I got caught my 16+ Oyster card and received a letter from TFL:

Hello lovely people.

I am seeking some advice on how to respond from a scary TfL letter in regards to fare evasion.

A ticket inspector comes onto the bus, asked me to show my travel card. I presented my 16+ Oyster Card then, he asked a prof of ID card, I only had my brother's work ID which we look like twins, which I showed the inspector. He asked me my name, date of birth and address. I told him my DOB and address. He was keeping talking to me. I was very frustrated and I wasn’t unsure what he was talking about because I was going through depression and I was sick as well.

Even I had my oyster and still received a later from TFL prosecution. I have 8 working days left. please, help.

And thank you very much for reading this! As you can imagine I am losing my mind, I am scared.

Any words of wisdom will help so please, I am begging you help me if you can.
Thanks in advance for anyone taking the time to help out, I really appreciate it.

Why do you qualify for 16+?
Because you are 16 or 17 or because you are older and in full time education?
Or are 18 or over, in work but still have an unexpired 16+ card?

Thanks for answering my question. I am a 17 years old in full time education.

If you are in full time education why did you show (and why were you carrying) your brother’s work ID card as your identification?

Was the 16+ Oyster card you presented your card, properly issued to you, and still valid? Had it been touched-in on the bus you were using?

What does the letter say also? Are they taking you to court, if so on what charge, or are they just asking for your version of events?

You say you don’t know what the inspector was saying but you must have some idea, particularly given you had showed him an incorrect ID? The more we can understand what has happened, the more likely we are to be able to help you, and at the moment there’s a lot that’s unclear.

To echo other posters, could you confirm:

1. You have a valid 16+ Oyster card
2. You were traveling using that card on the day
3. You had touched in correctly for your journey
4. When you were stopped you presented that card
5. You gave your name, address and DOB when asked
6. You presented your brother's ID rather than your own
7. At no time did you give false information

Thanks.

They don't usually ask for I'd when scanning 16+ oysters as they have verified it during the registration process.

matt_world2004 said:

They don't usually ask for I'd when scanning 16+ oysters as they have verified it during the registration process.

Click to expand...

But you are required to carry the photocard.

30907 said:

But you are required to carry the photocard.

Click to expand...

IIRC there is no separate photcard. The photo is on the Oyster card itself.

Presumably the OPs appearance had changed since the original photo was taken which prompted the RPI to be suspicious.

I am happy to inform you that TFL are very unlikely to prosecute as this would be against their policy unless you have misbehaved in other ways that you are not telling us about
You will likely receive a warning



http://content.tfl.gov.uk/revenue-enforcement-and-prosecution-policy.pdf
TfL will not normally prosecute any person under the age of 18 on the
day of the relevant offence. This is in line with the Home Office guidelines
of diverting youths away where possible, from the criminal justice system.
However where the offence is of a serious nature, TfL may prosecute or
in appropriate cases refer such an offence to the Police.
TfL considers the following offences to be of a serious nature:
a) Assaults on staff or other Public Order offences
b) Criminal damage to TfL property
c) Forgery and counterfeiting of TfL travel tickets and passes
d) Illegal production or sale of TfL travel tickets and passes
e) Repeat offences of any nature or offences committed after a
previous warning.
f) Breach of an injunction or Criminal Behaviour Order under the AntiSocial Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.
g) Any other offence(s) where it is in the public interest to prosecute.

30907 said:

But you are required to carry the photocard.

Click to expand...

Apologies, went off the TfL site.
The OP hasn't told us what offence is alleged.

Rajazein said:

Hello lovely people.

I am seeking some advice on how to respond from a scary TfL letter in regards to fare evasion.

A ticket inspector comes onto the bus, asked me to show my travel card. I presented my 16+ Oyster Card then, he asked a prof of ID card, I only had my brother's work ID which we look like twins, which I showed the inspector. He asked me my name, date of birth and address. I told him my DOB and address. He was keeping talking to me. I was very frustrated and I wasn’t unsure what he was talking about because I was going through depression and I was sick as well.

Even I had my oyster and still received a later from TFL prosecution. I have 8 working days left. please, help.

And thank you very much for reading this! As you can imagine I am losing my mind, I am scared.

Any words of wisdom will help so please, I am begging you help me if you can.
Thanks in advance for anyone taking the time to help out, I really appreciate it.

Click to expand...

As it's far from clear what happened, I have locked this thread for now.

Please report this post, using the report button, if and when you are ready to clarify what happened.