RLP “Letter before Claim”- What do I do ??

[elsalsa]

First off this is my first time using this site so hello. So my situation is that on the 1st of March I stole from a superdrug. I’m not gonna try to excuse it as I know it’s wrong, but I had just lost my counsellor for the time being and am undergoing a lot of anxiety and depression not only from exam stress (I’m going through my GCSE’s this year) but also from losing my dad temporarily due to his imprisonment (long story). This morning I got a “Letter before Claim” from the RLP which terrified me, as the superdrug had only taken the items off me, which weren’t damaged and still in plastic, banned me from all stores (no time limit given) and taken my picture on a mobile- that’s it, no police call, just my name and address to double check I wasn’t lying. But the letter (linked below) says that I have 21 days to pay a £150 fine- I currently have no job but am on the hunt as I’m scared of the repurcussions if I don’t pay this fine. Please can someone help me out, I’m absolutely terrified and don’t know what to do.
Cheers.

[charitynjw]

Hi & welcome

Hmmm!

They seem to have *accidentally* missed out one option from the 'within the next 21 days you need to' list. (2nd page of the pics you have posted).

I'll add it to the list for them.

• You can completely ignore our speculative attempt to obtain £250 from you!

RLP have no legal right to any monies from you.
As far as I'm aware they have only tried to take 1 person to court some years ago for this type of thing (Oxford) & they were soundly beaten there.
An epic failure.

See attachment

[ostell]

Perhaps they have decided that their letters were not scary enough and so have updated them!

As a letter before claim they have failed miserably in that Pre Action Protocol requires that they give you 30 days to respond and also include some additional paperwork required by PAP (not the Q&A you were sent).

Did you note their ultimate threat? If you do not reply in 21 days they will write to you again !!! Not another scary letter !!

[des8]

Hi and welcome.

Just a couple of points
As you are a juvenile, how old are you and are you living at home with your parents or guardians?
If at home are your parents/guardian aware of the incident?

I only mention this because it is not unknown for these people to write to the parents in case they are not aware their child may be keeping bad company.
Probably illegal, but not a lot that can be done!

[Amethyst]

Just to show how templated and non specific these letters are ....



They are threatening some undefined action ( mainly to write to you again ) on something they have zero detail of - Superdrug haven't even told them the facts of what happened

superdrug had only taken the items off me, which weren’t damaged and still in plastic

( that goods were recovered in resaleable condition ). Ignore them.

[elsalsa]

Hi and welcome.

Just a couple of points
As you are a juvenile, how old are you and are you living at home with your parents or guardians?
If at home are your parents/guardian aware of the incident?

I only mention this because it is not unknown for these people to write to the parents in case they are not aware their child may be keeping bad company.
Probably illegal, but not a lot that can be done!

I'm currently 16 and living at home with my mam, who I haven't told about my situation. I understand how they got my address and name etc (I wrote it down in the superdrug) but how would they reach my mam, would they just send her a template letter addressed to my 'parent or guardian'? I want to be able to tell her as this is so out of character for me but I don't know how she'll react, for them to send her a letter- as you say, illegally- seems so wrong.

[wales01man]

Please tell your mum you will be surprised how supportive she will be better than her getting a letter as for further action more pathetic letters put this behind you and look to the future and don't make the same mistake again

[des8]

I'm afraid I can't tell for sure how your mother will react, but I expect she will be surprised, shocked, upset.
She may or not be angry, but I hope that would soon pass.
You'll possibly get a telling off. but hopefully after that her maternal feelings will kick in and she will support you.

Your "crime" is very minor, and doesn't warrant the stress that RLP cause.
IMO their actions are a lot more reprehensible than yours, and they should be completely ignored with contempt.

If you or your mother need support or advice feel free to come back here