We are investigating the collection practices of Palmer Recovery Attorneys, Palmer Reifler and Associates, and The Law Offices of Michael Ira Asen and want to talk to anyone who has received letters from them demanding civil penalties for shoplifting. Most states have laws allowing a merchant to recover civil penalties for shoplifting, even if they get the merchandise back. Every state law is different, but in some states, the penalties can be over $1,000. Major retailers, like Walmart, Home Depot and many others, hire companies like Palmer Recovery Attorneys, Michael Ira Asen, and others, to collect these penalties. These companies work on volume, sometimes sending more than a million letters a year, and collecting millions in penalties. But because this is about making money, not stopping shoplifters, these companies may ask for more money than the law allows, or go after people who didn’t do anything wrong, or engage in other conduct that may be unlawful. If you received a letter demanding civil penalties for shoplifting, we would like to talk to you.
The following are examples of actual collection letters:
(click thumbnails for full PDF of each letter)
