Gave false name and Address (I know it was wrong)

[aj22]

Hi Everyone,

I will cut everyone some slack I completely understand how ****ty this was of me to do but honestly I take regular trains to the hospital and this one time I couldn’t afford it so instead of using my 16-25 railcard I decided to put 16-17 rail card for my travel to save a bit of money, but then the ticket inspector caught me and fined me I ended up giving fake details(which at the time didn’t know it was illegal and considered possibly fraudulent) but now I know, I remember the name and DOB I gave as well as the postcode but forgot the number and also decided to throw away the fine as in the moment I really didn’t think of it as a serious think till I got later that day and researched it, I have never been in trouble before so this is like a first for me therefore I feel extra shocked. Could they track me (the lady who handed me the fine was wearing a body cam), also just to let you know they payment card in my train line is actually my dad’s who lives in a different country and he decided to pay for the ticket as I couldn’t afford it but he isn’t doing financially well hence why I used the 16-17 years old discounts (yes once again I completely know it is not excusable). Can you guys please advise me on what to do next?

 

[AlterEgo]

Do you have an account with Trainline or do you check out as a guest?

 

[aj22]

Do you have an account with Trainline or do you check out as a guest?

I do have an account with them

 

[John R]

I do have an account with them

So if they check your account, will it confirm that the time you were stopped was indeed the only time you have used the incorrect railcard discount?

 

[aj22]

So if they check your account, will it confirm that the time you were stopped was indeed the only time you have used the incorrect railcard discount?

It happened once before but didn’t get fined for it actually I didn’t even go through the gate I had to buy another ticket and returned the wrong ticket because I noticed. That was the first time ever getting in this kind of mess. I’d delete my train line account what would happen?

 

[SuspectUsual]

I’d delete my train line account what would happen?

It would make zero difference to the train company's ability to search your account as they can still see it, and it might make them wonder why you deleted it

 

[AlterEgo]

The train company will likely be in touch with you by finding your account data. There’s nothing you can do unless and until you get a letter or email from them.

 

[Titfield]

The train company will likely be in touch with you by finding your account data. There’s nothing you can do unless and until you get a letter or email from them.

And then once you have received the letter please upload to here with your personal details and reference number obscured. Forum members will then give you advice tailored to the issues raised in the letter. In the meantime relax as there is nothing to be done.

 

[aj22]

The train company will likely be in touch with you by finding your account data. There’s nothing you can do unless and until you get a letter or email from them.

How would they send me a letter if they haven’t got my real address or email?

 

[AlterEgo]

How would they send me a letter if they haven’t got my real address or email?

Isn’t your address on your Trainline account?

 

[aj22]

Isn’t your address on your Trainline account?

Not that I know of and if they did I would’ve been my old address from 5 years ago I think

 

[SussexMan]

Not that I know of and if they did I would’ve been my old address from 5 years ago I think

But your email will be...

 

[30907]

You say you were fined. Was that a Penalty Fare (£100/£50 if paid promptly) which you could have paid on the spot, or something different?
Please upload any paperwork you were given (personal details hidden).

 

[aj22]

You say you were fined. Was that a Penalty Fare (£100/£50 if paid promptly) which you could have paid on the spot, or something different?
Please upload any paperwork you were given (personal details hidden).

She didn’t mention anything about paying it straight away, she told me I had the wrong rail card took my details and gave a slip with the amount on it which I threw away but the amount was £138 so I’m assuming 100+38 for the train fair

You say you were fined. Was that a Penalty Fare (£100/£50 if paid promptly) which you could have paid on the spot, or something different?
Please upload any paperwork you were given (personal details hidden).

Also she didn’t mention anything about the fare becoming cheaper if paid within 21 days, is that the usual case?

 

[30907]

She didn’t mention anything about paying it straight away, she told me I had the wrong rail card took my details and gave a slip with the amount on it which I threw away but the amount was £138 so I’m assuming 100+38 for the train fair


Also she didn’t mention anything about the fare becoming cheaper if paid within 21 days, is that the usual case?

The information would have been on the paper you were given, which would also have told you how to pay.

As you have thrown it away, you will have to wait for the train company to contact you. If they decide to take you to court (for not paying your correct fare), they have 6 months to do this.

 

[aj22]

The information would have been on the paper you were given, which would also have told you how to pay.

As you have thrown it away, you will have to wait for the train company to contact you. If they decide to take you to court (for not paying your correct fare), they have 6 months to do this.

I did email them letting them know I lost the paper and told the fake details I mentioned so obvs didn’t say I gave fake details should that fix it?

 

[Pushpit]

She didn’t mention anything about paying it straight away, she told me I had the wrong rail card took my details and gave a slip with the amount on it which I threw away but the amount was £138 so I’m assuming 100+38 for the train fair


Also she didn’t mention anything about the fare becoming cheaper if paid within 21 days, is that the usual case?

The £100 + £38 sounds about right, but it would be £50 + £38 if paid promptly. It is explained on the slips of paper, you can see similar examples in other threads, but the wording about the reduction for early payment is buried in the middle of a lot of text, so it would require some attention to detail. I guess you may not now get that opportunity, unless you recover the details or the train company is helpful when you write to them, so I would budget the £138 if I were you. Overwhelmingly, the people who end up in court in this forum are those who don't stay on top of the paperwork.

 

[John R]

I did email them letting them know I lost the paper and told the fake details I mentioned so obvs didn’t say I gave fake details should that fix it?

Do you mean you again gave them fake details, or that you gave both the fake details and your correct ones? How long ago was this?

 

[aj22]

I only gave the fake details just trying to get the reference for the fair, everything happened yesterday

 

[John R]

If they get back to you with the penalty fare details then you should pay it, which should end the matter.

 

[Haywain]

I did email them letting them know I lost the paper and told the fake details I mentioned so obvs didn’t say I gave fake details should that fix it?

It will make it easier for them to track you down and find out what else you've been doing.

Can you guys please advise me on what to do next?

When you are in a hole, stop digging. And that means paying the correct fare from now on.

 

[Hadders]

If you've given false details they will propbably catch-up with you eventually. You've then got all sorts of unintended consequences to untangle.

My advice would be to contact then and tell them what you've done. Ordinarily Greater Anglia settle cases out of court and I see no reason why they wouldn't if you're upfront with them.