Someone has used my address for dodging a fare

[Claire66]

Hi. I have received a letter from the railway stating that a person has given my address as theirs. I do not recognise the name. But I know there was mail a wk or so back with same name but took no notice and binned it. But never received mail in that name in the two yrs lived at my home. This person is supposed to attend court at said date ( don’t know as binned other letter) and said summons will happen if doesn’t attend. There was a statement attached. They had their feet on the seat. When asked why the answer was : my legs are long. Answered other questions. Along with do you know it’s an offence to travel without ticket or paying your fair. Which seemed to ignore. I have called the numbers on the letter to explain this person does not live at my address. The numbers go to payment department. I wrote to transport police and they wrote back and said it was a civil prosecution and to ring numbers on the letter? Any advise if someone turns up at my door? Also would they be able to track this person as they have given false details? I am really annoyed they have used my address.

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

Contact Sefton Magistrates Court to outline that the person named on the letter does not live at the address. Unfortunately I expect they will be fairly well practised at dealing with situations like this.

 

[Claire66]

I will do thanks. Do you think they will track this person or do they just get away with giving false information and inconveniencing other people?

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

I will do thanks. Do you think they will track this person or do they just get away with giving false information and inconveniencing other people?

One would hope they would be tracked, but given the pressure the justice system seems to be under it is likely the case will be written off as too 'minor' to worry about.

 

[island]

I will do thanks. Do you think they will track this person or do they just get away with giving false information and inconveniencing other people?

They have ways and means.

When replying, you may also want to explain why you opened a letter that wasn’t addressed to you. It’s normal to put such letters back in the post unopened and marked “return to sender”.

 

[Bletchleyite]

They have ways and means.

When replying, you may also want to explain why you opened a letter that wasn’t addressed to you. It’s normal to put such letters back in the post unopened and marked “return to sender”.

Point of order, if a letter was correctly addressed (i.e. it was put through the door of the address on it, the name doesn't matter) then it is legit, if perhaps a little rude, to open it.

 

[farleigh]

They have ways and means.

When replying, you may also want to explain why you opened a letter that wasn’t addressed to you. It’s normal to put such letters back in the post unopened and marked “return to sender”.

Do you have to explain this to a TOC or their agent??

 

[Claire66]

They have ways and means.

When replying, you may also want to explain why you opened a letter that wasn’t addressed to you. It’s normal to put such letters back in the post unopened and marked “return to sender”.

As I had never received letters in this name previously, then all the sudden I was getting them. I was curious to why I was suddenly getting them so I wanted to know why someone was using my address as there have been cases of identity fraud and I have had a recent problem with my identity. Also if I didn’t open it I wouldn’t be prepared for who ever serves a summons which I don’t appreciate as said person has the cheek to use my address to dodge his fair and by sounds of it having bit of attitude.

 

[Haywain]

Do you have to explain this to a TOC or their agent??

No, but it does perhaps show why binning a letter addressed to someone you don't know may not be a good idea.

 

[Claire66]

Point of order, if a letter was correctly addressed (i.e. it was put through the door of the address on it, the name doesn't matter) then it is legit, if perhaps a little rude, to open it.

Was it not rude that this person used my address in the first place to dodge his wrong doings?

No, but it does perhaps show why binning a letter addressed to someone you don't know may not be a good idea.

Maybe but then I have never experienced getting a possible call from police or who ever serves summons.

 

[Typhoon]

I will do thanks. Do you think they will track this person or do they just get away with giving false information and inconveniencing other people?

I would just respond with something like: No one with the name <whatever> has lived or stayed at the property for over two years. I wouldn't write an essay. As @ANDREW_D_WEBB writes, this won't be the first and it won't be the last.

In particular don't worry, your gender should persuade them to look elsewhere if nothing else does (which they could confirm by looking at the electoral roll).

As regards the binned letter, I wouldn't mention it. Proof of posting is no proof of delivery unless it was 'signed for' (if they ask that's a different story).

If you get any more letters addressed to Joe Hughes (or anyone else) don't open just 'Not known at this address' and back in the post box. Not to encourage it but quite a few letters I send out as part of a voluntary organisation are not forwarded or returned as requested. You will get less bother in cases like this if you send it back unopened.

 

[Haywain]

Maybe but then I have never experienced getting a possible call from police or who ever serves summons.

On the one hand, receiving something at the wrong address could be a simple error and you could help someone by dropping the item back in a letter box with 'Not known at this address' written on the envelope. On the other hand it could be your address has been misused and you end up having to deal with bailliffs on your doorstep. It is, ultimetley, your choice but I prefer to go for the option that might help others while giving me an easier life.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Was it not rude that this person used my address in the first place to dodge his wrong doings?

Not just rude but also illegal. However, you don't know what a letter is until you open it, it could for example have been some very confidential medical information. That's why it's a bit rude to open it, just as it'd be a bit rude to open post for someone else in the same household unless they have said you can.

 

[Claire66]

I would just respond with something like: No one with the name <whatever> has lived or stayed at the property for over two years. I wouldn't write an essay. As @ANDREW_D_WEBB writes, this won't be the first and it won't be the last.

In particular don't worry, your gender should persuade them to look elsewhere if nothing else does (which they could confirm by looking at the electoral roll).

As regards the binned letter, I wouldn't mention it. Proof of posting is no proof of delivery unless it was 'signed for' (if they ask that's a different story).

If you get any more letters addressed to Joe Hughes (or anyone else) don't open just 'Not known at this address' and back in the post box. Not to encourage it but quite a few letters I send out as part of a voluntary organisation are not forwarded or returned as requested. You will get less bother in cases like this if you send it back unopened.

Thanks. I have a partner so they could think it is him that has given false name. My concern is that I don’t want people knocking at my door serving summons. I would not of known this if I had not opened the letter. Which I saw no harm in doing so as all of a sudden letters were arriving in this name which I thought was odd.

Not just rude but also illegal. However, you don't know what a letter is until you open it, it could for example have been some very confidential medical information. That's why it's a bit rude to open it, just as it'd be a bit rude to open post for someone else in the same household unless they have said you can.

Not just rude but also illegal. However, you don't know what a letter is until you open it, it could for example have been some very confidential medical information. That's why it's a bit rude to open it, just as it'd be a bit rude to open post for someone else in the same household unless they have said you can.

Point of order, if a letter was correctly addressed(i.e. it was put through the door of the address on it, the name doesn't matter) then it is legit, if perhaps a little rude, to open it.
Previously you said it was legit if it was the right address ( wrong name ) even though I didn’t take much notice when I opened it then saw the name and remembered receiving a letter previously in that name. I don’t see it as rude at all. I see the person who has committed a crime and used my address as rude. When I have to deal with people knocking on my door proving that nobody with that name lives at my door!

 

[Typhoon]

Thanks. I have a partner so they could think it is him that has given false name. My concern is that I don’t want people knocking at my door serving summons. I would not of known this if I had not opened the letter. Which I saw no harm in doing so as all of a sudden letters were arriving in this name which I thought was odd.

OK. I have read somewhere in these threads that some revenue protection officers (apologies if that's not what they are called) wear body-worn cameras, in any case there will probably be CCTV cameras in the carriages or on stations. In any case it is up to them to prove that it was your partner 'thinking' it might be is not proof.

If you respond to Sefton Magistrates Court, maybe saying that you had opened the letter in error, saying that there is no one of that name living in the property nor has there been for two years. They may ask questions, answer honestly. If you are receiving lots of letters (ie not just about this case), I would refer it to the Police. They are unlikely to do anything about it (a lot of resources for not a major crime, in their eyes at least) but you can then say, truthfully, that you have referred it to the Police.

These things happen, parts of my family come from Liverpool (all dead now), I could pick out an address from my mother's address book, I can go on an estate agent site, easy to find an address. If the place is rented, it could be a former tenant (not your job to find out).

To clarify the mail issue -

Section 84 of the Postal Services Act 2000:

Generally it's best to mark any incorrectly-received mail as "return to sender" and place it back in the post. Destroying mail that you have received incorrectly is inadvisable as it could be considered an intentional delay without reasonable excuse for the purposes of (1)(a).

However, it can be acceptable to open incorrectly-received mail as per (3) if you believe, for example, that the mail concerns your property more than it does the named addressee, or that by opening you might be able to resolve the addressing issue.

Now that is a really good point. It would have been better to bung it back in the pillar box but stuff happens. I am concerned that you are over worrying this. YOU are not the criminal they are looking for.

 

[Claire66]

OK. I have read somewhere in these threads that some revenue protection officers (apologies if that's not what they are called) wear body-worn cameras, in any case there will probably be CCTV cameras in the carriages or on stations. In any case it is up to them to prove that it was your partner 'thinking' it might be is not proof.

If you respond to Sefton Magistrates Court, maybe saying that you had opened the letter in error, saying that there is no one of that name living in the property nor has there been for two years. They may ask questions, answer honestly. If you are receiving lots of letters (ie not just about this case), I would refer it to the Police. They are unlikely to do anything about it (a lot of resources for not a major crime, in their eyes at least) but you can then say, truthfully, that you have referred it to the Police.

These things happen, parts of my family come from Liverpool (all dead now), I could pick out an address from my mother's address book, I can go on an estate agent site, easy to find an address. If the place is rented, it could be a former tenant (not your job to find out).



Now that is a really good point. It would have been better to bung it back in the pillar box but stuff happens. I am concerned that you are over worrying this. YOU are not the criminal they are looking for.

Thank you. It’s turned into a crime for me to open the letter and all focus seems to be on that rather than someone has given false information and used my address inconveniencing me and says they will be sending someone with a summons. Hopefully they have footage as my partner would do well to pass for an 18 year old (DOB) that the person has given.

To further clarify, a "postal packet" put through the door of the address written on it has not been "incorrectly delivered". I suspect this is by precedent though I don't have time to research caselaw. However it's definitely come up in here before.

It would only have been "incorrectly delivered" if the address on it was not your address. This letter was correctly delivered to the address on it. That the sender incorrectly addressed it (in good faith) is an entirely different issue.

Therefore, opening mail with your address on it regardless of the name is not an offence. If however the address was wrong (e.g. the postman put next door's letter through your door by mistake) opening that would be.

The address is right and I took no notice of the name when opening it (maybe silly of me) only when I started reading it i remembered there had been a letter in that name a week earlier. Then thought this person is using my address for what ever reason. But this one brings trouble to my door which I am really not happy about.

 

[Darandio]

Thank you. It’s turned into a crime for me to open the letter and all focus seems to be on that rather than someone has given false information and used my address inconveniencing me and says they will be sending someone with a summons. Hopefully they have footage as my partner would do well to pass for an 18 year old (DOB) that the person has given.

The focus isn't on that, you are posting on what is ultimately is a discussion forum so discussions will occur and advice will be fluid! With regards to opening the letter, what's done is done and as it was the correct address with potential concerns to your property or the contents within, it's neither here nor there. The advice given in post number 2 is all you can reasonably do right now.

 

[Haywain]

It’s turned into a crime for me to open the letter

Not at all, this is just advice. Think of it in a different way - you only see all this as something to be concerned about because you opened the letter and know what's involved!

 

[island]

Thanks. I have a partner so they could think it is him that has given false name. My concern is that I don’t want people knocking at my door serving summons. I would not of known this if I had not opened the letter.

Just to point out the letter is the summons and there won’t be anyone “knocking at your door” to “serve” it.

As mentioned upthread, a simple letter to the court explaining the matter briefly is all you should need to do.

 

[RunawayTrain]

Really do not worry about this - it wasn't you.

 

[Claire66]

Just to point out the letter is the summons and there won’t be anyone “knocking at your door” to “serve” it.

As mentioned upthread, a simple letter to the court explaining the matter briefly is all you should need to do.

Ohh I didn’t realise it was the summons. I will send a simple letter as advised. Thanks

 

[Skipness]

Assuming that the address and postcode were correct I would assume in the first instance that the person concerned once lived at your address. If, when being questioned, I was asked for an address I could easily give a false address and postcode from memory, rather than make one up on the spur of the moment. (I doubt that Merseyrail would go to the trouble of looking up a postcode to go with an address, even though that can be done quite easily.)

 

[Typhoon]

Assuming that the address and postcode were correct I would assume in the first instance that the person concerned once lived at your address. If, when being questioned, I was asked for an address I could easily give a false address and postcode from memory, rather than make one up on the spur of the moment. (I doubt that Merseyrail would go to the trouble of looking up a postcode to go with an address, even though that can be done quite easily.)

Or nearby address* (which would have the same postcode - probably). Or who knew someone who lived nearby well.

Still, identifying the culprit is down to the TOC and their agents; it is not the the OPs problem.

* - If the house number was '23' there is every chance that '32' and '33' have the same postcode. Both of these could be quoted without any significant hesitation.

 

[Snow1964]

Just send it back, saying you didn’t spot someone else’s name before opening envelope. No one of that name lives there.

Keep it short and direct, it won’t be first time this will have happened and they will have process for updating their records.

If get follow up in meantime, simply write not known at this address and return to sender on unopened mail, and pop in a postbox.

If you get a signed for letter in someone else’s name, reject it (refuse to sign for it).