Lucy Keynes
New Member
- Joined
- 3 Apr 2019
- Messages
- 1
I was travelling from Knebworth to Stevenage today (£3.20 return fare) as I do frequently. As I have in the past kept my debit card in the same pocket as keys, the chip has become somewhat scuffed and as a result can be a bit hit and miss with regards to whether it works on the ticket machines at Knebworth or not (90% of the time it's fine, 10% it can be a pain). Usually I will give it two or three goes on each machine and if it still doesn't work, take a video of me attempting to pay for the ticket by both contactless payment and by inserting my card into the machine which show the relevant error messages and then once I board the train, walk up and down looking for a revenue protection inspector, explain the situation, show them the video and buy a ticket using one of their portable card machines to pay (far more reliable from some reason) - or if there isn't an inspector present, buy the relevant ticket at my destination.
The most recent time this happened (a couple of weeks ago) the inspector told me it wasn't necessary to record a video and that I could just explain the situation so stopped.
Today I travelled from Knebworth to Stevenage (no inspector on the train) and came out of the lift at the concourse level where there was a fraud prevention officer waiting who asked to see my ticket, at this point I had my debit card in my hand ready to try to buy a ticket from the machines at Stevenage, and I explained said situation. He said that I had committed a crime and could be prosecuted and took down my details, told me my rights (I didn't have to say anything but anything I did say could be given in evidence) and asked me a few questions. I explained the situation and he asked someone to radio through to Knebworth to see if there was a problem with the ticket machines (again, it's not an issue with the machines at Knebworth per se, more my card on the machines), and asked me if I'd attempted to travel without buying a ticket, I said no, asked if I had the means to pay, I said yes, and a couple of other things.
He said I would get a letter in due course and now I'm concerned I'm going to get prosecuted for a genuine mistake. Admittedly I should have replaced the card ages ago but I haven't because I've finally learned the 16 digit number on the front so don't want to have to start again anew, what do you think is going to happen and what should I do if I am threatened with prosecution? I've not been fined on Great Northern / Thameslink in the three and a half years I've been living in Hertfordshire, this is my first time, but I'm admittedly somewhat scared.
The most recent time this happened (a couple of weeks ago) the inspector told me it wasn't necessary to record a video and that I could just explain the situation so stopped.
Today I travelled from Knebworth to Stevenage (no inspector on the train) and came out of the lift at the concourse level where there was a fraud prevention officer waiting who asked to see my ticket, at this point I had my debit card in my hand ready to try to buy a ticket from the machines at Stevenage, and I explained said situation. He said that I had committed a crime and could be prosecuted and took down my details, told me my rights (I didn't have to say anything but anything I did say could be given in evidence) and asked me a few questions. I explained the situation and he asked someone to radio through to Knebworth to see if there was a problem with the ticket machines (again, it's not an issue with the machines at Knebworth per se, more my card on the machines), and asked me if I'd attempted to travel without buying a ticket, I said no, asked if I had the means to pay, I said yes, and a couple of other things.
He said I would get a letter in due course and now I'm concerned I'm going to get prosecuted for a genuine mistake. Admittedly I should have replaced the card ages ago but I haven't because I've finally learned the 16 digit number on the front so don't want to have to start again anew, what do you think is going to happen and what should I do if I am threatened with prosecution? I've not been fined on Great Northern / Thameslink in the three and a half years I've been living in Hertfordshire, this is my first time, but I'm admittedly somewhat scared.