Completely agree. Wholesalers do routinely check batches of papers where either they have been instructed to carry out random checks, or where there is a financial gain to be had from stores removing coupons and using them improperly (for example in order to gain a free product with the voucher or to obtain credit back for something which they haven't actually 'sold' to a customer). In the latter cases, I have known retailers to be either re-charged, refused credit, or, rarely, to actually be prosecuted for fraud, so it is important to know whether this incident was instigated by the wholesaler catching the retailer out, or the employer acting independently of any wholesaler investigation. I have also known wholesaler members of staff to be summarily dismissed for doing exactly this. In Post #1 I would be very concerned at the suggestion that it is considered OK to remove 'Free Bottle of Pop' coupons and to pass them to others to commit an act of fraud, and where there is a real monetary value attached to the redemption of the coupon. Copies of papers and magazines in the staff room should also always be paid for first - never mind that there may not have been enough supplements with the papers - that usually happens where there is a late-breaking story and extra papers are printed but it is too late to print additional magazines to go with them. The papers are still charged as 'stock' to the store and are supposed to be displayed beneath those that do have supplements so that the publisher benefits from the added interest in the front-cover story - it is normally against the rules to have any stock items kept in staff areas which are then returned for credit. Whilst your previous FWW may now have been expunged, I would be concerned at how you keep falling into acts of dishonesty (albeit at the relatively minor end of the scale) and why you didn't learn to be squeaky clean after the last incident. If you are going to stand any chance of redeeming this, you are going to have to explain what, and who, led you to believe that this practice was acceptable. You will stand a better chance if the investigation was on the employer's part rather than being generated by any wholesaler refusal of credit.

Having previously worked for a newspaper wholesaler for over 10 years I can advise that in theory credit would be refused for unsold papers returned minus the vouchers. In reality however this would involve each paper being manually checked prior to scanning using whatever system the wholesaler uses which is totally impractical. This would only happen either under instruction from the publisher which is very rare and would only be a small percentage of all retailers or secondly where you have specfic suspicions of this activity going on.

I had to fight Minicredit through FOS and the one thing that really pushed the balance in my favour was the fact I contacted Minicredit as soon as knew I was in difficulty. So email them with your proposals of repayment asap as they have to show compassion towards debtors in financial difficulties!!!! lol They wont and that is the one of the main things the FOS didnt like! Be prepared for a rough ride but use all the info on this forum and you can and will beat this company.

I very strongly disagree with this kind of advice. I also think it is very dangerous too. The best & most effective way is the " no contact " rule. You immediately flag yourself up as a target if you use the WOIRA / doorstep collectors . There has recently been a spate of search warrants issued to people using WOIRA as a method of trying to keep the TVL out. There is absolutely no " loophole" in the law either. You are not legally required to inform or contact TVL & furnish them with any information. It really is that simple. I have had 2 visits in 5 years. I just don`t answer the door to them. I throw the letters in the bin & don`t waste time or energy on the subject. The " advice" in your post is absolutely guaranteed to flag yourself up to TVL as a person who wants to " take them on".

Hi, Your mum needs to stop the Direct Debit to Lowell's, the Direct Debit scheme can easily be abused and your mums Bank Account possibly could be emptied overnight. Your mum needs to set up a Standing Order so that she is in complete control of her Bank Account, use Lowell's Bank Details and Lowell's Reference to set this up herself either in Branch, over the phone or online. Is your mum on full pension and retired? You posted she was 70 years old. Is this £50.23 taking a lot out of your mums income? If so this needs to be dropped, if only on a Government pension then drop it to £1 a month. Food and heating is far more important. Lowell's will chuck toys out of the pram but as long as money is being paid (even £1) then any claim will be laughed out of Court. Are Lowell adding any interest or charges? Also, do not speak on the phone, do everything in writing, if they ring refuse to go through any DPA Questions and say "in writing only" and hang up. Stigman