Caught Shoplifting At Sears

I am 17 years old and at about the end of June I was caught shoplifing from Sears in Ontario, Canada. It was a $30 shirt and as I got out of the store a guy from sears security asked me for the shirt and i gave it to him and he brought me back through the store to this back room. There he asked me questions like address and phone number and i told him the truth. Then I waited in the room for a bit and a cop walked in, he asked me why I did it and things like that. He said since it was my first time i would not be charged and that I have been warned and how if I do it again I would be in trouble. Then he just drove me home and that was it. Then about 3 weeks later i get a civil demand letter from Sears saying i have to pay $500 to sears and if i don't they may take legal action. What is this $500 dollars for exactly and do i have to pay it?How legally binding is this charge Sears has gave me? I think this is just Sears trying to get money off people and is a scam because i dont know how they came up with $500 and i don't think they would take me to court if i didn't pay it. Thanks and please give me some advice and information regarding this situation.

Here's information (PDF format) on civil demands in Ontario.

After reading this the $500 is supposed to be for thier security costs but i dont know how they came up with $500. Should i just ignore this letter since it is rare that they will actaully take me to court and have to prove that they lost $500?

Where did you get that info? If you fail to pay they can triple the fine. They can also take you to court and sue you for even more plus court cost. Thsi will also go on your credit rating which could prevent you from buying a home, car etc. If you can't pay it all now make payment arrangement to risk to your financial health is not something to play with

I don't know the authority for their tripling the fine, nor for the failure to merley pay a civil demand resulting in a credit report entry. As the linked document indicates,

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Quoting I was caught shoplifting: do I have to pay?

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The letters themselves are not the same as a court order. You can choose to pay the amount or not. If you do not pay, the store can start a lawsuit. It has been our experience that it is rare for the lawyer or company to follow up with a court action if someone refuses to pay. So, you can choose to ignore the letter.

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Posters have stated on this very website they have had their Civil Demand tripled when not paid. No if Canada laws allows tha tor not I cannot say. I also have personal knowledge of those who have ignored Civil Demand and found themselves on losing end of a court battle

How does Sears have the authority to triple a fine for no reason, this is a company it has nothing to do with the police they can't just keep raising the fine, how can they expect someone to pay $1500 for a shoplift of $30?

Its State law. The states allow retailers to (in a word) sue shoplifters. Thsi is called Civil Demand its legal! If you fail to pay this Civil Demand the Civil Recovery service or Law Firm can add to those demands. If you still fail to pay you can be taken to court and possibly have your wages garnished etc. Its not worth it. Pay the Civil Demand and its over the law is on their side. "Crime does not pay" at least not for the shoplifter. the tripling is if you dont pay call it a late fee. Sears has nothing to do with it they turn this over to a Law firm or Civil Recovery service

Ok, so it is legal can you tell me why it is $500? And how they came up with this number?

Its between $50.00 to $1000.00 depending on state. How they arrive at figure has many factors so its impossible to say. all you need to know is you should pay this or make payment arrangements and make those payments on time! If your late they can up ante or deny you rpayment plan and demand payment in full. You make think it unfair (most do) but it cost the retailer money to deal with this. Civil Demand helps retailers recoup loses for shoplifting. Civil Demands helps pay for

. Loss Prevention staff
. Paperwork
. Time merchandise is off floor and not for sale
. Camera systems
. Security equitment not cameras

to name a few

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Quoting TopShelf04

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Ok, so it is legal can you tell me why it is $500? And how they came up with this number?

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Read the document I have provided for you.