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1st RLP letter received and I've visited CAB as well.

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  • 1st RLP letter received and I've visited CAB as well.

    Hello,

    On Monday I received a letter from RLP titled "Letter Before Claim" requesting a "fixed contribution to all of the losses" in the sum of £147.50 for an "alleged" (as noted in their letter) Theft of Goods from a supermarket outlet in London during the early of March 2015.

    Although it didn't matter to the security guard, who lied on multiple occasions (more on that if you deem it important information), I claimed it was an honest mistake made in a panic after rushing around the store in search of a personal item that I had realised I lost as I was paying at the self-service. I eventually picked up my item with that security guard moments before the alleged Theft of Goods.

    I was apprehended less than two feet into the trolley area (past the last port of payment) as I was about to pack my bags. The items in question had not been packed into the storecarrier bags or my personal bag and were in the trolley fully intact. The security guard whom I had interacted with moments prior requested my receipt which I had misplaced during the panic-search I described above, asked me whether I'd paid for the items, the price of the items as well as the price of my total shop and then moved me into a room/hallway at the back of the store where there were noticeboards. En route there he stated that I was "in big trouble". Once there he continued to question me and threaten to call the police if I refused to disclose my details - he was certain I had committed theft, no doubts.

    After 5-10 minutes a lady in a grey suit also came to question me and believed the security guard, lies and all. She took my details from my driving licence and retrieved a receipt from their database using the card I paid with. Another 10 minutes (approx.) of me proclaiming my innocence and relaying my story went by before another gentleman came who listened to both side of events, went through my items as the security guard searched my bag but finally told me that he was issuing a Civil Debt Recovery and mentioned something about the time limit for payment and what would occur if I did not pay within this period. I was not told of any ban. All the good were recovered by the store in apt condition for re-sale.

    About half a week later I went back to the store, shopped as usual and left, noticing the security guard that I had dealt with who mumbled something as I walked out of the store - he was never a clear speaker and I repeatedly asked him to repeat what he was saying during the time he accused me of theft. Days after that, I was again shopping in the store with another person when he, alongside another security guard (security guard 2), tracked me down as we paid for the goods announcing that I was banned for all to hear at self-service. We went into the trolley area where the person I was with (I had told her about the incident on the day it happened) backed me up and we had to separate security guard 2 from the first guard as he was very loud, aggressive and not clear with his words. The person I was with asked how long the ban would last, security guard 1, in the background, said "3 months at least". Security guard 2 said "6 months to a year". After more back and forth talk we asked again for clarification when he now said it was a "life ban". We questioned that but we eventually left.

    That night I went back alone to speak to them, security guard 2 was outside smoking and we had a 10 minute conversation about the happenings earlier. He told me that he and his colleague were privately employed and thus I could not complain to their company about security guard 1's conduct. Neither of them wore any badges, ID cards, etc. Security guard 2 also mentioned that if I did not pay then I could be taken to the magistrates court and charged.

    I recently visited CAB but that was a fruitless endeavour and I left with a piece of paper instructing me to visit their website.

    I've read through many articles on LB and attainable through search engines and other websites so am aware that the common consensus is to "just ignore" the letters from RLP. Is my case any different?
    Last edited by Usiaw; 24th March 2015, 20:09:PM.

  • #2
    Re: 1st RLP letter received and I've visited CAB as well.

    answer to question: NO.
    Ignore, Ignore and Ignore again.

    One point< security guard searched my bag> silly man, he could have planted goods alleged to have been stolen

    Advice: shop elsewhere if that is how they treat their customers

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: 1st RLP letter received and I've visited CAB as well.

      Were you charged by the police? Were the police actually called??
      Were the 'suspected' stolen goods reclaimed? Had you actually paid for them at the checkout??

      I'd say, until you get a court claim (not just a letter from rlp) then it's safe to ignore
      Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.

      It doesn't matter where your journey begins, so long as you begin it...

      recte agens confido

      ~~~~~

      Any advice I provide is given without liability, if you are unsure please seek professional legal guidance.

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      But please include a link to your thread so I know who you are.

      Specialist advice can be sought via our sister site JustBeagle

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: 1st RLP letter received and I've visited CAB as well.

        Thanks for your responses.

        I wasn't charged by police. They weren't even called (only the threat of calling them was mentioned by security and another staff member passing through, otherwise entirely uninvolved, who said [paraphrased] "if he's gonna ask all these questions just call police" - I asked what the difference would be between receiving a CDR and having the police present was).

        I hadn't paid for the suspected items they took back at checkout, but I had paid for a considerable amount of other items in order to leave, hastily, and rush through the store. It had been over an hour since I'd lost that item so I feared the worst. Those items they reclaimed were done so in perfect condition for re-sale. In fact, they were put back on the shelves as I was accompanied out of the store.

        Is there anything to worry about regarding the heading "Letter Before Claim"? That's the primary difference I can notice in comparing them with other attached letters on this section in LB recently (apart from the amount claimed by them). How many of these letters can I expect to receive and for how long?

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: 1st RLP letter received and I've visited CAB as well.

          Civil matter... They will jump up and down chuck their toys around the pram, but the em 'claim' would have to be for some kind of loss... If you fancy chucking away 84p or whatever it is for proof of posting you could always write back with the lines.. "Oh no I didn't, prove your statement or can it" You would no doubt get a deluge of threats and colorful court type letters, you can buy one of these paper briquette makers and if you own a woodburner this would represent an excellent return on your investment in the stamp, and should they be stupid enough at a later date to take a claim out you would then have them over a barrel (unless they actually stump up something incriminating) as you have got your rebuttal in at this early stage...

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: 1st RLP letter received and I've visited CAB as well.

            As a matter of interest could you post up a copy of this letter before claim. (suitably redacted of course)
            I'd bet it isn't compliant with Practice Direction=Preaction Conduct, so if you fancy writing back you could really get up their noses.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: 1st RLP letter received and I've visited CAB as well.

              Attached is a copy of the letter received. Sorry about the lack of quality, let me know if there are any issues with that.
              Attached Files

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: 1st RLP letter received and I've visited CAB as well.

                As expected it is deficient:
                i) should give concise details about the matter.........it only gives a general outline as it is a template letter used in all their attempts to scare
                ii)give the claimants name and address............RLP should not be claimant as they suffered no loss
                iii)they need to give an explanation of how they calculate the amount claimed
                iv)needs to list essential documents on which they rely
                v) invite you to a form of ADR (IMO inviting you to discuss with the collections department does not qualify)
                vi) should refer you to a number of organisations where you can obtain free and independent advice and assistance

                Interesting the way an alleged action (line 2) becomes a wrongful action by line 5, and your denial of wrong doing is completely ignored.

                I personally would not waste time, effort or postage costs communicating with them, but if you do just mention you are fully aware of the Oxford case (http://www.farrarsbuilding.co.uk/cms...-v-B-K_001.pdf) which they lost even though the defendants admitted theft, which you do not.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: 1st RLP letter received and I've visited CAB as well.

                  About time these chancers were stopped I expect that many innocent victims have fallen for this which can only be described as a SCAM.

                  The OP should IMO ignore these threats coming back on here when more letters arrive for advice these crooks are very unlikely to take any proper legal action as they would as reported on here lose .

                  The OP is off course innocent RLP and there moron security goons have no legal powers att all and from what I have read here are guilty of gross stupidity and they are the ones deserving a Court case

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: 1st RLP letter received and I've visited CAB as well.

                    Besides which... The letter refers to "The average loss to our client is between £300 and £500" If they are attempting to make a claim for loss they can't start with an average, it has to be specific to your case... If you ignore it (and you can easily) be prepared for more threats, bullshit and bluster... Time to buy a paper briquette maker....

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: 1st RLP letter received and I've visited CAB as well.

                      Almost worth doing a DSAR... See what their client really instructed....:tongue2:

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: 1st RLP letter received and I've visited CAB as well.

                        Hi again, just to update you all, no second letter so far but going by this thread (http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...p-please/page2) I should expect Letter Number Two later this month.

                        A slightly frustrating thing to have in the back of your mind but I stand by my innocence and feel more assured reading all the advice fellow users of LB have provided on this forum. Thanks again and I'll post an image again should anything arrive, if you'll advise me further I'd be very appreciative.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: 1st RLP letter received and I've visited CAB as well.

                          Sooner than expected. Letter Number Two has arrived. What do you advise as my next action? Same as before?
                          Attached Files

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: 1st RLP letter received and I've visited CAB as well.

                            Yes, same as before xx
                            #staysafestayhome

                            Any support I provide is offered without liability, if you are unsure please seek professional legal guidance.

                            Received a Court Claim? Read >>>>> First Steps

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: 1st RLP letter received and I've visited CAB as well.

                              Originally posted by Usiaw View Post
                              I recently visited CAB but that was a fruitless endeavour and I left with a piece of paper instructing me to visit their website.
                              What the heck use is that? I am really starting to despair of CAB.
                              #staysafestayhome

                              Any support I provide is offered without liability, if you are unsure please seek professional legal guidance.

                              Received a Court Claim? Read >>>>> First Steps

                              Comment

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