Caught stealing as a minor.. advice please

[rachelbottom]

I know this is bad and i feel so much guilt about it but I was caught stealing the other day from a UK retail store. Security caught me and took my name, address and a photograph of me. I am under 18 so they said they would not get police involved and would not get involved with my parents either. Was just wondering if they would be sending a letter regarding a fine as they did not state that would happen but after reading stuff online i'm worried i'm going to have to pay like £400 from a place called RLP? I am also concerned whether my name would be in some kind of system now that's going to haunt me for life- like stopping me from getting a job, I feel really ashamed and now im really anxious of the consequences.

[echat11]

Hi Rachel

Welcome to LB.

You may receive several speculative invoices, do not pay them. Try not to worry, nothing is going to happen. It won't 'haunt' you for the rest of life, unless you keep thinking about it, then it will. If anything happens, update the thread.

[rachelbottom]

Thank you for the advice! do you know if these letters would have a specific kind of envelope? If they would have a logo on or anything? Also why should i not pay? Would this not get me into trouble

[echat11]

Thank you for the advice! do you know if these letters would have a specific kind of envelope? If they would have a logo on or anything? Also why should i not pay? Would this not get me into trouble

a) do you know if these letters would have a specific kind of envelope?

It depends on who the retailer is and which recovery agent they use, RPL, DWF etc.There won't be that much detail that causes issues for you.

b) If they would have a logo on or anything?

Maybe the letters in the case of DWF.

c) Also why should i not pay?

Because they have not lost any product, they can not breakdown their costs in their speculative invoice, any real costs are factored into their business model

d) Would this not get me into trouble

No.

[des8]

If you are to receive a letter from a civil recovery company the envelope will quite likely bear the company log
Might be able to tell you more if we knew the name of the retailer.

As you are under 18 and living at home I would suggest you consider telling your parents about the incident.
I realise this will not be easy for you, but after their initial shocked reaction I would hope they would support you.

If you have to keep it a secret until you are sure no letters will come, or have to hide letters from your parents, you might find
the situation very stressful

Which ever way it goes, good luck

[rachelbottom]

Thank you for the response, The store chain was Boots, the items was just some makeup like mascara and lipgloss. Unfortunately I am unable to tell people at home as my father is quite aggressive and I know it wouldn’t go down well with him. They did say they weren’t getting involved with the police or my parents and all the items were returned it good condition so they could easily be sold on , so that makes me wonder if they would even send one. Do you happen to know how long it would take for one of these letters to arrive?

[des8]

Boots use RLP (Retail Loss Prevention)
Generally the first letter seems to arrive 2 to 3 weeks later.
I understand the envelope either has Retail Loss Prevention written on it in small letters, or RLP
They continue to chase for approx 9 months, and sometimes also involve debt collectors (who will write letters)

I understand why you would rather your parents did not find out, but it is possible that RLP will write to your parents when you ignore their letters.
They shouldn't, but they apply pressure where ever to obtain payment.


If your parents do find out I hope they would support you.
After all it was not the crime of the century.
If necessary you could point them to this thread, and others on LB, as although we do not condone theft, neither do we condone vigilantes dishing out their own form of punishment as some perverted form of justice.

[rachelbottom]

thank you . So you think it’s likely that they will send a letter then? even though they did not state this to me at the time ?

[des8]

It will depend on the action of the security man at that store.

If he has taken pity on you and can't be bothered with doing the paperwork, he might just put the file in the waste paper basket

You can but wait and see