Hidden Surveillance Cameras at Bloomingdale's Fitting Room

**Pasadena1976** · 04-05-2009, 07:07 PM

( I am 32 yrs old, State of California , No prior criminal record)

Hello.
About 1 week ago i was caught shoplifting $25 worth of underwear at Bloomingdale's, at that day i spent there 300$. The problem is that they could not see me on the store cameras because I put the underwear on at the fitting room.
I heard the LP guy telling on the phone to his supervisor that he saw me removing the price tag which I did in the fitting room, and I also took the pair of jeans with me to the fitting room with the little leather key chain on and I hang it on my jeans ( two months ago i bought the same pair of jeans from Bloomingdales without that key chain ) , that’s all happened at fitting room, of course I did not steal the jeans just put them back on the hanger. I was taken to a room and returned the underwear and the key chain. They got my information ( SSN, copy of my ID, my Macy’s and Bloomingdale's credit cards copies ) and I had to sign a paper saying if i return to Bloomingdale's it would be trespassing. I was told that i will receive a letter in the mail from The Zellman Group requesting no more than $600. They told me that if i didn’t pay, i'll be in trouble. The police were not involved, i was not handcuffed or fingerprinted, however they did take my picture, I’ve been told that it’s for their own record. I was dealing with the them for about 20 min. Then i was released.
I was ashamed of what i did but I find the information on web that in California hidden surveillance cameras are not allowed by the law in such a places like fitting rooms and rest rooms.
I know that I did the wrong thing but in my opinion the right to privacy cannot be sacrificed for the protection of another person's right to property.
My question is if anyone has been in the same situation and can I sue Bloomingdale's or The Zellman Group for braking the California law?
Thank you for any help.

jk · 04-05-2009, 08:08 PM

was there a sign stating the rooms may be under video surveillance?

Whether you were under surveillance or not does not alter the fact you committed a crime and are liable for your actions.

So, what proof do you have to a camera in the room? You may suspect it but what proof do you have?

**Pasadena1976** · 04-07-2009, 12:44 AM

No, there was no sign.

I don't have any proof that they have cameras but like i said, the LP guy saw me puting underwear on, removing the tag and taking that key chain from the jeans and thats all happened in the fitting room.

**cdwjava** · 04-07-2009, 08:39 AM

He could have been inside the room - followed you in, perhaps. The slats on those doors are pretty easy to look through.

They are generally not permitted to have cameras IN the surveillance room.

However, you can refuse to pay the civil demand when it comes and wait to see if they take you to civil court for the money. If so, then they will have an attorney that will present their case, and you will have ... you ... since it will be small claims, you won't be able to use an attorney.

I suppose you can call the police and ask them to look into the matter ... but, you are still stuck with that little problem of your theft. Calling the cops might result in them getting involved in your theft. So, it's a judgment call on your part.

- Carl

**Lucian** · 04-07-2009, 12:14 PM

They don't have cameras in the fitting rooms. When you select merchandise
and take it into the fitting room, and then come out without it, they go check the fitting room to see if the stuff is there. If it's not they can legally stop you to find out where there property is. I believe it's probable cause to stop you.