Got a 'Civil Demand' Letter After Shoplifting Accusations?

After a shoplifting incident, some retailers send a civil demand letter asking for a sum of money to cover their losses and costs, sometimes even when the goods were recovered.

What the letter is

• A demand from the store, or a firm acting for it, for money said to be owed for the incident.
• It often mentions a deadline and possible legal action.

Do you have to pay?

• Not automatically. The store would need to start a lawsuit and prove its actual losses.
• Small amounts claimed for goods that were returned undamaged are often hard to justify.

Criminal charges are separate

• The police and Crown decide criminal charges, not the store.
• Paying a civil demand doesn't stop a criminal case, and a criminal case doesn't make you owe the demand.

What to do

1. Keep the letter and any receipts or notes.
2. Don't admit anything in writing without advice.
3. If you are also charged, focus on the criminal case first.

If you are sued

Defend within the deadline in your claim, usually 20 days in Small Claims Court.

Sources

• Criminal Code
• Served with a Small Claims claim (NEO guide)

Read next: Diversion: A Way to Resolve Some Charges Without a Record

General Ontario legal information, not legal advice for your matter, and reading it does not create a retainer. Sources checked 16 October 2026: check the current law, forms and dates before you act.

Photos from Unsplash: a man sitting at a desk writing on a piece of paper · books on brown wooden shelf.

This article is general information for people in Ontario, not legal advice. Rules, forms and deadlines change, and every situation is different. Check the current rule or speak to a licensed legal professional before you act.