you are considering purchasing and then get distracted and leave the store. When I did that, fortunately I wasn't stopped and just returned the items (I had decided not to buy them) to the shelves.

[rebel11]

Hi Chrissy

 

Write a Formal Letter of Complaint, explain what happened, that you are totally innocent (you got distracted by the phone call and you had monies to pay for the goods on you) and this is a case of an over zealous security guard.

As the guys have said, try not to worry.

 

Send it to:-

 

Paul Marchant, Chief Executive

[email protected]

 

Some tips:- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1242161/How--write-letter-complaint.html

[Chrissy79]

Hi There,

 

I wrote to RLP saying I deny no liabiliy. I then got a letter saying Without prjudice save as to costs. Saying the client id in a position to issue preceedings against me. Do I still ignore the letter.

[honeybee13]

Hello Chrissy.

 

Are you able to post up a scanned image of the letter without your personal details or type it out please, so we can have a look?

 

My best, HB

[ScarletPimpernel]

Yep. RLP send letters full of this legalese drivel in order to scare people.

[rebel11]

Hi Chrissy

 

Dx100 – Instructions on uploading pdfs

 

scan the required letters/agreements/sheets

as a picture file

remove all pers info inc barcodes etc using paint

but leave all figures and dates.

goto one of the many free online pdf converter websites

convert the image to pdf format.

or ir you have PDF as an installed printer drive use that

open a new msg box here

hit go advanced below the msg box

hit manage attachments below that box

hit the add files button on the top right

hit select files, navigate to your file on your pc

hit upload files

NB:you can set where it goes in the post by hitting insert inline.

the hit reply button

[Chrissy79]

Having sent letter stating deny no liability now I have a letter stating that they have considered all the issues raised and have attatched a Defence to civil claim form. and that if I reject all the alternatives that their client will be entititled to issue a Claim in the county court. Worried now . I can not afford to pay £87.50 and the goods were returned straight away.

[silverfox1961]

Hi

Don't worry about this new letter. You have written stating your case so in my opinion, you should now ignore their letters.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I agree entirely with Silverfox. RLP's letters are designed to scare you; just ignore them.

 

Bullying can take many forms; for RLP it's pretending that they have some sort of legal or moral authority. They have neither.

[2Grumpy]

So far, RLP has invited you to make a contribution to their funds ()maybe their Christmas party and you have declined. They can't issued any claim through the courts and their clients haven't either.

 

At the moment there is nothing to provide a defense to.

[Chrissy79]

Hi All,

 

I have received another letter today titled " Claiments Offer to Settle Claim Pursuant to Part 36 Civil Procedure Rules 1998 " Says the claiment is willing to make a offer of £70 .00 in full but I still can not afford this . Do I still ignore the letters worried again that they will take me to court when it was a mistake as stated in my thread.

[2Grumpy]

"Your client is fully aware of my version of events, the CCTV backs this up. I am currently considering making a claim against your client and I am happy to include RLP if you continue to represent them. At the moment I am willing to accept an offer of £200 from your client" ... just a thought

[Chrissy79]

What does that mean ?

[ScarletPimpernel]

Personally, since you've told them you deny any liability, I'd continue to ignore RLP. They send these letters quoting legal procedures to try to intimidate you into believing that they have some sort of legal authority; they have not. If they want to waste stamps, let them.

[Anus Horribilis]

Personally, since you've told them you deny any liability, I'd continue to ignore RLP. They send these letters quoting legal procedures to try to intimidate you into believing that they have some sort of legal authority; they have not. If they want to waste stamps, let them.

 

I agree. If you had formally admitted theft to Police/Court, then they might sometimes have a basis to recover some damages. But you did not admit a theft, you did not commit a theft and you have not been convicted of a theft. So they would find it virtually impossible to win a civil claim against you. This is just speculative bullying by computer-generated form letter, ignore it.