Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Civil Demand

[Tmatt87]

I was recently accused of shoplifting by the retailer that I worked for. I used rewards that accumulated on several different store rewards cards. These cards were scanned for those customers who do not have a card of their own. When enough money is spent using that card(by several different customers), it would print out a reward, and instead of giving the reward to a customer that doesn't ever shop there(or else they would have a card), I would keep it for myself. Just about every employee did this and even the management knew about it and did nothing. I thought it was just a sweet deal for working there. I was confronted for taking these coupons and offered to pay back the amount of the coupons($85). They wouldn't accept anything at that time. I was then terminated from the company. Do coupons coun't as merchanise for legal purposes? I have now received two civil demand letters asking for $185. Should I pay these? I have read on other forums that most of these letters are just scare tactics and almost never do they lead to civil lawsuits. Do I have a legitamate defense because that was kind of the norm at the store and management didn't do anything about it? I am the only one at the store who was terminated even though I told them that almost everyone was doing it? I just want as much advice before I do anything. Thanks for the help.

 

[StoreDetectiveVet]

I was recently accused of shoplifting by the retailer that I worked for. I used rewards that accumulated on several different store rewards cards. These cards were scanned for those customers who do not have a card of their own. When enough money is spent using that card(by several different customers), it would print out a reward, and instead of giving the reward to a customer that doesn't ever shop there(or else they would have a card), I would keep it for myself. Just about every employee did this and even the management knew about it and did nothing. I thought it was just a sweet deal for working there. I was confronted for taking these coupons and offered to pay back the amount of the coupons($85). They wouldn't accept anything at that time. I was then terminated from the company. Do coupons coun't as merchanise for legal purposes? I have now received two civil demand letters asking for $185. Should I pay these? I have read on other forums that most of these letters are just scare tactics and almost never do they lead to civil lawsuits. Do I have a legitamate defense because that was kind of the norm at the store and management didn't do anything about it? I am the only one at the store who was terminated even though I told them that almost everyone was doing it? I just want as much advice before I do anything. Thanks for the help.

Pay them, they are not "Scare tactics" what the company will do is send lawyers after you, who will then add thier fees, court costs etc. And you could be paying $1000.00+, its pretty much free money to the store. They send the lawyers, you pay.

As for the "everyone is doing it" defense, let me put it with a much more serious crime. A group of friends is gang raping a woman, you join in, do you think the "everyone else was doing it" defence would work? Of course not. So don't try it.

 

[thelawjournal]

Sure you can treat this as "scare tatic" but by the time yu fine out its not it could cost you thousands not to mention they might decide to fina criminal charges as well. The smart thing to do is pay the fine