Trainline ticket evading !!!!! Panicking

[yazmy]

hello,

so recently I have been caught on a chiltern railway buying (child ticket and short - faring), this is my first time ever being caught by this Train company. the inspector wrote me down and they sent me a letter saying that I have to respond and explain my situation. After reading everything everyone has mentioned I am really really scared now because although this is my first time doing this with this train company I was buying child ticket and short fearing for great western railway and all the tickets I ever bought were always online - TRAINLINE to be exact. I soooo much regret my actions and if I could go back in time I would never have done any of this because I am in healthcare and don't want anything incriminating on my record.

Mt first question is does Transports Investigations limited (TIL)AS HIRED BY CHILTERN have access to my TRAINLINE ACCOUNT ? the inspector didn't ask for my tranline account but I am scared that TIL could see all the child tickets I have bought

second question TIL work for chiltern so could they possibly also prosecute me for all the child fare and short faring I did on GWR tranlines ??? or are they only interested in the one that I did with their company,if yes that would be really really bad.

thirdly, any tips on how to avoid a prosecution?

 

[Dai Corner]

Welcome to the forum.

There will be more knowledgable people than me along later I'm sure, but to answer your immediate questions as best I can:

TIL will be able to obtain your purchase history from Trainline. They will be able to trace it from the ticket the inspector has seen and data protection laws don't apply where the purpose is the detection or investigation of crime. I'm not sure whether this will be limited to tickets which would have been valid on Chiltern trains but others may be able to advise.

I don't think TIL will investigate your GWR journeys but they may inform GWR of their suspicions, especially if they get to see your entire Trainline purchase history.

It would be useful if you could post scans/photos of the letter you've received with your personal details hidden. This will let us see exactly what you've been accused of and give the best advice.

 

[Haywain]

I'm not sure whether this will be limited to tickets which would have been valid on Chiltern trains but others may be able to advise.

I don't think TIL will investigate your GWR journeys but they may inform GWR of their suspicions, especially if they get to see your entire Trainline purchase history

If there is a history of buying child tickets etc TIL can take account of all of it and will almost certainly do so.

 

[yazmy]

How can I avid this

 

[Dai Corner]

I do have a history of buying child ticket on my tramline account, but this is with a different train company so I don't know how this will affect me

In addition, the ticket I bought was a physical child ticket I bought at the station, no one took any of my tramline details or accounts and I have about three different tramline accounts so I am unsure of how this would affect me

Is there anything I can do t avoid them having access to my tramline account? I tried to delete but it says it takes up to a month

In your opening post you say you bought all the tickets online. If you want good advice it's best to give a full and accurate account of what happened from the start.

I don't think deleting your Trainline account(s) will delete the underlying data held by Trainline.

Could you post the letter you've had from TIL as requested earlier please?

 

[Deafdoggie]

I do have a history of buying child ticket on my tramline account, but this is with a different train company so I don't know how this will affect me

In addition, the ticket I bought was a physical child ticket I bought at the station, no one took any of my tramline details or accounts and I have about three different tramline accounts so I am unsure of how this would affect me.
Is there anything I can do t avoid them having access to my tramline account? I tried to delete but it says it takes up to a month

Deleting your accounts won't delete their history. But will look like you've something to try and hide.
Having multiple accounts could also appear to be because you're trying to hide something.
A Trainline account doesn't make any difference to the TOC. If you've defrauded the railway, you've defrauded the railway. How many TOCs you've done it across doesn't matter.
All things considered, an honest and open approach is needed and is likely to yield the best results. Trying to hide things will make it far, far, far worse for yourself.
What's done is done, you can't change that. But deal with it honestly and openly. Trying to cover up dishonesty will only ever end badly.
Just as importantly show you've at least learned something and just use one account going forward and only buy the correct tickets.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

To approach this from a rather different angle:

You seem to accept that you have done wrong and this won't end well. But you won't be sent to prison: if the matter goes to court then you will receive a fine and also have to pay court and prosecution costs, and the cost of the train fares that you should have paid (and which fares those are will depend on what the prosecution choose to tell the court about).

Depending on what law you are prosecuted under, your conviction may or may not show up on a DBS report, but as you work in healthcare you may have to report it anyhow. Have a look at what the Nursing and Midwifery Council have to say at https://www.nmc.org.uk/ftp-library/...llegations/criminal-convictions-and-cautions/:

Considering criminal conviction or caution declarations​

Nurses, midwives or nursing associates must declare any cautions or convictions, unless these are for a protected caution or conviction, when they apply to join our register or renew their registration with us.

They also need to let us know if they become involved in criminal offending while they’re on our register.

(...)

Assessing the seriousness of convictions and cautions​

If the criminal offending was directly linked to the nurse, midwife or nursing associate’s professional practice, it’s very likely this would be serious enough to affect their fitness to practise.

(...)

If the criminal offending took place in the nurse, midwife or nursing associate’s private life, and there’s no clear risk to patients or members of the public, then it is unlikely that we’ll need to take regulatory action to uphold confidence in nurses, midwives or nursing associates, or professional standards.

We’d only need to do that if the nurse, midwife or nursing associate was given a custodial sentence (this includes suspended sentences), or the conviction was for a specified offence.

I think the other regulators in healthcare say something similar. So even if you are taken to court and lose, this may not be damaging to your employment.

Obviously, it's better not to have a criminal conviction, and the easiest way to avoid this in future is to not break the law (i.e. buy the right train ticket). So you're doing the right thing taking this seriously - but don't panic!

 

[Birmingham]

I note the OP says, even though they've done this on Trainline previously, the ticket they were caught with in this instance was a physical (CCST?) ticket. I'm not sure if this makes it less likely that the investigator will check their Trainline history? One for the experts.

 

[Dai Corner]

I note the OP says, even though they've done this on Trainline previously, the ticket they were caught with in this instance was a physical (CCST?) ticket. I'm not sure if this makes it less likely that the investigator will check their Trainline history? One for the experts.

That's why we really need to see the letter from TIL which will tell us whether he's being accused of just this one offence or a series.

 

[Deafdoggie]

That's why we really need to see the letter from TIL which will tell us whether he's being accused of just this one offence or a series.

At this stage it'll be the one. What they're on is a fact finding mission,
However, in the opening post the OP says

this is my first time ever being caught by this Train company.

Thus raising the question if he's been caught by a different TOC.
As it seems to be a prolific offender and with various TOCs over various offences (short fareing, children tickets) it's probably best the OP seeks professional legal advice.

 

[RPI]

I note the OP says, even though they've done this on Trainline previously, the ticket they were caught with in this instance was a physical (CCST?) ticket. I'm not sure if this makes it less likely that the investigator will check their Trainline history? One for the experts.

If it was a ticket booked on trainline and then collected at a station the the Ticket On Departure (TOD) reference will be printed on the ticket and the account can be linked by that.

 

[Dai Corner]

If it was a ticket booked on trainline and then collected at a station the the Ticket On Departure (TOD) reference will be printed on the ticket and the account can be linked by that.

The OP says

the ticket I bought was a physical child ticket I bought at the station

 

[RPI]

The OP says

That'll teach me to not just skim read before commenting......

 

[yazmy]

This is a letter I received, what could I possibly reply please

Today is the last day and I am panicking on what to write, someeone help please !!!!!!!

 

[Haywain]

View attachment 119212

This is a letter I received, what could I possibly reply please

Today is the last day and I am panicking on what to write, someeone help please !!!!!!!

The post quoted below from another thread gives an excellent guide about what to put in your letter.

Welcome to the forum!

It sounds as though was what is known as a 'revenue block' operating at Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City. Passengers were having their tickets scanned upon entry at Hatfield so when checked upon arrival at Welwyn Garden City it would be possible to see if they had started their journey there.

What will happen next is that you are likely to receive a letter from the train company, or an investigation company acting on their behalf. The letter will say that they have received a report, are considering prosecuting you and asking for your version of events. It is important that you engage with and reply to this letter. You might want to include the following in your reply:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

Make sure your reply is short and concise, don't give a sob story - they've heard it all before. Most train companies are usually prepared to offer an administrative settlement (commonly known as an out of court settlement) for people who engage with the process and who haven't come to their attention before. There is no guarantee of this and the train company would be well within their rights to prosecute you in the magistrates court.

It is possible that the railway company might contact Trainline and ask for details of your ticket purchasing history. I doubt they will search CCTV, only 31 days worth of footage is routinely kept, they can keep longer than this but only in specific circumstances for example, as part of a specific investigation.

The key thing is to see exactly what the letter they send to you asks. You need to reply truthfully but equally you aren't required to incriminate yourself. When you receive your letter post a copy of it in this thread (with personal details redacted) along with your draft reply and forum members will be happy to proof read it.

 

[Wethebest838]

View attachment 119212

This is a letter I received, what could I possibly reply please

Today is the last day and I am panicking on what to write, someeone help please !!!!!!!

When you say today is the last day, are you scanning your letter and emailing it to them? If it’s the last day and you are going to post it, sorry to say but you would have missed the deadline.

But, follow @Hadders advice. Feel free to post the draft and we can assist. Looks like they haven’t mentioned previous journeys but, I doubt so, they may contact GWR. I can’t imagine Chiltern/TIL going through all that fuss.

 

[annixxxxxxxx]

I do have a history of buying child ticket on my tramline account, but this is with a different train company so I don't know how this will affect me

In addition, the ticket I bought was a physical child ticket I bought at the station, no one took any of my tramline details or accounts and I have about three different tramline accounts so I am unsure of how this would affect me

Is there anything I can do t avoid them having access to my tramline account? I tried to delete but it says it takes up to a month

Don’t worry at all - if you had a physical ticket there is no way of them finding your trainline account UNLESS you respond to the email/letter they sent you with the same email on your trainline account - so avoid doing this!!

But seriously you’ll be fine - I just went through a very similar thing to you, which I will make a separate thread explaining. I was caught by chiltern railways travelling with a child ticket and received a letter of “intended prosecution” I was extremely anxious for months about this, however as soon as i responded to their letter via email (the email was a brief apology asking for forgiveness/ if they would let me settle out of court through repayments/fines. I sent this email in the evening and they responded within 20 minutes as if to not have read it at all, it was like an automated email i presume (but i’m not sure). In the email was a settlement offer of quite a few hundred pounds.

I don’t think they want to take things to court so don’t worry just respond to the email apologising and say you know how detrimental this behaviour is to railway companies, you have learnt your lesson and wish to settle out of court with a settlement offer/ a fine.

When you say today is the last day, are you scanning your letter and emailing it to them? If it’s the last day and you are going to post it, sorry to say but you would have missed the deadline.

But, follow @Hadders advice. Feel free to post the draft and we can assist. Looks like they haven’t mentioned previous journeys but, I doubt so, they may contact GWR. I can’t imagine Chiltern/TIL going through all that fuss.

I also missed the deadline as I had moved houses so was unable to receive the letter on time. I would suggest emailing them as this would get to them faster.

View attachment 119212

This is a letter I received, what could I possibly reply please

Today is the last day and I am panicking on what to write, someeone help please !!!!!!!

I will copy and paste what i wrote to give you an idea:

Dear…

I hope this email finds you well.

Thank you for your letter dated … , allowing me the opportunity to respond to the notice of intended prosecution.


On the (date) I was stopped by a ticket enforcer for travelling without a valid ticket. I had made the error in judgement of purchasing the wrong ticket. For this, I am extremely sorry and remorseful of my actions. Your letter has brought to my attention the seriousness of my actions and the detrimental effects fare evasions have on railway companies; in future I will not make this error again. I can only hope that you can forgive me for this.

I understand that behaviour of this kind is damaging to the railway, and I completely understand your determination to enforce that people who evade fares in this way are brought to justice. Nonetheless, I am asking you to make an exception in my case. I am truly sorry for my actions, and I regret them hugely. As a result of any convictions, there will be a great consequence on my life, career, and future, beyond any fine or recompense.

Therefore, I ask if you will see fit to settle this matter outside of court. I would be more than happy to pay any outstanding fares due, in addition to compensation towards your costs/efforts in dealing with this matter, as you see fit. I would be appreciative if you could let me know in response to this email if possible, and the next steps required to resolve this matter and bring it to a satisfactory conclusion, without the need of involving the court system.


I look forward to hearing from you.



Yours faithfully,

(your name)

 

[yazmy]

Thank you so much everyone for your replies and examples. I have composed the letter

 

[annixxxxxxxx]

Don’t worry at all - if you had a physical ticket there is no way of them finding your trainline account UNLESS you respond to the email/letter they sent you with the same email on your trainline account - so avoid doing this!!

But seriously you’ll be fine - I just went through a very similar thing to you, which I will make a separate thread explaining. I was caught by chiltern railways travelling with a child ticket and received a letter of “intended prosecution” I was extremely anxious for months about this, however as soon as i responded to their letter via email (the email was a brief apology asking for forgiveness/ if they would let me settle out of court through repayments/fines. I sent this email in the evening and they responded within 20 minutes as if to not have read it at all, it was like an automated email i presume (but i’m not sure). In the email was a settlement offer of quite a few hundred pounds.

I don’t think they want to take things to court so don’t worry just respond to the email apologising and say you know how detrimental this behaviour is to railway companies, you have learnt your lesson and wish to settle out of court with a settlement offer/ a fine.


I also missed the deadline as I had moved houses so was unable to receive the letter on time. I would suggest emailing them as this would get to them faster.


I will copy and paste what i wrote to give you an idea:

Dear…

I hope this email finds you well.

Thank you for your letter dated … , allowing me the opportunity to respond to the notice of intended prosecution.


On the (date) I was stopped by a ticket enforcer for travelling without a valid ticket. I had made the error in judgement of purchasing the wrong ticket. For this, I am extremely sorry and remorseful of my actions. Your letter has brought to my attention the seriousness of my actions and the detrimental effects fare evasions have on railway companies; in future I will not make this error again. I can only hope that you can forgive me for this.

I understand that behaviour of this kind is damaging to the railway, and I completely understand your determination to enforce that people who evade fares in this way are brought to justice. Nonetheless, I am asking you to make an exception in my case. I am truly sorry for my actions, and I regret them hugely. As a result of any convictions, there will be a great consequence on my life, career, and future, beyond any fine or recompense.

Therefore, I ask if you will see fit to settle this matter outside of court. I would be more than happy to pay any outstanding fares due, in addition to compensation towards your costs/efforts in dealing with this matter, as you see fit. I would be appreciative if you could let me know in response to this email if possible, and the next steps required to resolve this matter and bring it to a satisfactory conclusion, without the need of involving the court system.


I look forward to hearing from you.



Yours faithfully,

(your name)

Thank you so much everyone for your replies and examples. I have composed the letter

Great, I would suggest to send it ASAP, (if today is your last day.) Good luck & Let us know how they respond!

 

[yazmy]

Great, I would suggest to send it ASAP, (if today is your last day.) Good luck & Let us know how they respond!

Heyy. I wanted to ask how long it took for them to get back to you and if you had to write more than one letter pleading ?

Also. I sent the email and all they sent back to me was they have received it but they didn’t send an offer letter, so this is making me panick a bit more, cause you got yours in 20minutes

 

[annixxxxxxxx]

Heyy. I wanted to ask how long it took for them to get back to you and if you had to write more than one letter pleading ?

Also. I sent the email and all they sent back to me was they have received it but they didn’t send an offer letter, so this is making me panick a bit more, cause you got yours in 20minutes

I sent them an email which they responded to saying they had received it. After around half an hour they sent me a second email which had the settlement offer in it. They should respond to you soon, if not you can always call them.

I only sent one email, it wasn’t a letter, perhaps because it was an email they responded faster? If you sent a letter it may take longer for them to respond.
Also the “prosecution” letter they sent to you in the post is very similar to mine, so hopefully it will be a similar case for you. They might just take a different amount of time to respond to each case I’m not sure

 

[Wethebest838]

They should respond to you soon, if not you can always call them.

I would advise against calling in my honest opinion. Just to avoid aggravating them

 

[Zeekay]

I would advise against calling in my honest opinion. Just to avoid aggravating them

Please if I may ask what transport company is that? Because I have same issue with Thameslink and it’s more than 2 weeks I responded via sending a post to them and I have not gotten any response from them yet.

 

[yazmy]

I sent them an email which they responded to saying they had received it. After around half an hour they sent me a second email which had the settlement offer in it. They should respond to you soon, if not you can always call them.

I only sent one email, it wasn’t a letter, perhaps because it was an email they responded faster? If you sent a letter it may take longer for them to respond.
Also the “prosecution” letter they sent to you in the post is very similar to mine, so hopefully it will be a similar case for you. They might just take a different amount of time to respond to each case I’m not sure

Thank you so much for the reply and advice. Was this your first time ever evading fare ? Or was this your first time being caught evading fare ? Plesse

 

[30907]

Thank you so much for the reply and advice. Was this your first time ever evading fare ? Or was this your first time being caught evading fare ? Plesse

Hi and welcome.

I don't think the OP need reply to that, as they might incriminate themselves.

If you have been "caught" for the first time, please start a new thread asking for advice - after reading the guidance post at the top of the page

 

[XAM2175]

I don't think the OP need reply to that, as they might incriminate themselves.

If you have been "caught" for the first time, please start a new thread asking for advice - after reading the guidance post at the top of the page

They are the OP!

 

[yazmy]

Wh

Hi and welcome.

I don't think the OP need reply to that, as they might incriminate themselves.

If you have been "caught" for the first time, please start a new thread asking for advice - after reading the guidance post at the top of the page

What does this mean? Are posters on this forum at risk of incriminating themselves by using this forum ? Could i be traceable by The train companies via this platform

 

[Dai Corner]

Wh

What does this mean? Are posters on this forum at risk of incriminating themselves by using this forum ? Could i be traceable by The train companies via this platform

In theory they could read your posts, compare what happened and where with their records and possibly work out who you are.

Whether they would, I personally doubt. Others may disagree.

 

[AlterEgo]

Wh

What does this mean? Are posters on this forum at risk of incriminating themselves by using this forum ?

Yes, it is a public forum, so you should avoid identifying yourself or posting anything which risks incriminating you.

The risk of such evidence being used against you is very low, but better safe than sorry. We're still able to help anonymous posters.