Thread: Transport Investigation Ltd intend to prosecute me

Hello,

I got stopped without a valid oyster card on the DLR last June. It was a genuine mistake by myself and I had the funds to pay. The 'officer' who stopped me took all details and I received a letter from them last October saying they are considering prosecuting me and would I wish to comment. I didn't reply as all the facts seemed correct. On 7th Jan 09 I received a further letter saying they'll let me off sending papers to a magistrate providing I pay £79 administration costs!!

My questions are -

1) Is £79 reasonable for administration costs?? 2 letters, both seem pretty generic so no real man hours would have gone into it.

2) Am I right in thinking that they can't prosecute 6 months after the offence? (The offence happened 7 months before their most recent and threatening letter)

Many thanks

Tom

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Hi Tom

We have a Transport forum where you will get good advice on your situation:-

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...-trains-tubes/

(Have a read of the stickies at the top of the forum too)

PS - If that's your real name, e-mail admin and ask them to change it for you

thanks very much....i've moved it. and its not my real name.

cheers

I was going to suggest you change it to Tom Jones

its not unusual to use a false name.

Hi Tom Welcome to CAG.
Its the usual challenge as to whether the £79 represents a genuine pre estimate of their costs-and so is not a penalty charge under common law.
Contrary to what many believe,theres many more organisations aside from Banks who have been guilty of making money from over the top charges and fees which they simply are not comfortable to explain when confronted.It varies from Insurance to Catalogues,from Parking charges to booking agents.
But the basics in challenging are the same-they want £79.....fine. YOU want to see some evidence that the fee or charge is fair,reasonable anf just.
If they are not prepared to prove that its justified-then tell them you will let a Court decide once you have asked them to order disclosure.

I am not familiar with Transport Investigations Ltd,and so cant comment on whether they are likely to carry out their threats,but it does not sound very up front to me.
I will see if I can find any Archive info from previous cases and post them here.
Meanwhile to anyone else who can add something here-fire away.

Aha success-I have found a previous thread-which indeed confirms that it has to be within 6 months.Read the thread here;
http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...Investigations

thanks very much....any ideas on what i should do. i dont want to do nothing and let it fizzle out without letting these bullyish debt collectors know that they are wrong.

The recent letter they send looks very much like a court document, covered in reference codes and says 'PROSECUTION NOTICE' at the top - enough to scare some people into unnecessary payment. I really want to fight back.

I've seen a template here..

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...-template.html

Post 5, halfway down.

Should I send them something like that?

thanks again.

this is what TIL say for themselves,

House of Commons - Transport - Written Evidence

i wonder what the legal stance is of imposing fines/penalty's

They are in breach of both Office of Fair Trading Guidelines on debt collection,and I am sure the Unfair Consumer Terms regs 2008,in supplying you with anything which purports to be a legal document in the way that you describe.

I found another good thread which gives some good info and also links.

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...card-hell.html

Will merge this with your other Tom to prevent confusion.