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Hello,
First of all I wanted to say that what have happened was a terrible mistake me and my friend have made. We shoplifted in one of big stores and got caught. It was very intimidating situation and I am sincerely sorry for what I have done. I will fully understand any judging from the forum people. I stole goods for about 4 GBP and I don't really know how much did my friend stole. I am really ashamed of my behavior and I learned my lesson. I can assure that what I've done was just an impulse and I don't do such things normally.
Today I received a letter from RLP saying that I owe them 174 GBP.
I was devastated by that information, mostly because I was not expecting any charges (they took a picture of us in the store, took our names and addresses, and let us go- there was no police involved). The security guard I spoken to that day said there will be no further legal actions against us.
The point is- I received two letters to my address- one for me and the other one for my friend. My friend is currently overseas- does not live in the UK at all. The store had her address (overseas address) but still they sent her letter to me.
Letter says that we can split charge between us.
I immediately called RLP to discuss the situation (now I read some posts here and I know that I shouldn't have done it). Women from RLP told me as follows:
-People from the store are not obliged to inform offenders that they will be charged by RLP (if I knew that this would happen I would probably prepare myself financially)
-They can put my debt on hold for 3 months (what I asked for and they did)
-I asked them about splitting the debt- they said it's OK but then I mentioned the other person is overseas. They said that the other person needs to pay from overseas.
-I asked them what if the other person does not even speak English- they said that I should give them the other person's e-mail, so they can send them payment details and charge and that the other person can use Google Translate to translate their 'simple e-mail' (yes, that's what they said)
I tried to contact that other person, had chat with them and to be honest I doubt they will pay to RLP. I am willing to pay my 87 GBP as soon as I have some money (I am currently unemployed and practically no source of income, but I also have plans and I don't want any law conflicts).
After a few hours I called the RLP again and asked them what if the other person doesn't want to pay.
The answer was terrifying as according to one of RLP employees I am suppose to pay the whole charge. She added 'yeah, I know it may seem not fair but this is our procedure'.
Important: we are both adults, we are not related in any way, that person lives in a different country in Europe, that person does not even speak English.
Now the question is:
Is that even legal they want me to pay the whole charge for both people?
I am sincerely willing to pay my half and get over it- I seriously got my lesson and do not want to act like that in the future.
What are the consequences for me if I only pay them my half? Will I have a criminal record? Will I have problems with flat agencies/landlords? Can it affect my Student Finance loan?
Many thanks in advance for your help.
I hope there is a solution for that situation.
First of all I wanted to say that what have happened was a terrible mistake me and my friend have made. We shoplifted in one of big stores and got caught. It was very intimidating situation and I am sincerely sorry for what I have done. I will fully understand any judging from the forum people. I stole goods for about 4 GBP and I don't really know how much did my friend stole. I am really ashamed of my behavior and I learned my lesson. I can assure that what I've done was just an impulse and I don't do such things normally.
Today I received a letter from RLP saying that I owe them 174 GBP.
I was devastated by that information, mostly because I was not expecting any charges (they took a picture of us in the store, took our names and addresses, and let us go- there was no police involved). The security guard I spoken to that day said there will be no further legal actions against us.
The point is- I received two letters to my address- one for me and the other one for my friend. My friend is currently overseas- does not live in the UK at all. The store had her address (overseas address) but still they sent her letter to me.
Letter says that we can split charge between us.
I immediately called RLP to discuss the situation (now I read some posts here and I know that I shouldn't have done it). Women from RLP told me as follows:
-People from the store are not obliged to inform offenders that they will be charged by RLP (if I knew that this would happen I would probably prepare myself financially)
-They can put my debt on hold for 3 months (what I asked for and they did)
-I asked them about splitting the debt- they said it's OK but then I mentioned the other person is overseas. They said that the other person needs to pay from overseas.
-I asked them what if the other person does not even speak English- they said that I should give them the other person's e-mail, so they can send them payment details and charge and that the other person can use Google Translate to translate their 'simple e-mail' (yes, that's what they said)
I tried to contact that other person, had chat with them and to be honest I doubt they will pay to RLP. I am willing to pay my 87 GBP as soon as I have some money (I am currently unemployed and practically no source of income, but I also have plans and I don't want any law conflicts).
After a few hours I called the RLP again and asked them what if the other person doesn't want to pay.
The answer was terrifying as according to one of RLP employees I am suppose to pay the whole charge. She added 'yeah, I know it may seem not fair but this is our procedure'.
Important: we are both adults, we are not related in any way, that person lives in a different country in Europe, that person does not even speak English.
Now the question is:
Is that even legal they want me to pay the whole charge for both people?
I am sincerely willing to pay my half and get over it- I seriously got my lesson and do not want to act like that in the future.
What are the consequences for me if I only pay them my half? Will I have a criminal record? Will I have problems with flat agencies/landlords? Can it affect my Student Finance loan?
Many thanks in advance for your help.
I hope there is a solution for that situation.
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