From what has been said above, I can now see why anyone (not just the OP) would be suspicious of an itinerant stranger asking them to touch their personal card (ie not a TOC-issued smart card) onto a reader they could reasonably consider to be capable of taking a payment. Especially from someone wearing "civvies" or with minimal (and easily forged) Company ID.
I suggest that the TOCs should quickly develop a policy towards this. Perhaps they could reimburse anyone who gets scammed this way. It is the TOC's responsibility, after all; they introduced this system and kit, and need to police their trains to prevent/deter any such fraudulent impersonations.
Obviously staff manning gates are in a different position.
I suggest that the TOCs should quickly develop a policy towards this. Perhaps they could reimburse anyone who gets scammed this way. It is the TOC's responsibility, after all; they introduced this system and kit, and need to police their trains to prevent/deter any such fraudulent impersonations.
Obviously staff manning gates are in a different position.