Caught shoplifting at sears, no police involved, must pay fine?

Question

18, caught shoplifting, no police were called, only told i must pay a fine to cover the costs of the security guards time. when will this letter come? what will be on the outside of the envolope? from who? i don't want my parents wondering what it is.. so i want to know what the letter will be labeled.. also how do i pay this fine? do i send money? can i go to the bank? how?

Answer 1

Might want to add a thank you note to Sears for not having your but arrested.

Might be good for your parents to know how you spend your mall visits as well.

Personal responsibility, if the worst thing that happens is you pay a fine and your parents find out..... you should be a very thankfull girl.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I would not ignore the letter. I would pay the "fine."

While it is true that Sears has no authority to fine you, the "fine" and the letter might be framed in terms of an out of court settlement of a civil claim that Sears could assert against you.

Sears is a wealthy corporation with full-time lawyers, and if it thinks it can do this, it is because its lawyers have told it so. You do not want Sears to either have you prosecuted for a crime or sue you in civil court for their loss (the security guard's time). In that case you will still lose and it will cost you more time and more money.

The envelope will probably have the Sears name on it, and the most ominous looking thing it could also have is something that indicates it is from their security department or claims department or legal department or something like that. THis is just a guess. BUt it should not have any kind of government or police or court name on the outside of the envelope--because Sears is not the government.

It could also be that the letter wil never come, that this is a scare tactic, or if they actually do this, they never get around to it in your case.

I guess you have learned that shoplifiting is not a good business to be in.

Answer 4

Although you are VERY wrong for shop lifting, the store security has NO authorization to fine you... Fines are established by the courts not rent a cops. Ignore the letter, but learn something from this happening... You were very lucky that the police wasn't called but again the store's rent a cops have no authority what so ever. They can not even legally detain you unless they place you under citizens arrest... They are not law enforcement officers but many think they are. Even the "off duty" police officers working in the store can not do anymore then place you under citizens arrest until an "on duty" police officer arrives.

To all who thumbs down me for saying Sears can NOT impose a fine on you.. A court of law is the ONLY place that can impose a fine... I don't know where you people seem to think that a department store security dept has any authority what so ever to do such a thing and you are completely mis-informed.. Obviously if i told you I was going to fine you for illegally parking in front of my house I would suppose you would pay this? A fine HAS to be imposed by a court where you have a chance to defend the charges.

Or maybe all the thumbs downs are coming from those same security officers who think you have that power... Got news for you.. you don't.... so go on your way and fill your self importance else where as you are simply an employeee of the company... Those who say they are afraid of sears lawyers.. OMG you have to be kidding me.. There has to be legal grounds to impose a fine and that is done in a court of law not in the back office of SEARS or by an attorney of Sears.. The Judge would laugh those attorneys out of court as they should know the law.

Answer 5

I doubt you will get a letter. I have a friend that is a Loss Prevention Officer for Sears and they either call the police or warn you. If you get the letter, then go from there. I do know that Sears lawyers are one of few that show up in bankruptcy court to secure payments to them. (happened to my daughter).

Answer 6

most likely the letter will simply have a sears label on it for a return address. If they don't have your parents name it will most likely be addressed to you. The infformation on how to pay the fine should be included in the letter. They may also just be bullshitting you about the letter in an effort to scare you straight. if the letter doesn't show up within a week or 2 don't worry about it

Answer 7

Hi Crossfire- This is new to me Im from Canada but lately Ive seeing alot of these questions on yahoo . They say to pay fine to prevent a criminal record. If you dont pay it goes to police so its your choice to either pay & keep it off your record or risk being charged by store & have it on your criminal record.I have been told on Y/A there is only one store in Canada that practices this.

Answer 8

Yes, it will be labeled. Next time no more shoplifting if you care what your parents think of you. How you pay is by going wherever the letter says to go, and paying by however the letter says they'll accept payment.

Answer 9

The letter will answer your "how" questions. You have to answer the "WHY" questions yourself. And if your parents don't know, you have to ask "How long can I keep up the lie before they find out through other means?" And THEN where do you go from there? I suggest you need to do some serious soul searching before you shrug this off. It is time to stop this aberrant behavior NOW before you develop some really bad habits.

Answer 10

HI IGOT CAUGHT THAY SAID I CANT COME BACK IF I DOTHAY SAID I AM TRASSPACE AND THE SAID HAVE TO PAY THE TOOL I GAVE THEM BACK THAY SAID I HAVE TO PAID FOR IT BUT TEAY KEEP THE TOOL