Invalid ticket (Railcard fraud)

[verystupidman]

Hi all,

My 16-25 rail card expired at the in November 2022, and in that time, I have used it on approximately 20 trips. From GX into Marylebone. I was stopped at Marylebone on Saturday and in a panic gave my name with a typo in, my DOB one year younger, and a false address. Since then I have emailed the fraud email correcting my address, and hoping the misspelt name and incorrect DOB can chalked up to panic in the moment. Frankly, I am very ashamed that I tried to cover it up but I feel like I have made reasonable steps to amend this. I will happily pay all fees due immediately, I am wondering whether it is worth investing in a solicitor to expedite the process. Naturally, this is very worrying and a mistake I most certainly will never make again.

 

[6Gman]

Hi all,

My 16-25 rail card expired at the in November 2022, and in that time, I have used it on approximately 20 trips. From GX into Marylebone. I was stopped at Marylebone on Saturday and in a panic gave my name with a typo in, my DOB one year younger, and a false address. Since then I have emailed the fraud email correcting my address, and hoping the misspelt name and incorrect DOB can chalked up to panic in the moment. Frankly, I am very ashamed that I tried to cover it up but I feel like I have made reasonable steps to amend this. I will happily pay all fees due immediately, I am wondering whether it is worth investing in a solicitor to expedite the process. Naturally, this is very worrying and a mistake I most certainly will never make again.

You can probably achieve a settlement without the additional cost of a solicitor (£500 +) if you co-operate, are honest and use the good advice from the experts on this Forum.

It really depends on how important it is to minimise the risk of prosecution, and how deep your pockets are!

 

[verystupidman]

You can probably achieve a settlement without the additional cost of a solicitor (£500 +) if you co-operate, are honest and use the good advice from the experts on this Forum.

It really depends on how important it is to minimise the risk of prosecution, and how deep your pockets are!

I think the value will be in the peace of mind. I can have this lingering for months, or I can literally have it sorted in in the next few days. Any form of prosecution is anathema to me.

 

[30907]

The mistakes you made in giving information are trivial - the railway is used to liars.
However, I wouldn't call your repeated cheating a "mistake" - that's not normal English usage though it is fine in other languages (German "Fehler" comes to mind).

 

[ikcdab]

It wasn't a mistake. Your Railcard expired 2 and half years ago. Forgetting about it for that long is negligence, not a mistake. If you are open and honest about this, then the chances are you will get a settlement.

 

[Hadders]

Are you able to access post you sent via the false address? It is important that you receive and respond to Chiltern's letter. If you can't do this then I suggest you contact Chiltern Prosecutions Department (not customer services) to give them your correct details.

 

[6Gman]

I think the value will be in the peace of mind. I can have this lingering for months, or I can literally have it sorted in in the next few days. Any form of prosecution is anathema to me.

Why do you think engaging a solicitor would get "it sorted in the next few days"?

 

[verystupidman]

Are you able to access post you sent via the false address? It is important that you receive and respond to Chiltern's letter. If you can't do this then I suggest you contact Chiltern Prosecutions Department (not customer services) to give them your correct details.

No I cannot access post from the false address. I have provided the updated address to [email protected] yesterday.

Why do you think engaging a solicitor would get "it sorted in the next few days"?

From what I’ve read on other threads, the solicitor can agree an out of court settlement before a letter has even been received.

 

[jfollows]

No I cannot access post from the false address. I have provided the updated address to [email protected] yesterday.

As long as you quoted the appropriate reference on the paper you were given at the time at Marylebone, this should be fine.
With or without a solicitor, you need to wait for Chiltern to write to you, at which point you respond with your version of events. They won’t hold your obfuscation against you significantly if you’ve now corrected this.

 

[verystupidman]

As long as you quoted the appropriate reference on the paper you were given at the time at Marylebone, this should be fine.
With or without a solicitor, you need to wait for Chiltern to write to you, at which point you respond with your version of events. They won’t hold your obfuscation against you significantly if you’ve now corrected this.

I was not given any reference materials at the time. I have simply quoted the associated booking reference for my ticket with the updated address.

Are you able to access post you sent via the false address? It is important that you receive and respond to Chiltern's letter. If you can't do this then I suggest you contact Chiltern Prosecutions Department (not customer services) to give them your correct details.

Hi, just as an aside, I’ve calculated the total value of fares to be around £280. Have you, in any instance, seen prosecution for amounts similar?

 

[Hadders]

Hi, just as an aside, I’ve calculated the total value of fares to be around £280. Have you, in any instance, seen prosecution for amounts similar?

I've seen prosecutions over 10p and out of court settlements for £25k. What normally matters isn't the value involved but how you co-operate with the train company.

 

[verystupidman]

Hi all, I have decided to move forward with a solicitor as the wait for a letter is causing me immense anxiety, and knowing I now have a professional in my corner has relieved some of that.