Seems I can't edit the original post. Letter is below. Re-reading it, it does reinforce the feeling of being screwed over grr. Oh well. Forget it and move on... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Ref: To whom it may concern, I write regarding the letter received concerning the occasion on DATE at TIME when I was reported for travelling without a valid rail ticket. I firstly would like to amend the name attached to the matter at hand where it should read: NAME rather than the current WRONG NAME. I can offer no assistance to this error having provided supporting identification upon request by the attending Revenue Protection Inspector in the form of VISA DEBIT card and my place of work Identification Card which provides full name and photo. My final destination during this period of travel was ADDRESS, a work associate’s home whom I was visiting for the first time. I additionally attach a supporting letter from this associate, NAME, confirming my intention to visit him on this date.This is pertinent as it reflects my intended destination in relation to the encounter with the Revenue Protection Inspector. My intended route to this destination was from STATION to STATION and a short bus ride thereon. I purchased a return travel ticket from STATION for this specific destination. (I provide additional proof in the form of bank statement where date, time and cost can be measured against this statement – I no longer retain the travel ticket as this was confiscated by the Revenue Protection Inspector). Being an inexperienced rail traveller (I cycle daily) I lost myself to both music and reading material and subsequently missed my stop; I was unaware of this. I was confronted by a Revenue Protection Inspector at the STATION NAME. I attempted to explain my mistake and made offer to both pay for any additional fares I incurred or on-the-spot-penalty. Both were declined. After providing personal details upon request, both myself and attending Revenue Protection Inspector exited the train at the station STATION NAME. Curiously, it appears a ticket purchase for the date Tuesday 30th June via the website WEBSITE for similar travel times as mine on the 14th April offer a lower price of £6.90 than that of the £7.20 I actually paid for my intended destination. Understanding that I was ‘out of bounds’ in regards my ticket and the destination printed upon that ticket, I do feel that my intention to travel in accordance within the rules of travel – that I have indeed purchased a ticket, that additionally my supporting materials collaborate this with evidence of purchase and intended destination, that I did make a simple mistake. I wish to offer my unreserved apology for my actions in the hope that you will allow this matter to be resolved without court action and thereby allowing me to preserve my good name. I have not previously been reported nor travelled without paying the fare due I understand that fare evasion is a serious problem and unfair to the vast majority of travellers who pay the correct fare every time, I hope that you will recognise that I did genuinely make an honest mistake and did not with intention, attempt to avoid payment for my journey. I am offering to pay the full fare that is due and the reasonable costs that have been incurred by the rail company in the hope that you will allow me to make amends for this mistake. Yours,

Update - I'll update my original post with the letter I went with for reference in case anyone finds themselves in a similar situation. Alongside the letter, I included a print of bank statement showing purchase of ticket. Wrote out a letter for the friend I was visiting which stated his address and my intention to visit on the date. I correlated with my purchased destination and statement of simply missing my stop and not intention to purchase cheap ticket and travel further, which would have cost more. Provided a passport photo copy to fix the name issue. I hand delivered the letter to their offices in KingX station as I left it a little late to post. This wasn't a problem. Some details I left out the original post as I didn't feel it was relevant at that point in time - The RPI guy was quick to escalate the issue. My inexperience in train travel led me to believe I could pay a fixed penalty or whatever cost incurred for being out of zone. His immediate response was to contact police. No questions, no hesitation. Attitude was terrible. There were two of them, the second accused me of being someone he'd caught previously, stating that I was Dutch and attempted to run. I'm English and London born. Once we exited the train and they had calmed, we talked generally as I was keen to determine the seriousness of the situation; this was after contact details were exchanged btw. They told me a letter would be sent requesting my side of the story, and that I may not be charged. My response was we're both old enough to know how the system works... They both smiled, and said I'd be charged but when pushed, had no idea how much this would be. I'm a friendly guy that can talk to most people so none of this was heated, just general chat. It did leave me feeling screwed over and, well I knew this already of course, but reinforced that its simply a system to generate more money. It sucks! Anyway, rushed update. It came to £60.40 in the end. Admin fees...

Thanks bee; I think we were both simultaneously making similar edits I was curious how quickly the forum moves – I was passed the letter late and only have until Sunday to reply – 21 days from receiving the letter / it does not specify if these 21 are working days only or not. I figure it’s best to play it safe. Their return address is Kings Cross. Thought crossed my mind to both recorded deliver and also deliver in person. Anyone have experience in delivering in person? Thanks again

Hi everyone I imagine, like many others, I stumbled upon this excellent forum having received this letter and diving onto Google. I’ve been reading a few posts from years past and taken on the advice there. I also entered into a thread elsewhere within the forum (I'm unable to link to it due to new member status) and use the template provided as a base for my own response, which is also contained below. THE DETAILS The letter reads: On Tuesday 14th April at 11:40 your details were taken by a Revenue Protection Inspector en route near Denmark Hill station, on board the 11:20 train from West Hampstead Thameslink station to Sevenoaks station. Proceeding paragraphs outline cost of travel fraud to rail industry and details of potential penalty for offenders. Alleged Offence: Entering a train for the purpose of travelling without a ticket entitling travel. NOTES For reasons unknown to me, my first name is printed incorrectly, it is wrong. My middle and last names are correct. During the encounter, I provided ID upon request. I’ve noted this in the letter below and presume(?) this to be of little consequence to the matter at hand. I’m super unfamiliar with trains and buying tickets in general. I cycle everywhere. On this day, I was visiting a friend for the first time at their home way out somewhere I’d not been to before. I punched the address into Google Maps and followed that route. I purchased a paper ticket from Victoria to Bellingham. I subsequently missed my stop without realising. I realised this once it was noted I was beyond my stated destination by the RPI. The paper ticket was retained by the RPI, my bank statement shows a £7.20 purchase on the 14th April. I was considering attaching this as supporting evidence. My friend whom I was visiting works alongside me. I was considering he write a supporting letter to be attached on company headed paper (intention being to make it more official and believable), confirming my intentions on that date to visit him, collaborating the address – this would be to clarify I was not attempting to travel somewhere further, which would have cost more, and thus purchased a cheaper ticket with intention of paying less. Hopefully that makes sense. I think that is all the information I can think to provide, please feel free to request more. My intended letter is provided below, please feel free to review and suggest amendments. A super long post I know; I’m not particularly rolling in money and the thought of paying out sucks. Be sure to know that any advice you guys provide is extremely welcome and thanks so much for taking the time out to read all this. Very much appreciated. THE LETTER To whom it may concern, I write regarding the letter received concerning the occasion on 14th April 2015 at 11:49 when I was reported for travelling without a valid rail ticket. I firstly would like to amend the name attached to the matter at hand where it should read: D****rather than the current G****. I can offer no assistance to this error having provided supporting identification upon request by the attending Revenue Protection Inspector in the form of VISA DEBIT card and my place of work Identification Card which provides full name and photo. My final destination during this period of travel was **ADDRESS**, a work associate’s home whom I was visiting for the first time. This is pertinent as it reflects my intended destination in relation to the encounter with the Revenue Protection Inspector. I additionally attach a supporting letter from this associate, **NAME**, confirming my intention to visit him on this date and time. My intended route to this destination was from Victoria station to Bellingham and a short bus ride thereon. I purchased a return travel ticket from Victoria station for this specific destination. (I provide additional proof in the form of bank statement where date, time and cost can be measured against this statement – I no longer retain the travel ticket as this was confiscated by the Revenue Protection Inspector). Being an inexperienced rail traveller (I cycle daily) I lost myself to both music and reading material and subsequently missed my stop; I was unaware of this. I was confronted by a Revenue Protection Inspector at the station Shortlands. I attempted to explain my mistake and made offer to both pay for any additional fares I incurred or on-the-spot-penalty. Both were declined. After providing personal details upon request, both myself and attending Revenue Protection Inspector exited the train at the station St Mary Cray. Curiously, it appears a ticket purchase for the date Tuesday 30th June via the website thetrainlineDOTcom for similar travel times as mine on the 14th April offer a lower price of £6.90 than that of the £7.20 I actually paid for my intended destination. Understanding that I was ‘out of bounds’ in regards my ticket and the destination printed upon that ticket, I do feel that my intention to travel in accordance within the rules of travel – that I have indeed purchased a ticket, that additionally my supporting materials collaborate this with evidence of purchase and intended destination, that I did make a simple mistake. I wish to offer my unreserved apology for my actions in the hope that you will allow this matter to be resolved without court action and thereby allowing me to preserve my good name. I have not previously been reported nor travelled without paying the fare due I understand that fare evasion is a serious problem and unfair to the vast majority of travellers who pay the correct fare every time, I hope that you will recognise that I did genuinely make an honest mistake and did not with intention, attempt to avoid payment for my journey. I am offering to pay the full fare that is due and the reasonable costs that have been incurred by the rail company in the hope that you will allow me to make amends for this uncharacteristic act. Yours etc. Should that last paragraph be included? I'm unsure what route to take here as the above was written in supprt of a different scenario as mine..