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Would it be worth sending them a 'prove it' letter asking for evidence of the debt? I assume that you never signed anything agreeing to pay this 'fine'?
If so, they won't be able to offer any signed documentation that shows you've entered into any sort of credit arrangement. These are debt collectors but in this case they're not pursuing non-payment in a mutually agreed contract/exchange of services - they're asking for a sum that has been arbitrarily decided by Primark.
There are some examples of proforma 'prove it' letters on sites like this: https://www.moneyadviceonline.co.uk/...bt-letter.html
Would anyone recommend OP sending something like this in reply to a letter from Scott and Mears? Surely the burden of proof would need to include evidence that you admitted full responsibility and that they had proof of your identity - anyone could conceivably give another person's details when being detained by security, if the police haven't been involved and confirmed your identity how can they prove you're responsible?
Primark would need to provide the evidence right? CCTV, photos, signed witness statements etc. Are we to believe they've held onto these for 2-3 years, despite no police involvement? And...wouldn't it open up a can of worms in terms of data protection IF they had? Imagine if one were caught shoplifting and gave a false name or an address of someone with the same/similar name to yours and this data sat around on a shelf for years - wouldn't that be potentially damaging to the wrongly named party?
It's all so shady but also desperately lazy- if you're going to go to the effort of catching shoplifters then spin the wheel and call the police. If they get off they get off, if they're asked to pay victim support then take what you're given.
If so, they won't be able to offer any signed documentation that shows you've entered into any sort of credit arrangement. These are debt collectors but in this case they're not pursuing non-payment in a mutually agreed contract/exchange of services - they're asking for a sum that has been arbitrarily decided by Primark.
There are some examples of proforma 'prove it' letters on sites like this: https://www.moneyadviceonline.co.uk/...bt-letter.html
Would anyone recommend OP sending something like this in reply to a letter from Scott and Mears? Surely the burden of proof would need to include evidence that you admitted full responsibility and that they had proof of your identity - anyone could conceivably give another person's details when being detained by security, if the police haven't been involved and confirmed your identity how can they prove you're responsible?
Primark would need to provide the evidence right? CCTV, photos, signed witness statements etc. Are we to believe they've held onto these for 2-3 years, despite no police involvement? And...wouldn't it open up a can of worms in terms of data protection IF they had? Imagine if one were caught shoplifting and gave a false name or an address of someone with the same/similar name to yours and this data sat around on a shelf for years - wouldn't that be potentially damaging to the wrongly named party?
It's all so shady but also desperately lazy- if you're going to go to the effort of catching shoplifters then spin the wheel and call the police. If they get off they get off, if they're asked to pay victim support then take what you're given.
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