Accused of “Shoplifting” at B&Q now CRS want to 'scam' fine me. Please help

[Helpmeplz123]

Hi all,

I just received a Letter from the CRS regarding a shoplifting incident at b&q although I wasn’t shoplifting

I was accused of it due to my own negligence (left a tape measure in my pocket)

either way they have sent a fine etc stating if I pay £96 or something they’ll do it as a early settlement etc.

I know most the people on a previous thread say completely ignore them but I just want to know if the law has changed since that thread hasn’t been updated since 2019.

My mother is a barrister and I don’t want her to find out about this even though I never actually shop lifted or anything.

I wasn’t always the most sensible teen growing up so I know she’d find it hard to believe I haven’t fallen back to old ways and the issue with ignoring them is the multiple letters they’re bound to send she will surely find one so I’m in 2 minds to just pay it.

Even though I’d rather not as it was only a £14 item and it was returned undamaged along with its packaging and more then likely put back on the shelf for sale so no damages or cots were incurred to b&q.

Plus what’s the risk of getting a CCJ if I was too ignore them ? 

please let me know asap what you think as there’s a time limit set on the letter for the settlement fee.

Thank you all.

I just see this as karma for past mistakes I’ve done so if the best course is just to pay the fine and get it over with then I will. 

[dx100uk]

where have you ever got the idea from that it's a FINE???

there is nothing anyone can do to you.

it's a scam ...end of.

just read the numerous threads here with RLP or DWF in the thread title.

dx

 

[Ethel Street]

9 hours ago, Helpmeplz123 said:

Plus what’s the risk of getting a CCJ if I was too ignore them ? 

Zero. It's impossible for you to get a CCJ from these people.  They are not a court, they have no legal powers, and cannot issue a CCJ. The clue is in the name: CCJ = County Court Judgement, so only a County Court could find you liable to pay this scamming charge, and even then you'd only get a CCJ if you ignored the Court's judgement and didn't pay it.

We know of no case where these people have taken anyone to court. In the HIGHLY UNLIKELY event they took legal action they would have to follow correct legal procedures, follow the 'pre action protocols' etc. If you received those you'd come back here and tell us what's happening so we could help you win.

[fkofilee]

These the guys with PayCRS.com as their Website?

They do have a litigation outfit called AJJB Law which they use. So they may push it legal 

[dx100uk]

zero retailers have raised a civil restoration case since the fatal one in 2015 was it or 2012 cant remember.

 

wont happen 

forget about it and get on with your life ignore everything.

 

dx

 

[fkofilee]

Agree with you @dx100uk

But I do know that CRS do like to get a little handsy with some cases. 

You should be safe for now OP. Just keep an eye out for any correspondence 

[Helpmeplz123]

Yeah I read all the other posts but just wanted to check as it’s been 4/5 years since then was unsure if any cases had happened in the meantime.

In terms of it being a fine the bloke who accused me of shoplifting was sound in a sense said he was ex police of 20 years blah blah and he mentioned you can choose to ignore the “fine” where then bailiffs would come or just pay it

I know it’s probably just an intimidation tactic but thought it be best to check with you all since you’ve been dealing with it for years obviously. 
 

I’ll post the actual letter I’ve received and then follow your advice on whether to ignore it or pay, as a fine of £96 is ridiculous for a £14 tape measure which was returned in its original state. 
 

Pdf Crs.pdf

[dx100uk]

it is not a fine only a court can ever fine anyone .

and of course bailiffs can never just show up at your door without a court judgement first!

and there wont be one of those ever!

forget it

move on with your life

dx

[Helpmeplz123]

cheers mate appreciate that I guess I’ll just riP this letter up and ignore them then I doubt they’d even contact b&q to continue the matter into legal proceedings over a £14 item lol. 
 

do you have any idea how many letters / how long the duration of them trying to contact me will last? 
 

but I appreciate all the help and advice 

[dx100uk]

and ukcrs are not even FCA registered...naughty naughty..

can't say on the letters but typically we never hear back from anyone that had RLP or DWF etc chasing again.

bunch of scammers anyway. the retailer wont see a penny of any money and they'll be off down the pub laughing all the way

the retailer probably doesn't even know they've sent it as its a corp thing signed upto at the top level not locally whilst playing golf probably.

dx

 

 

[Ethel Street]

Don't rip the letter up.  Ignore it, yes, but best to keep it just in case you ever need to refer to it. Shove it somewhere where your mother won't find it and forget about it.

[Helpmeplz123]

Yeah figured as much ,

when I was there the security guard said it’s a 30 day ban etc then everything gets erased this whole incident/ report & picture

first time I ever went to b&q

doesn’t really bother me I’ll just ignore all the letters

if my mum does see one I’ll just say I got no clue what there on about it must be a scam

Just hope I don’t become the case they want to follow through on after all these years lol. 

when I receive the next letter I’ll post it onto here and so on.

So I’ll keep you all updated hopefully these scammers give up fast.

Out of curiosity have you ever known anyone Personally to have been chased by the CRS onto legal proceedings ? 

[fkofilee]

Arh so it's not the CRS I thought it was...  

Agree with Ethel and DX... Safe to ignore 100%

[Helpmeplz123]

@fkofilee Is there multiple different types of CRS?

I’m assuming you’ve seen the picture and from your reply this is just a money making scheme then?

[fkofilee]

Oh yes, there is another firm called CRS based in Halifax who do Debt Collection quite badly, but tend to be quite litigious... 

These clowns are not the CRS I was thinking off. 

 

[Helpmeplz123]

Hi all, 

the second letter from CRS has arrived from them recently, I’m just wondering is it still completely safe to ignore it ? Or should I do something about it? as they are talking about court proceedings etc. 
 

Please see the attached letter below.

 

thank you. 

IMG_7795.pdf

[AndyOrch]

59 minutes ago, Helpmeplz123 said:

Or should I do something about it?

What did you have in mind ? don't respond only makes them feel important........ignore they will soon move on and find another numpty.

B&Q have no intention of litigating prob dont even know about the incident and  CRS cant litigate it its not their loss.

[dx100uk]

read it properly

does not say WILL anywhere

and does not say they have been instructed by B&Q to do anything.

 

hamster bedding

 

dx

 

[Parks123]

Hi.

With regards to timescales I was apprehended by store security earlier this year. T

ook 3 weeks before first letter came from civil loss company.

In total got 3 letters off them.

All went quiet for a few months and then received letter from a debt recovery company.

Have been advised to ignore.

Common wording in all letters is "{removed - dx}, may, reserves right to" etc etc.

I do wonder with shoplifting being so big in news at the moment if another legal case may be set however after the last disastrous (for the retailer) court case (quite a few years ago) surely they would only pick a dead cert?

Any opinions on this? 

[dx100uk]

7 hours ago, Parks123 said:

Common wording in all letters is "will, may, reserves right to" etc etc.

the letters do not say WILL anywhere and never do.

 

as for the present in the news shoplifting stuff.

again people need to read things properly!!

face recognition etc is to do with those cases where the POLICE are the instigators in charging the person and latterly CPS in prosecuting...NOT private security in retail stores. 

dx

 

 

[Parks123]

Hi. Apologies - thank you for the correction. I shouldn't have put "will" in my piece above. That is one word they certainly do not use. 

Thank you. 

[dx100uk]

removed

dx

[stevenkenny]

Any update on this?

[Parks123]

Hi. Not yet.

Fully expecting another letter anyday now.

Not sure how many letters the debt recovery company will send.

Does anyone else know or what the next stage might be after the debt recovery letters?

I wonder if they will go back to the store / retailer and advise them to go down the court route or not bother. 

As soon as I hear more I will update this post. 

 

 

[honeybee13]

Since what's known as the Oxford case about 10 years ago retailers haven't done court for lesser cases of shoplifting. We have a forum sticky thread on it but I can't post a link from my phone. 

@stevenkennyif you want our advice please start a new topic of your own. 

HB