False Accusation of Shoplifting at Lord and Taylor

My question involves criminal law for the state of: New York

Hello,
Recently, I have been wrongly accused of shoplifting at a Lord & Taylor at New York City. I have received a letter in the mail from a law firm representing Lord & Taylor stating that I have been detained and am being charged $500 for the offense. This could not have been possible, because I was still at college at the stated date of the offense. I called Lord & Taylor, explaining that this was a mistake, but they said that my identity and address was confirmed during the detainment. I have not lost any form of I.D. at all. I was thinking if it could be possible that someone stole my mail and used it as identification?

What should I do? I'm going to this Lord & Taylor in 2 days to solve the issue (btw, I have already notified them about all of this and all they told me was to come in) Is there some sort of proper proof I can provide them with?

Thank you in advance.

First of all I would not pay the fee and send Lord and Taylor proof that you were not there on the said date. Get a lawyer on contingency and ask them to subpoena the Security footage around the time the said incident took place. If indeed its a false report you should press charges for Identity Theft and for a false report since you clearly were not at the store. Now if your ID was stolen they can find the person who stole it by the security camera. My question would be why would the LP make a report when they saw that you were not the person who was being stopped?

The LP should have contacted the Police Department who would see that the subject stole your ID and they could be caught for Identity Theft. I would call the local DA and file a police report for a stolen ID if indeed your ID was stolen.

You are not obligated to pay a fee if you were not seen on camera stealing the item(s). Remember the LP has to see you the entire time from concealing the product to leaving the store. Outside cameras would show that you were not there on the date. Also you may want to send a photo of your car/license plate etc. Even a class schedule and other school documents to prove you were in school can help you.

L&T Will then drop charges if they don't continue to press charges and take them to court.

I hope this will help you.

Also, over the phone, I asked what the description was of the person that got caught stealing, and they said it was confidential. Could this maybe be some sort of scam?

And a side question:
Going to New York city is quite expensive coming from my town (about $30 round-trip), can I demand them compensation for this?

Quote:

---

Quoting travelplus

---

You are not obligated to pay a fee if you were not seen on camera stealing the item(s).

---

Incorrect.

Quote:

---

Remember the LP has to see you the entire time from concealing the product to leaving the store.

---

Incorrect.

Many shoplifters are detained, arrested and convicted of shoplifting without ever once being on camera.

The LP does not have to have you in sight the entire time nor does LP have to wait until you leave the store.

You should be far more careful in what you say. Giving wrong information helps no one.

Do you have witnesses showing you were not there? Proof you were elsewhere, credit card receipts, stuff like that? (KEEP YOUR ORIGINALS, but bring them and a set of copies, do not let originals out of your sight).

If so, then I would keep that meeting....

And retain a lawyer before hand. And bring the lawyer with you.

Yes I do have witnesses; my girlfriend and my mom. I was actually working at my mom's restaurant the date this happened, the only problem is that my mom pays me off the book, so there would be no official documentation that I was there working, unless a written note is valid.

Quote:

---

Quoting TheColossus

---

Yes I do have witnesses; my girlfriend and my mom. I was actually working at my mom's restaurant the date this happened, the only problem is that my mom pays me off the book, so there would be no official documentation that I was there working, unless a written note is valid.

---

Witnesses count. Witnesses that are not family count more. Any regulars willing to testify?

Thank you, but I dont think I am bringing this issue to court just yet. Should I not at least wait till after I go meet with LP in 2 days and see if they'll withdraw the charges?

Quote:

---

Quoting TheColossus

---

Thank you, but I dont think I am bringing this issue to court just yet. Should I not at least wait till after I go meet with LP in 2 days and see if they'll withdraw the charges?

---

Okay.

Bring an attorney with you. Anything you say to them WILL be recorded and CAN be used against you.

Normally, I would say this is a really bad idea.

Quote:

---

Quoting TheColossus

---

Also, over the phone, I asked what the description was of the person that got caught stealing, and they said it was confidential. Could this maybe be some sort of scam?

And a side question:
Going to New York city is quite expensive coming from my town (about $30 round-trip), can I demand them compensation for this?

---

Im sorry I just wanted to follow up on this