Have you ever heard of any retailers following up on suing for unpaid civil claims?
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Have you ever heard of any retailers following up on suing for unpaid civil claims?
I was stopped at an incident in retail store for suspected shoplifting. No police were called; the store simply got my information. No admission of guilt or anything. I had the store’s merchandise without a receipt (which I already had when I came into the store). They simply said I couldn’t come back for 3 years but I just received a letter of a “civil claim” against me demanding money. I read on-line on several places saying that the retailer could sue but no one has ever heard of it really happening for ignoring these letters.
Asked on October 13, 2010 under Bankruptcy Law, California
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
These civil demands are routinely made but rarely, if ever, acted upon. In other words your chances of being sued are virtually zero. So you can ignore this letter if you want. Be aware, if you don't pay after this first letter you will get second, and it will request an even higher amount. Again, you can choose to ignore it. If, however, you do decide to make payment, pay no more than $50 (plus the retail value of any merchandise that may have been too damaged for them to re-sell). I would put this in a letter to them; don't speak with them directly. These people or notorious for their threatening and intimidating tactics.
Note: If this is the one time that a store does follow through, again try and negotiate something with them. They don't want to go to court any more than you do. Especially in a case such as this.
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