Sillysue

[Sillysue]

My friend has been caught shoplifting at M &S. Has received a ban from all stores. Was told contact would be made for payment of some kind of fine/expenses for security. The company solicitor DWF would make this contact. What is the timeframe for such a letter. Petrified family will find out when letter arrives in the post.
what can be done my friend is saying will cause harm to themselves.

[des8]

tell your friend not to be concerned by anything DWF might send as they can be completely ignored.
She should not respond in anyway to DWF as their letters are of no consequence.
all they try and do is frighten their victims into paying extortionate demands for losses which have not been incurred.
Their series of letters can be read here: https://legalbeagles.info/forums/for...rs-rlp-and-dwf


You don't mention the age or circumstances of your friend.
Our normal advice if they think their post will be read by other family members, is to confide in them.
A proper family reaction, even if initially surprised and upset, will be to support not condemn
The letters are spread out over a number of weeks.

[Sillysue]

Thank you for your response. My friend is in their 60s and has a history of depression. I think this is what has led to this behaviour.
The anxiety has increased these past few days over the fear of a that may arrive at the home address.I looked up details for the solicitors that M&S use Davies Wallis Foyser and they look like a big scary firm.
Can they get a court order if the fine is not paid? Don’t know what to do to help.

[ostell]

It's not a fine!! Only courts can issue fines. It is a sum that they try to claim for losses, losses that do not exist. The last time a similar incident was in court the company that tried a similar letter were basically laughed out of court

to take it to court they would have to show a loss. There is no loss.

[des8]

They are a big scary bully firm that may even use a big red scary pen to frighten people into paying their ridiculous demands.
Tell your friend to ignore them.
they will do nothing other than make a lot of noise

[Sillysue]

Thank you so much. I feel better able to help now. Obviously can’t avoid the letter coming in the post scenario. If the family discover the letter will have to address this.i was wondering if not known at this address would deter? Or is just ignoring better. Appreciate your help with this as I have fears for my friends mental health.

[des8]

Just ignore the letters.
If on the electoral roll "not known at this address" will not work.

Is your friend receiving medical help for her condition?
If not perhaps you could nudge her towards the doctor.

[Sillysue]

Ok will do. Yes she is on medication has been for some time. Has had talking therapy and CBT. She does not seem to have improved enough to stop this behaviour though. I will help to get further assistance for this. It’s the constant anxiety that exists. I think until the letters begin and end that this will not improve.
I’m so grateful to have found this forum as was at a loss what to do next. Can’t afford a solicitor at this time.

[Sillysue]

Does anybody have any experience of how long before you get the first letter from M& S solicitor DWF.

[ostell]

I doubt if you will not be getting a letter from their solicitors.

[des8]

The medication she takes might offer an explanation for her behaviour in M&;S.
IMO she should consider telling her family about the incident as she needs all the support she can get.
Also a chat with her mental health carers, telling them of the extra pressure she is now under.
They will have heard it all before and won't be judgemental

4 to 6 weeks for first letter, but in these funny times who knows?

[Sillysue]

Thank you for your help. I am encouraging a further visit to GP and mental health professional ASAP. I had no idea how bad things had got until this happened.
She told me she didn’t sign any of the papers they asked her too. No idea really what they were. All she had was a copy of a trespass notice signed by the store manager.
They also said they had CCTV but did not show her this.They went through every inch of her bag. They even took things that were already her property saying she couldn’t prove it was her stuff.
I think it’s pretty shoddy although I suppose they don’t know the circumstances. They certainly didn’t ask questions.
I will tell her to look out in the post over the next few weeks. It’ll be like torture.
Thanks again.

[Sillysue]

Oh dear. My friend
received the first letter from DWF asking for money. £85 pounds for security costs.
I am now wondering whether she should pay this so that the letters stop. Then no longer need to keep rushing for the post.
I know it’s wrong to pay it’s just if she does won’t that be an end to it.

[Sillysue]

This letter is only 1 week after the incident. So fast work on their part.

[ostell]

so continue to ignore, but file.

If you must write then quotes the Oxford case at them.
https://legalbeagles.info/forums/for...h-and-the-lies