Menacing letter from dwf

[Beeright]

We're a law abiding pensioners who regularly shop at Sainsbury(among other shops) in october as we paid our bill at the checkout and were about to leave a security guard pounced on my partner and said he put something in his bag. He immediately realised his mistake. They refused to accept he genuinly forgot(tiny toy for grandson)they left me on my own (eventhough i had a disability lanyard).He reappeard after what seemed ages with a letter banning him.I wanted to email them to explain he suffers from some memory loss and gets confused but i didn't get around it. Today he revieved a letter demanding £150(security costs)saying- "we require payment during the next14days to avoid further recovery action being taken."what to do?

[echat11]

Hi BEERIGHT

Firstly don't stress yourself over it.

It's probably just an 'overzealous' security guard who has targets to meet. They can't justify any amount, so what you have received is a speculative invoice with no breakdown. You need to ignore the letter. You will get further letters, just ignore them to. Update the thread if you need too. If you want to write to Sainsbury's to explain, you still can do that.

[Beeright]

Thank you for your swift reply. They do break it down to the value of the toy but the total is still the security cost of £150 because the toy was retrieved anyway. But you suggest to ignore the letter?will the solicitors actually pursue him?We're worried and my partner thought to just pay it while i feel it's unjustified.

[des8]

It always surprises me that a firm of solicitors will write these letters demanding money for costs which they know cannot be claimed through the courts.
The letters are just below the level you could call threatening and you can read the garbage they send out here: https://legalbeagles.info/forums/for...rs-rlp-and-dwf

These people are nothing better than out of control vigilantes who set themselves up as judge, jury & executioner.
Just ignore them and eventually they go away.

One of these firms tried court a few years ago. They sued a couple who admitted stealing.
They sought "security costs" and got a flea in their ear from the judge..... never been there since

[Beeright]

Thank you so much, it's reassuring .

[echat11]

Thank you for your swift reply. They do break it down to the value of the toy but the total is still the security cost of £150 because the toy was retrieved anyway. But you suggest to ignore the letter?will the solicitors actually pursue him?We're worried and my partner thought to just pay it while i feel it's unjustified.

Do not pay it, you haven't done anything wrong. A genuine mistake. If you want to do something write to Sainsbury asking for an apology, I'd be embarrassed if I was Sainsburys. I'd be well annoyed if I tried to explain what happened, but they wouldn't listen.

[des8]

Please do not pay them.
It only encourages them to harass others.

There was no intention to steal ..therefor no theft
Goods were recovered in saleable condition...therefore no loss
Security staff were doing the job they are paid to do anyway... therefore no security costs.

They lie and they threaten and they are full of wind and p**s.

Let them waste their money writing stupid letters,
See them for what they are and ignore them

[DE DOGS]

Give them a peaked hat and a bunch of keys. WOW look at me I`m above all you lot.