John Lewis - Caught Shoplifting/banned - paid for goods and they kept them! -Will a letter be sent for more money?

[Sarah patty]

My sister was recently caught shoplifting in the U.K. She has received a banning notice (a copy for shop was signed and another signed copy given to her).

 

She paid in full for the goods. She is incredibly remorseful and wants to use this as a point of change for her generally messed up life but is terrified that the shop may contact her further or involve the police after the event. They also knows where she works and she is worried they may contact her employer.

 

Can anyone let us know the likely hood of any of these things happening. Thanks in advance

[BankFodder]

It is extremely unlikely that these things will happen. You should tell her not to worry but if her life really is that messed up then maybe she should go and see her GP and maybe get a referral.

It's extremely fortunate that she is prepared to talk to you and presumably you are a trusted sister and that makes a big difference.

Encourage her to keep on being open about her problems and also if any of this kind of thing happens again.

A word of warning, it's easy to feel very remorseful when one is still reeling from the shock. Down the road when it all seems to have smoothed over, it can stop being a problem again.
That's why it would be worth starting to talk to a professional

[Sarah patty]

Thank you for your reply. Well she was in quite a state so couldn’t really hide it. Yes she needs help but right now I’m trying to calm her down. As she paid in the shop £216 before she left, is it likely that she will get a civil recovery letter?

 

My sister has been caught shoplifting. She received a ban in store. No police. Paid for the items £216 but left them with shop for resale as she was so ashamed. We are trying to find out for her if she is likely to receive one of those letters that ask for money (given she paid in store). 

[BankFodder]

No it's most unlikely but if she does then she should ignore it and you should come here

[honeybee13]

Hi.

 

I've merged your threads, please keep your questions to this one, to avoid confusion.

 

HB

[Sarah patty]

Ah sorry. New to this site. Thank you and thanks for your help. She’s in a right state about it. I can’t even be cross about it atm

[honeybee13]

Well, as BF said, your sister needs professional help to start dealing with this.

 

To answer your question there could be correspondence from a firm that deals with retail loss prevention, or possibly some solicitors like DWF but they aren't part of the legal system and we never recommend paying them.

 

Your sister needs to see this as a lucky escape and work on changing her life, as you say. If she shoplifts again, it's likely to be worse next time.

 

HB

[dx100uk]

you totally ignore any letters she might ever get

they are totally powerless.

 

no-one has any power whatsoever to contact anyone, least of all employers. nor demand money, the likes of rlp and dwf are just scammers that go on about civil recovery. ignore ignore ignore

 

and no they dont show on credit files either

 

forget it all

get her to see the doctor in confidence

and move on.

 

type in rlp or dwf in our search top right.

 

dx

 

[Sarah patty]

Thank you. Do you think it helped that she paid in full before leaving and then left the goods with the staff? As in not receiving any letters (banning notice was issued on the spot) as recompense has already been made. It was in John Lewis 

[dx100uk]

paid in full AND they kept the goods!!

 

dx

 

[Sarah patty]

Yes she was absolutely terrified and ashamed. She wanted to show good will. Do you think that will satisfy them as to not trying to get any more recompense?

[dx100uk]

what!

 

go demand the goods they are HERS

or 

get that moneyback

or

do a chargeback to her bank.

 

they accuse her of theft and then steal her paid for good themselves!!

 

dx

 

[Sarah patty]

She wants to hide and never go near John Lewis again

[BlueNoseBear1987]

I'd go back with her and demand her goods she paid for be giving to her.

 

Or chargeback at the bank.  As dx suggests 

[Sarah patty]

I get it but she is traumatised by the whole incident.

She’s not going to do that.

 

She just wants your opinion on whether they may still send her one of those letters.

Does the shop do that or is it an external company?

She’s scared as has a husband, kids and doesn’t want them to know if a letter arrives.

She also admitted to me that she has stolen from them before and feel ok about the payment as a form of repay 

[honeybee13]

Might I suggest you re-read our answers above please? I think they answer at least some of your questions.

 

You could do that and then come back with any remaining questions.

 

HB

[dx100uk]

John Lewis do not use Retail loss Prevention Firms so she wont get any letters.

no retailer would ever be remotely interested in joe public (or jane) doing what she has done.

they are only ever concerned with prosecuting or helping too theft by the organised Gangs that use shoplifting to fund drug habits.

 

she wont here anything else.