Big Time Retail Fraud

[needamiracle1000]

No I am not able to cover the entire 15K. I am scheduled to see a criminal defense lawyer tomorrow.

How long do you think it will take before someone contacts me about this? This incident occurred last friday and I have not heard anything so far.

My guess is that they are puttung all the pieces together and will wait until they have a good case against me, and then off to the grand jury for the indcitment.

[needamiracle1000]

No I am not able to cover the entire 15K. I am scheduled to see a criminal defense lawyer tomorrow.

How long do you think it will take before someone contacts me about this? This incident occurred last friday and I have not heard anything so far.

My guess is that they are puttung all the pieces together and will wait until they have a good case against me, and then off to the grand jury for the indcitment.

[rmet4nzkx]

No I am not able to cover the entire 15K. I am scheduled to see a criminal defense lawyer tomorrow.

How long do you think it will take before someone contacts me about this? This incident occurred last friday and I have not heard anything so far.

My guess is that they are puttung all the pieces together and will wait until they have a good case against me, and then off to the grand jury for the indcitment.

You will need more than $15k + your attorney, they are just getting their charges together figuring out how much you defrauded them out of, I'm sorry but do you realize just how lacking in intelligence that was? Does your spouse know?

[bam!]

I personally think that you are going to be fine. The store workers probably got suspicious, but don't have enough communication to put everything together - (unless you did everything at the exact same store, the exact same way).

I have been working loss prevention for a long time, store level, district level and beyond. A lot of time, store workers will "bust" someone, but besides passing it onto store LP - the case goes nowhere.

A company most likely will take payment plans. Think about employee theft - do you really think that the employee pays back the ENTIRE amount at the time of confession or sentencing? I have seen low and high dollar busts take years to pay off - think of it as a credit card balance, you make payments and the balance goes down - you don't, fees tack on and the balance goes up.

If I was in miracles position, I would set up a meeting with a store manager, district loss prevention manager or store director and come clean. Stores are not in the business of locking people up - they are in the business of remaining profitable for shareholders and employees.

I would hazard a bet that most of the store directors/managers/loss prevention would take a restitution in a heart beat - it adds to their bottom line.

Miracle, get this off your shoulders, rectify it and do the right thing - pay back what you can and of course consult a lawyer before signing any papers.

You will be fine - people have been in your position before and come out alive, just learn from your mistakes and determine not to repeat them.

[PaulE]

I can't share your view on this Bam, I think most stores WILL follow through with the big hammer. It's not a casual ho hum deal that would be swept under the rug like you suggest, it's a major Felony crime. I've had cases that start off looking pretty good then when you dig more and see how involved and high priced it is, not only does it take a few weeks but you don't want to let it go so easily. I'm not sure stepping forward with restitution and letters is a good idea either, if....mind you "IF" they are on to the crime they'll close the door till the investigation is done. "IF" they don't know diddley-squat about Mr. Scammer, your peeing into the wind. I'm not saying miracle shouldn't feel like crap for putting his life, family and reputation on the line but why kick a sleeping LP....I mean dog. (lame humor...it's late)

[needamiracle1000]

Basically the criminal defense lawyer I meet with this morning suggested that I sit and wait it out. The lawyer seemed to imply that the only way they can prove my return fraud is by having me on video or if an employee vouches that they have seen me return the wrong item numerous times? The reason being, once the non-damaged merchandise is returned and placed back on the shelf it just becomes part of the merchandise again. Then you can say that is what you bought and returned.

So in general, how long does most LP keep surveillance video stored for? A week, month, or year?

[rmet4nzkx]

It can vary from store to store. What did the attorney tell you to do insofar as returning to that store for any reason?

How much did your consultation cost?

[needamiracle1000]

So what would the average video storage time be in your opinion?
Oh, $100 is how much she charged.

Anyway I am leaning towards the restituition. I just think it is the right thing to do instead of seating around waiting for the boom to fall.

[Happy Trails]

So what would the average video storage time be in your opinion?
Oh, $100 is how much she charged.

Anyway I am leaning towards the restituition. I just think it is the right thing to do instead of seating around waiting for the boom to fall.

So you would like to go to the store and admit to a felony and pay restitution than listen to your lawyer?

You do realize that admitting guilt and offering to make it right does not mean that criminal charges won't be filed.

[bam!]

I can't share your view on this Bam, I think most stores WILL follow through with the big hammer. It's not a casual ho hum deal that would be swept under the rug like you suggest, it's a major Felony crime.

I am not saying it would be swept under a rug or even ignored. Miracle has a better chance of avoiding prosecution (if the store even knows about it) by coming clean. It is easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

One more thing, who is to say that miracle even performed the transactions in question - unless they have clear video or acurate eyewitness accounts, them just typing her ID number into the database means nothing. I would say they would have to bust her on the spot making a fraudulent return and then tack on the previous amounts as charges subsequent to busted fraud. (At least that is how Target would do it).

I think Miracle is ok as far as the retail company goes, but she needs to clear her own head regarding the amounts owed.