Quote Quoting free9man
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You got the civil demand for the stop they made on you that day. Most likely, in reviewing your return history after the initial stop, they identified other incidents and entered reports on it which with some companies automatically generates a new CD.
When I was detained, the (LP?) produced a computer printout of my entire return history within their store and wanted to be reimbursed for all of it. It seemed like he was treating it all as one combined incident, calculating what he felt I owed them (total return amount, minus remaining credit I gave him that day = amount paid), with the civil penalty as punishment. He told me $500 is the maximum civil penalty. Can they penalize me $500 for each return?

Quote Quoting free9man
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Yup. Civil demands are a civil penalty for your actions and do not preclude criminal charges. I would not be surprised if they found additional incidents if they made a police report which may result in your getting a visit from the local constabulary. Many companies don't allow the LP staff to lie but I'm sure it happens.
What is the law on return fraud? Is it treated the same as shoplifting? They have the merchandise (or sold it already) and they were reimbursed for it. Is that handled the same as walking out of the store with unpaid merchandise?

If they were going to involve the police, why wouldn't they do it right then and there? The (LP?) insisted what they really want is to be "made whole" and that I stay out of their store. He said he would not involve the police. His colleague (who wrote the statement I signed) insisted he was telling me the truth. I want to believe them, I want this whole thing over! Is there a way to find out a particular store's "general" attitude toward this type of incident (other than calling them which might stir things up - if they can be reached at all)?