Caught using mum's 60+ oyster

[adam1989]

Hi,

I've just been caught using my mum's 60+ oyster card. I am massively ashamed and regret my complete lack of judgment.

Please could anyone let me know when I can expect a letter through the post and how long in general these things take to resolve. From what I've read I'm likely to receive along with a criminal conviction. I would obviously like apologise and pay any fines to have the matter dealt with as quickly as possible.

My mum was also unaware that I had taken the oyster and was wondering whether she now no longer be able to have and use a 60+ oyster?

Any advice or outcomes of similar instances would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

I assume you've been stopped by someone working for Transport for London. They normally take misuse of 60+ Oyster Passes very seriously, and prosecution under the TfL Bylaws is the normal outcome.

They will send you a verification letter asking whether you admit or deny the offence, there is also an opportunity to give any mitigating circumstances you want them to take into account when deciding how to proceed. TfL normally send letters reasonable quickly, usually within a few weeks. Being found guilty of (or pleading guilty to) does mean you have a criminal conviction but it isn't normally recorded on the Police National Computer and doesn't normally appear on a DBS check.

Here’s a link to TfL’s Revenue Enforcement and Prosecutions Policy which gives more information.

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/revenue-enforcement-and-prosecutions-policy.pd

 

[Haywain]

My mum was also unaware that I had taken the oyster and was wondering whether she now no longer be able to have and use a 60+ oyster?

She will need to make her own enquiries about this with TfL or the issuing local authority as appropriate.

 

[adam1989]

Welcome to the forum!

I assume you've been stopped by someone working for Transport for London. They normally take misuse of 60+ Oyster Passes very seriously, and prosecution under the TfL Bylaws is the normal outcome.

They will send you a verification letter asking whether you admit or deny the offence, there is also an opportunity to give any mitigating circumstances you want them to take into account when deciding how to proceed. TfL normally send letters reasonable quickly, usually within a few weeks. Being found guilty of (or pleading guilty to) does mean you have a criminal conviction but it isn't normally recorded on the Police National Computer and doesn't normally appear on a DBS check.

Here’s a link to TfL’s Revenue Enforcement and Prosecutions Policy which gives more information.

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/revenue-enforcement-and-prosecutions-policy.pd

Thank you for responding to my post

 

[MikeWh]

She will need to make her own enquiries about this with TfL or the issuing local authority as appropriate.

If it's a 60+ Oyster then it will be TfL.

 

[adam1989]

Does anyone have links to any threads with similar situations where they've provided details of the outcome of their individual case.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

If you search this forum for '60+' you may get what you want but it's worth noting
- not everyone tells us how things turned out, and
- even if the facts look the same as yours, there may be differences meaning that you won't get the same outcome.

 

[AlterEgo]

In the majority of cases where a free pass like a 60+ card was abused, TfL will prosecute the offender in the magistrates’ court. They do occasionally settle but this often requires a specialist solicitor.

 

[Haywain]

And it should be noted that the services of a specialist solicitor come at a much higher price than the conviction in the magistrates court is likely to cost. A conviction would be a criminal matter but it is not likely to have a significant impact on your life and career.

 

[diamond429]

As an employee, this type of travel irregularty is taken very seriously and as discussed earlier you'll be highly likely prosecuted. The person who's 60+ oyster card you used will also find it difficult to obtain another 60+ replacement pass. TFL will not settle out of court anymore for this type of mis-use. The British transport police is now normally involved in these investigations with investigators using cctv to determine how much/often the card has been used by the offender fraudulently. My advice would be to be upfront and honest about everything when asked and show remorse. Lying further will make the situation worse.

 

[spag23]

Lying further will make the situation worse.

The OP has not suggested "lying", further or otherwise.

As an employee, this type of travel irregularty is taken very seriously

The OP has not indicated that ether they, or their mother, are travel industry employees.

 

[Hadders]

Some people do return to tell us when they've managed to get an out of court dettlement. We've had a couple in the last week but they usually relate to National Rail comopanies rather than TfL. People rarely return to tell us the outcome where they've been prosecuted.

 

[methecooldude]

The OP has not indicated that ether they, or their mother, are travel industry employees.

That's not what diamond said... they were offering their point of view as an employee, not implying the OP or their mother was one

 

[adam1989]

And it should be noted that the services of a specialist solicitor come at a much higher price than the conviction in the magistrates court is likely to cost. A conviction would be a criminal matter but it is not likely to have a significant impact on your life and career.

As an employee, this type of travel irregularty is taken very seriously and as discussed earlier you'll be highly likely prosecuted. The person who's 60+ oyster card you used will also find it difficult to obtain another 60+ replacement pass. TFL will not settle out of court anymore for this type of mis-use. The British transport police is now normally involved in these investigations with investigators using cctv to determine how much/often the card has been used by the offender fraudulently. My advice would be to be upfront and honest about everything when asked and show remorse. Lying further will make the situation worse.

Do you believe she would no longer be able obtain 60+ oyster ever again, even if she was completely unaware?