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2017 - RLP "Letter before claim" - updated advice and outcomes
Hi everyone,
I want to start by explaining my situation short and sweet. Last month I was caught shoplifting products from Waitrose superstore. I am a student and although I shall make no excuses of my actions, I tried my luck.
Anyway, moments after exiting the store I was approached by a man dressed in casual clothing who said "excuse me, would you like to come back and talk about the items you haven't paid for?". Immediately, I went into the back room where they asked me to recover the goods to them which I did happily. I stated that I had never shoplifted anything before and that this was out of character and a genuine mistake. They took my driving licence for a few moments and then issued me a ban from all Waitrose stores with no period of time stated. They took a picture of me on an Iphone 5 and said that a Civil Recovery company may contact me looking to recover money for the loss, even though the goods were immediately recovered in the same condition. No police were called or involved.
I get home and panic a little, searching the internet about what could happen when thankfully I discover a forum like this. I spend three hours convincing myself It will be okay, a few days go by and no letter.
13 days later and I recieve a LETTER BEFORE CLAIM asking for £197.50 with 21 days to respond.
I am very aware of the advice to ignore, which I will continue to do. However, I feel it would be helpful with an updated forum about what to expect next, when the ignoring becomes serious and eventually any positive/negative outcomes that people like me desparately need to hear in order to live everyday not anxious that a debt collector will turn up at my house or a court letter will have come through.
Ps. On the letter they mistakenly put my middlename as my surname, and also will they have access to my home or mobile number, - this would be my worst dread as nobody in my family knows about this matter.
Any responses are much appreciated, and thank heavens for this forum!
I want to start by explaining my situation short and sweet. Last month I was caught shoplifting products from Waitrose superstore. I am a student and although I shall make no excuses of my actions, I tried my luck.
Anyway, moments after exiting the store I was approached by a man dressed in casual clothing who said "excuse me, would you like to come back and talk about the items you haven't paid for?". Immediately, I went into the back room where they asked me to recover the goods to them which I did happily. I stated that I had never shoplifted anything before and that this was out of character and a genuine mistake. They took my driving licence for a few moments and then issued me a ban from all Waitrose stores with no period of time stated. They took a picture of me on an Iphone 5 and said that a Civil Recovery company may contact me looking to recover money for the loss, even though the goods were immediately recovered in the same condition. No police were called or involved.
I get home and panic a little, searching the internet about what could happen when thankfully I discover a forum like this. I spend three hours convincing myself It will be okay, a few days go by and no letter.
13 days later and I recieve a LETTER BEFORE CLAIM asking for £197.50 with 21 days to respond.
I am very aware of the advice to ignore, which I will continue to do. However, I feel it would be helpful with an updated forum about what to expect next, when the ignoring becomes serious and eventually any positive/negative outcomes that people like me desparately need to hear in order to live everyday not anxious that a debt collector will turn up at my house or a court letter will have come through.
Ps. On the letter they mistakenly put my middlename as my surname, and also will they have access to my home or mobile number, - this would be my worst dread as nobody in my family knows about this matter.
Any responses are much appreciated, and thank heavens for this forum!
) 
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