Feel like I've ruined my future career prospects - just been issued RLP in TKMaxx

[jgarnet]

Hi everyone,

 

Thank you for all the posts and advice on other threads - I have read through them diligently over the last 5 hours, but I am still terrified and feeling downright ridiculous and am more concerned with the 'integrity screening' repercussions from future potential employers.

 

I was in TKMaxx earlier and removed a face bronzer from it's packet and repeated that action with a nail varnish before putting them both in my bag. I was stopped outside the shop by security and escorted to the back office where I admitted to the theft, returned the items which amounted to about £12, offered to pay for them which was declined and was asked for ID. I presented my passport and student ID card and was warned to expect an RLP letter to my home address. I signed the form banning me from entry into all TKMaxx and Homesense stores.

 

I am a 23 year old female student, recently on antidepressants (no excuse, but feel like I am totally losing touch with myself and my principles) and this is the first time this has ever happened. In my panic I volunteered my student ID card as I had no proof of address and they noted down my university name and registration number. After studying for so many years and having student debt up to my eyeballs I am now horrified at the thought that Cireco and associated integrity screening databases could render all my hardwork (and debt) useless because of this frikking awful incident.

 

For all of you who have been very helpful on other posts and are in the know (scarlettpimpernel, 2grumpy, dx, honeybee and the rest), I would so appreaciate having your advice on the following:

 

1) I understand that Asda, Superdrug, Tesco, Iceland and Boots have access to Cireco's "dishonest database" however can anyone tell me which other non-retail clients RLP have? On their website they mention communications and finance companies as part of their client group.

 

2) I am in the process of my graduate applications which will include those to law firms (painfully ironic) for grad schemes, government and civil service fast track schemes and grad schemes within the EU, UN and domestic politics. Apparently my name will be on the "dishonesty database" for 6 years so I am almost convinced at the moment that my idiotic actions will have cost me employment in the future due to screening in recruitment processes. I appreciate that this is a dramatic assumption, however I know I will be subject to high-screening for the roles as trainee lawyer, MP staff etc. Does anyone with law/civil service/RLP background know how much of my career I have actually sacrificed?

 

3) Considering that my priority is my career and therefore not wanting to draw attention to my name on the database, I think I will pay the fine. I understand 99.999% of you will think this completely unnecessary, but I do not want to be remembered or risk anything more that could damage my future any further. Therefore, my question is once I have paid the fine/contribution/office xmas drinks, will RLP come running back for more money?

 

To be completely honest, even though I don't really have the money I can borrow it from my partner and my guilt/shame will be slightly eased by paying for it and not having to worry about my parents opening countless letters from RLP while I am at uni. (I gave them my home address in my panic - so so stupid.)

 

4) After volunteering my university info and registration number, could RLP notify my university or use that information against me in any way in the future regarding screenings, asking for more money etc?

 

5) I have a part-time job in a boutique clothes shop and I very much enjoy the work and am a loyal, honest employee. Could TKMaxx/ RLP notify my work place of this incident?

 

Lastly, (and thank you very much for reading this far), I understand this is not a criminal affair but anything that stands against my name could be very damaging, so anyone in a similar situation or with any knowledge about the scope or effect of integrity screening processes for future employment as a lawyer or civil servant, please please please come to my rescue.

 

I am too ashamed to tell my parents - it's not how I was raised.

 

Many Thanks

 

Jerry

[ScarletPimpernel]

First things first: we aren't here to judge you. Neither, despite what they may say, are RLP. We do not know why you did what you did, and you may not know yourself. We do know that you offered to pay for the goods, and that they were returned, so the shop has suffered no loss.

 

You said it yourself - this is not a criminal matter. If TK Maxx were genuinely interested in dealing with crime, they'd have involved the police, who are the proper authority for dealing with theft.

 

As for the risible Cireco database - don't worry about it. Do a bit of research, and you'll see that it's utterly ridiculous. It is extremely unlikely that any serious employer would pay to access this nonsense. I don't think we've ever heard of anyone who has been affected by Cireco, despite it's pretence at being some sort of CIA-stylee resource. There are some serious questions as to the legitimacy of Cireco's database, but they are for another time.

 

You have probably gathered already that if you get a speculative invoice from RLP, you just send a short note as follows:

 

 

Dear Jackie

 

I refer to your letter dated xxxxx. Any liability to you or any company you claim to represent is denied. No further correspondence will be entered into.

 

Yours etc.

 

Ignore anything else from RLP. Don't forget to keep their amusingly ridiculous letters, if only to remind, when you are a lawyer, of the sort of company you might have ended up working for if you hadn't worked hard at school. Paying them only encourages their bullying. Have the moral courage to be better than they are, and stand up to them.

 

If you are concerned about what happened, and why you did it, have a chat with your uni student welfare people - they won't be surprised, and will be able to help you. I doubt your parents' reaction will be anywhere near as bad as you think, either.

[jgarnet]

Dear ScarletPimpernel

 

Thank you very much for your prompt, helpful and sympathetic response. You have made me smile for the first time today. So, just to clarify (and I imagine this is really tedious for you), if I do not pay, I will not be more at risk to future career repurcussions? Even if it goes to court (which I know is a very slim chance)?

 

Thank you again and hope you enjoy your Saturday evening

[dx100uk]

no you wont!!

 

ignore the little darlings!!

 

 

dx

[jgarnet]

Thanks dx!

[Bang!]

Visit here...

 

http://www.ico.gov.uk/ESDWebPages/search.asp

 

and enter this registration Z8131406 for RLP as subsidiary Cireco are not registered. Anyway, apparently someone was entered on their register as they disliked the way he looked in Morrisons - so I don't really think anyone is going to take it seriously when far better resources such as criminal records can be checked.

 

I would not expect your eduction establishment to be covered by "personal details" so its looking like RLP would be breaking the law to store/process that information.

 

You took £12 worth - you b@st@rd!!! :D:D This is less than the average politician was caught for in the expenses fiasco.

 

Realistically you had a little kleptomania during a vulnerable time rather than being a budding Ronnie Biggs! It might be an idea to mention it to your doctor given what you said about medication.

 

So it's a tiny error - and does not entitle anyone to mistreat you.

[jgarnet]

Thank you, Bang!, I will have a look now. Sincerely appreciate your words and advice and reassurance.

[ScarletPimpernel]

We know that RLP read these forums, if only to see what the nasty people are saying about them. If you've used your real name as your username, OP, hit the report button and ask for it to be changed. Desperate middle-aged women wih delusions of grandeur can sometimes be vindictive...

[Bang!]

@ScarletPimpernel Did she get in touch?

[Boofie]

Hello

 

If you are ever CRB checked as part of the application process for the jobs which you apply for, RLP (or Cireco whatever they call themselves) does not featured on the check, even on an enhanced disclosure. From memory, police reprimands and cautions are included, alongside convictions of course. There is also an entry from the Department of Education, relating to teachers who might have been struck off, and a further section where the Chief Constable can use their discretion to make additional comments. As for RLP, nothing.......it has no standing in a CRB check.

[ScarletPimpernel]

Nor, incidentally, does DBS National Security Vetting use Cireco's silly database. Then again, who would trust information supplied by a shop security guard for any serious purpose?

[jgarnet]

Thank you, Boofie for your very informative response. You guys have all really helped so much. And thanks for the heads up RE the username. Have a great week, all.