What to do if a store falsely accuses you of theft?
What to do if a store falsely accuses you of theft?
5 Things to Do If You’re Accused of Shoplifting
- 1: Shopkeepers Privilege. If a store employee has reason to think that you are shoplifting, they can detain you for questioning and to call the authorities.
- 2: Mistakes Happen.
- 3: Remain Calm and Silent.
- 4: Do Not Consent to a Search.
- 5: Request an Attorney.
Can you sue if a store accuses you of stealing?
In the United States, citizens value their civil liberties and constitutional rights and don’t appreciate submitting to unlawful seizure and search. Because of this, there has been a legal trend of filing a lawsuit against a retail store anytime a customer is wrongfully accused of shoplifting.
Can you sue a company for falsely accused?
Yes, you certainly can. If your employer makes a false accusation against you that hurts your reputation, you can sue for defamation.
How much do you get for being wrongly accused?
The federal standard to compensate those who are wrongfully convicted is a minimum of $50,000 per year of incarceration, plus an additional amount for each year spent on death row.
What happens if you are accused of shoplifting in a store?
Retail stores who detain an alleged shoplifter against their will, especially for an extended period, are subject to a claim of false arrest and if the accused is assaulted, for a claim of assault and battery. Merely asking someone if they have a product or to produce a receipt is not actionable.
Can I sue a store for falsely accusing me of stealing?
But as what has been said earlier, the litigation can cost a lot. If there is a strong proof, like a CCTV video, to show that you did not steal a particular item, then you can demand an apology from the store manager to, at least, save you from the embarrassment of being falsely accused.
Can I sue a large retail store for anything?
You can sue almost anyone for almost anything. That doesn’t mean you will prevail. Large retail stores will vigorously defend such claims on sound business principles. Doing so discourages claims like yours. They will likely bury you in a war of attrition, having more money than you for the case and perhaps equal motivation.
Who was the woman that was accused of shoplifting at Walmart?
Ms. Martin recently settled her suit with Walmart for an undisclosed sum. For many, a mere charge of shoplifting can do damage. Lesleigh Nurse was accused of stealing groceries from a self-checkout line at a Walmart outside Mobile while she shopped with her husband and two children.