[whatcallit]

Hi all!

I am currently in a lot of student loans due to my University education, and thus last week I was poked by the devil and I decided to try and shoplift. My friend had recently bought 3-4 DVDs from FutureShop (similar to BestBuy in the US) here in Canada, and I basically took the receipt from his room when he wasn't looking. My plan was to go to Futureshop, casually put the DVDs he had bought in my bag, and then to go the Refund counter and ask for a refund.

I was able to do that, but when I got to the Refund counter, the Staff there started to ask me a lot of questions, and also at the same time I noticed that the place where I decided to put the DVDs in my bag in was monitored by a camera. So I basically really freaked out, and quietly sneaked out when the staff wasn't looking. So in fact, I didn't really shoplift, but I'm pretty sure I'm on camera.

But what I'm afraid of is that they can use the receipt I left at the Refund counter and track down my friend (he used his MasterCard and they could contact MasterCard and ask them for details), who once seeing the person on tape will point the person out to me.

Is this likely to happen, or will the store just dismiss the case because I really didn't walk off with anyting?

Thanks for the help!

[whatcallit]

Anyone?

[Emland]

As someone who has run a retail shop, I will guess than since you didn't actually get away with any money that they will not pursue it.

I would come clean with your friend. They may end up putting him in on "watch" list.

Don't plan on shopping there anytime soon.

Don't ruin your life for a few cds.

[whatcallit]

Thanks for that!

Also, I was thinking about writing an anonymous apology letter to the store manager about the incident. Is this a good idea? Or can they use it against me if they do decide to hunt me down?

[Emland]

I wouldn't go that far. Just learn from the experience.

[whatcallit]

Thanks!

So in all reality they won't come trace the MasterCard and link it back my friend, and then get to me? (Sorry, I'm really freaking out here. It's the weekend, and I feel that they will send the cops knocking on my door on Monday morning! )

[AKaeTrue]

I agree with Emland, since you didn't actually get away with anything,
I doubt they would pursue you.

You didn't actually steal anything, so they have nothing to charge you with.
It would be a waste of their resources, time, and energy to say the least.

[whatcallit]

Yes. I do realise that I didn't steal anything. But I was under the impression that I could be charged with 'attempted' shoplifting. I'm not very familiar with the law, but I just assumed that since they have something called 'attempted murder', they must have something for 'attempted shoplifting'. Thanks again!