TK Maxx - Notice of Intended Civil Recovery

[Jill1890]

Very embarrassed to write... I picked up 2 things in the shop that I didn't pay for (worth £10 total) but also purchased items that I paid for at the till and walked out. Stopped by TK Maxx security.. Very nerve wracking. Long story short, my name and address was noted down and I was handed Notice of Intended Civil Recovery with RLP header on the top.

I have been reading posts here that have mentioned to not be too worried about this. But can't help but feel what if things have changed and what if it is more strict now!

This incident only happened today so I haven't yet received any letters. I have email my local Citizens Advice Bureau too to set up an appointment, i just want to be prepared and armed with all the options i have and the action I should take when I was to receive a letter from RLP.

I know what I did is wrong but I do not want to have a civil judgement against me for a momentary lapse in judgement worth £10!

any comforting words anyone..

[Amethyst]

Nothings changed

CAB are likely to tell you to pay the invoice. We'll tell you to ignore it. It is entirely up to you.

You cannot have a CCJ against you unless TK Maxx take you to court, and win. We haven't seen a court claim from TK Maxx for civil recovery.

TK Maxx experienced no loss. You took £10 value goods out of the store, then they took them back, and presumably you didn't destroy them in between times so they were still able to be sold. The staff who dealt with it are paid to deal with it and would cost the same had you taken the goods or not. Likewise CCTV would be in place and costing what it costs regardless of whether you took the £10 worth of items or not.

The police weren't called, you have no criminal record - so all that will happen is you'll get 5/6 nasty letters from RLP, then maybe a couple from a debt collection company, then that'll be that.

Assume you're banned from TKMaxx as well ? Probably for the best, it's a bit of an overpriced jumble sale shop IMO. lol.

[Jill1890]

Thank you, that helps.

Yes, the items were handed back still in saleable condition and yes 12 months ban from TK Maxx.

I was just worried what it said on the notice they handed me- that if I fail to pay the fine they could bring county/Sheriff court proceedings against me.


I will wait for the letters to arrive...

Thank you for your prompt response though.

[Amethyst]

Does it actually say 'fine' on the letter ?

[Jill1890]

No, sorry. Fine is the word that the staff at TK Maxx used. The notice just says "Failure to pay the amount due under our civil action may result in: ...."

[Kati]

Could you upload a redacted copy of it at all Jill1890 ??

[Jill1890]

[Jill1890]

It's just a generic notice, didn't need to redact anything

[MIKE770]

exactly - losses -= NIL = Admin =Nil staff = already paid regrdless , cost them to send silly letters - could call it spamming? IGNORE letters shame on them - crooks yes they are

[ostell]

All the losses they are claiming were shot down in flames by a judge when they did, catastrophically for them, try a court case

[2222]

Perhaps I'm a right wing bastard, but I like the idea of stores handing notices like this out, to deter normally honest people from making the same mistake again. I'm not sure they should be following the notice up by trying to extract money on these pretences. It seems somewhat immoral.

The only loss they have actually had is a member of staff's time collecting the item from the security office and putting it back on the shelf. At NMW, that's a couple of pounds.

[des8]

I'm surprised that a poster on this site should be seen to apparently supporting a form of vigilantism.
In the UK we have a criminal system of justice and a civil system.
We do not need, and I certainly would not condone, a third private system of imposing penalties by private individuals or companies.
The possibilities of extortion that such a system could lead to are mind boggling!

[2222]

I'm surprised that a poster on this site should be seen to apparently supporting a form of vigilantism.
In the UK we have a criminal system of justice and a civil system.
We do not need, and I certainly would not condone, a third private system of imposing penalties by private individuals or companies.
The possibilities of extortion that such a system could lead to are mind boggling!

I agree with all that. Handing out a somewhat daunting notice seems a lot more lenient than calling the police. Actually attempting to collect on that notice, as I said, is immoral. The alternative of throwing the miscreants out of the store without even a ticking off is sending all the wrong messages.

At one time a lot of stores had a zero tolerance policy, and called the police for every offence. Is that any better?

[des8]

IMO that notice is threatening and should not be used

We have seen so many instances on here where vulnerable people have been worried by these notices, although they have received advice from the police (who were called) that I cannot agree with their use.

[RILEYL]

Hi does anyone know how much the fines actually are? I stupidly stole a £6 item in superdrug on the off chance and totally regret it. I too have been told I will have to pay a fine and expect a letter in the post. I am happy to pay it if I can afford it, just wondered if anyone knows how much the fines actually are?