Dwf and sainsburys

[Generalbear]

Hi all
after some advice please.

I today recieved a letter from DWF law.
in relation to an " incident " on the 14th November,

The incident in question was i stopped by store security, in the form of store detectives.

They claim they had observed me ' deliberately 'not scanning items and bagging them.

however its was proven that what they had failed to observe was that when you purchased multiple items of the same product you dont need to scan each individual item.

After a very aggressive stop ( I was backed into a corner by 3 men, non uniformed one of which was shouting at me from approx 6inches from my face , I did become slightly aggressive and warned him loudly to move back or id move him back) this promoted the uniformed security to rush over amd start filming with his body cam.

After being taken to a small room, which i obliged everything they asked for in the way of being complient and giving them ID.
They established that 3 items hadnt been accounted for
1 pouch of rice ( out of 6), 1 jar of sauce ( out of 5 ) and a packet of bread rolls.

it was a genuine mistake, i apologised and immediately offered the £3 odd for my error.

Was told ' too late as id left the store '
After they gave me a lecture on this being the most common form of shop lifting and questioned why I didnt doubt the cost when I checked out ( I used money off vouchers and nectar points etc )
I was eventually banned ' from all sainsburys and argos stores and told that my pics would shared with other stores etc.
the ban was highlighted as my aggressive and threatening behaviour

I disagreed but accepted it and left.

Today I get a letter stating I stole " £ 82.63" ( false )

And ordered to pay " 200.00" within 14 days

I see a lot kf threads on here to just ignore it.
But these are old threads

In the current climate whats the way to deal woth this please ?
will this end in court or ccj or recover action?

Many thanks in advance

[echat11]

Hi GeneralBear

Welcome to LB

Can you upload the letter, remove all personal details and reference numbers.

[Generalbear]

Apparently not, as I dont know how to make the soze smaller and it just won't allow me

[Generalbear]

Dear Sir/Madam

Our Client: Sainsbury`s Supermarkets Limited
Balance Due: £200.00

We are solicitors acting on behalf of Sainsbury`s Supermarkets Limited and have been instructed in
regard to an incident at its Hedge End A0657 store on 14 November 2025.

This sum is broken down as follows:
Value of goods stolen
£82.63
Value of good damaged
Less Value of goods recovered
£82.63
Value of cash stolen
£
Security costs
£200.00
Amount now due
£200.00

We require payment of the outstanding balance during the next 14 days to avoid further recovery
action being taken.



This is what it says

[echat11]

The best thing is to put aside any letters you receive, you will receive 3 / 4.
Each one threatening this and that, then more of this and that, so it goes on, etc, etc.

Eventually they will give up, especially as the cost of postage is more then the £3.

There is nothing to pay.

There is no loss, the goods were returned in resaleable condition.

The security / staff costs are covered in their 'business plan', so already accounted for.

What they are sending is a 'speculative invoice' with no 'breakdown' or actual loss.

Update if you get anything of 'substance, i.e. Letter Before Action or a claim form.

If you are struggling their is help out there, as a last resort your local MP can help.

[Generalbear]

Just as an update i have had a second letter and now 2 phone calls I havent answered

[Generalbear]

Which is interesting as I didnt give them a phone number

[echat11]

Which is interesting as I didnt give them a phone number

Keep a diary of letters, calls etc.

[Generalbear]

3rd letter arrived this morning.

Stating

They will consider commencing
Court proceedings
increase in balance via court fees
A ccj
Credit rating WILL be affected for 6 years
A bailiff will atned to remive goods
will seek a court order to deduct monies from employer

I have 14 days from 29/12/2025

Do i continue to ignore or do i now engage with them ?

[echat11]

3rd letter arrived this morning.

Stating

They will consider commencing
Court proceedings
increase in balance via court fees
A ccj
Credit rating WILL be affected for 6 years
A bailiff will atned to remive goods
will seek a court order to deduct monies from employer

I have 14 days from 29/12/2025

Do i continue to ignore or do i now engage with them ?

Yes, just ignore.

[PallasAthena]

Ignore.

What they don't mention is that none of those things could happen unless Sainsburys brought a court action AND were successful. Which is highly unlikely considering that by their own admission the net value of goods stolen is zero! Sainsburys are well aware that the "security costs" (the oddly round number of £200) would almost certainly not be recoverable by them in court. So they aren't going to waste their time.

And even if Sainsburys did take you to court you would only get a CCJ recorded against you IF the judge ruled in their favour AND IF you didn't pay the judgement within 28 days. If you pay within 28 days of the judgement no CCJ will be recorded against you so your credit record would be unaffected and baliffs would not come to your property and no-one could seek an attachment to earnings order. They are just trying to frighten you to pay them money they aren't entitled to.

The only things you should not ignore are a formal "Pre Action Protocol Letter of Claim" issued by Sainsburys themselves or by DWF acting as their solicitors under UK rules of civil procedure [often referred to as a 'PAPLOC'] , or any document from a court.