Sainsbury’s Appeal

[DiorAnastia]

Hi guys

My best friend was accidentally caught stealing at Sainsbury’s (I know sounds crazy) but she’s been going through bereavement and has been crazy forgetful recently. She accidentally took an item (corned beef) that she didn’t need, tried explaining it’s a whole misunderstanding and she can pay for it even though she doesn’t need it, but they wasn’t budging. She cooperated and has received a letter fine of £150 that she can not pay at the moment due to paying for funeral fees. Someone randomly called her stating she would need to pay but my friend has been wanting to appeal, which she was told previously she could. The person she spoke to on the phone even sounded stupid or slow, like they didn’t know their job role. When she asked who to contact regarding appealing, the person couldn’t help which was VERY strange. They were very unprofessional, not as in being rude but just not having any lights on upstairs. As she doesn’t want to continue receiving letters plus her dad literally just died last week, what’s the best thing to do? Any idea of emails or numbers for appeals or just keep ignoring the letters?

Many thanks

[PallasAthena]

It is not a fine. Only courts can fine people. It's an attempt by a private company to get her to pay money alleging it's to cover security costs. I'll guess it's from DWF. They have no legal right to demand payment so don't pay them. Did Sainsburys take the corned beef back? If so as it was a tin of something Sainsburys could put it back on the shelf and sell it so they have lost nothing.

There is no such thing as a right of appeal with these people. They are only interested in getting your friend's money for themselves. They won't take it to court because they know they would lose. Your friend should just ignore their letters, DWF have no legal powers at all, zero. Don't bother "appealing" or complaining, waste of time, won't change anything.

Search DWF on here to see other people's experiences. She'll get another 3 or 4 threatening letters but she should ignore them all. Eventually they stop. If your friend gets concerned about them when they arrive post them up on this thread (after covering up all personal information that could identify her, including DWF reference numbers) and we can comment.

Did she get banned from Sainsburys as well? That's what usually happens. Sainsburys are entitled to ban people if they want to.