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  1. Hello, I am new to this forum so I’m not sure but I’ll tell what happened first and I will really appreciate any help you can give me. First of all, I know it’s my mistake and I deeply regret this now. I saw this intagram page about 16+ Oyster cards for anyone (I’m 20) for £40 and contacted the guy and he set up and application for me and all. was having financial problems and I’m a student I was stupid enough to do something awfully regrettable like this. paid him applied for the card. got it used it for a while. got caught by a ticket officer got a letter from tfl asking me to write to them explaining why this incidence happened. I don’t know what to do. please help me out. This is my first time getting into trouble like this and I’m very regrettable and scared that I’ll be prosecuted. I’ll never ever do anything like this again. Please help me out. This is the letter I received from tfl. Please give me any advice you have on writing a reply to them. I have already started to draft a letter with my apologies and answering them honestly. But the letter they sent does not mention anything about fake photo card so should I tell them about it or just apologise for not having a valid card and offer to pay for any loses/fines. I am terrified about being prosecuted for this.
  2. Hello lovely people, I am creating a new thread as that seems to be the done thing around here. I am seeking some advice on how to respond from a scary TfL letter in regards to fare evasion. I honestly just thought I'd get sent a fine, especially with this being my first offence for such a thing but apparently not. like many others on these forums I have been caught using the wrong oyster on a TfL bus. I was in a rush and I grabbed my brothers student Oyster (it has his photo on) instead of my own (plain blue Oyster linked to my railcard so does have a slight discount) and shoved it in my purse. It was the morning, I was tired and in a rush and they were both on the same table and they do look the same from the back. I tap in on the bus, after which I realise I have his card. I panic slightly but am already running late, so just go and sit down assuming it'll be fine as the driver didn't say anything. that moment later a ticket inspector comes onto the bus. I admit my mistake right away saying I’m sorry I took my brothers card not my own, he takes my name DoB and address. As he’s printing out the receipt of him confiscating the card I realise I have my contactless card on me and offer to tap it in, he says no its too late for that. He also explains it will be quicker for my brother to purchase a new oyster than to try and get the confiscated one back from TfL as this could take months. He doesn’t say anything about a fine or prosecution, I just assumed I’d get a fine through the post. on Monday 28th (yesterday) I receive a letter stating what many others have also been through: In order for TfL to deal with this case correctly, please return the information requested on the reverse of this letter... 1. If you deny committing an offence, please explain why.... 2. If you accept committing an offence, please provide any exceptional reasons including pre-existing medical conditions that you may feel are relevant and evidence to support this, as to why TfL should nor proceed with a prosecution.... The way it is worded makes it hard to know which of these two I should go with, but based of what I've read from other experiences is to accept your wrong doings and give your side of the story. I have drafted out a grovelling apology in order to try and get this settled out of court. I really cannot afford a criminal record especially now with a child on the way (I am seven weeks pregnant) I am currently between jobs and to have an offence flag up on every application will make the process much more difficult. I just wonder what chances I have with getting an out of court settlement. I also wonder whether it is worth noting my pregnancy - it has made me feel notably out of sorts and could well have attributed to the carelessness of taking the wrong card? Or will this embellishment just seem unnecessary to TfL. Thanks in advance for anyone taking the time to help out, I really appreciate it.
  3. I purchased fake Oyster card I have emailed soo much tfl seem to continue with the prosecution should I plead guilty and appear in court or plead guilty and let court settle
  4. I brought a monthly pass using my bf’s student card accidentally and then I discovered few days later. The reason I didn't realise at that time is that we have the same card holder and both with the ID photo facing down, and we both have the 18+ student oyster card so the charge for the monthly pass is the same as well. Then we decided to keep using it and make sure is only me (one person using the card), so we didn’t take any advantage of tfl. as we are new to the country we didn't know the consequences of using someone else’s oyster would be so serious (eg criminal record). I got caught today on my way back home on the bus, the inspector took my bf’s card and took my personal details, and told me the tfl would send me a letter to ask me clarify the situation. I don’t think I am taking any advantage of tfl by paying less using a discounted card but I have seen some of the case on the internet and I am surprised by how serious of the consequences. I am really worried about it now and can anyone give me some suggestions on how can I write my letter? Or having the same experience as me that can share with me how did you manage it? Also, anyone can tell me if I am having a high chance of getting a criminal record from this? I really hope that it can resolved outside the court as I am an international student studying healthcare related subjects. Having a criminal record would mean that I cannot get a job in this field and wasted my three years of education. Thank You and I really appreciate it if anyone can help me.
  5. Hi everyone, I've lurked a little through some of the other freedom pass misuse threads but thought I'd make my own, sorry if you're tired of these. Before I get into it, call me stupid (I am) but I really did not stop to think about where the money came from so people who need it can use freedom passes, what I was doing and how wrong it was, I only found out after doing some research and I feel extremely ashamed and disgusted at myself for this. I completely admit what I did was wrong and if worst case scenario I am charged with it, I accept my faults and take responsibility. However, if it can be helped I would really not like to hinder my future career, I really do not want this time of ignorance and foolishness to determine my future. I was stopped by an inspector(?) on my way to my retail job who took my details, I admitted it wasn't my card and I had taken it from my mother to avoid paying the fee and save money, and that I had done this more than this one time. I then got a letter from TfL asking if I accept commiting the offence or not and any exceptional reasons, including evidence, as to why TfL should not proceed with a prosecution. I replied with an email expressing my remose and accepting my actions and how foolish it was. I explained why I did it, I was in a really difficult place with money which had been contributing to my depression so I had been using it to and from work, but I know this is no excuse and I know what I did was completely wrong. I also explained the adverse impact it will have on my future career, and offer reasonable monetary sums equivalent to any related fines and administrative fees incurred by the company to settle out of court. The original email was a lot more thorough and remoseful but that is the main points I had, I'm happy to show the full email if necessary. They did not reply to that email, but a few months later I recieved a letter inviting me to court. It reads: [NAME] You are required to appear on [DATE] at [TIME] before [X] Magistrates' Court at [X ADDRESS] to answer the following charge: That you on [DATE OF OFFENCE] at Oxford Circus did enter a compulsory ticket area without having with you a valid ticket. Contrary to Byelaw 17(1) of the Transport for London Railway Byelaws made under paragraph 26 of Schedule 11 to the Greater London Authority Act 1999 and confirmed under section 67 of the Transport Act 1962. [...] On [DATE] [DEFENDANT] travelled from [sTATION] to Oxford Circus station. At 7:52am she produced a Disabled Persons Freedom Pass of high value that did not belong to her and was not valid for her to use. She admitted the pass belonged to her mum and that she was using it to save money. Further analysis of the recent usage of the pass showed an addition 48 journeys where fares totalling £237.40 has been avoided. An application will be made in court for a £338 contributtion towards TfL... I believe my case will be a difficult one considering the number of uses. I hope to settle out of court and pay any fines, and if they decide not to I will attend the court and plead guilty and explain how sorry I am even if they do charge me. Currently I am unsure what to do from here. They did not reply to my initial email. Should I be contacting the Investigations, Appeals and Proecutions team? Should I plead guilty on the court letters I have recieved as soon as possible? What exactly is Byelaw 17(1)? will I be getting a criminal record, what are my possible outcomes? I assume worst case is I get a criminal record, and best case is I settle out of court, but are there any other outcomes? How much will any kind of record hinder my career, what kind of checks are done? Thank you for taking the time to read and any advice will be greatly appreciated.
  6. Good morning, Lets I will explain situation. My girlfriend bought 1 month ago at work 50% discount card from colleague. The card was sold with oyster and 50% Jobcentre discount card. The person put her photo inside the job centre card and signed for it. She was told that it is legal card and he is working in Job Centre. Yesterday inspector stopped her on the bus and she told that the card is fake one and she can not use it. She paid for this card 80 pounds to this guy. They confiscated it and gave her two tickets: one for counterfeit ticket and other for reference. They told that the letter will come in next 10 days. I have several questions: 1.) What happened next 2.) What you suggest me to do? 3.) Any recommendation? Thank you.
  7. Hi, I have received a letter from TFL for failing to produce a valid ticket, pass or photocard for my journey the London Underground. have asked for my side of the story and have been advised that legal proceedings may be taken against me. What happened is that I was on the tube then an inspector came on and I gave him the Oyster card that I had used for the journey. He scanned it and asked to see the railcard attached so I gave him my student railcard. He then told me that there is a greater discount on the card and asked if I have another railcard. I said that I don't. The inspector revealed that it was a privilege discount which is 75% and that I should have a privilege card to be entitled to it. he then cautioned me and started questioning me and I explained that I bought the blue Oyster card and then asked a staff member to attach my 16-25 student railcard to it. The inspector withdrew the oyster but returned my student railcard. I was told that even though it may have been a staff mistake where the wrong discount was attached, TFL can still take action against me for using a discount that I wasn't eligible for and benefitting from it. Please advise me on how to respond to their letter. Should I argue that it is not my fault that the staff made a mistake and I am not responsible to correct it. It was the staff's responsibility to check the right discount was given and there was no reason for me to assume they could not properly perform their job. Also, I could have only found out that the wrong discount was given after using the oyster and then calculating the fare I was charged, so travelling without a valid photocard was unavoidable. I didn't know that privilege discount existed, so even if I noticed that I had a greater discount, I would have still not known what is was for me to go and report it. I would appreciate any help on how to respond to this to get the best outcome possible.
  8. i got the letter today informing me that tfl intend to prosecute and i can either plead guilty and not come to court , plead not guilty and come to court or plead not guilty and attend a trial. They have charged me with the following: On (date), you did enter a compulsory ticket area without having with you a valid ticket. Contrary to byelaw 17 (1) of the Transport for London Railway Byelaws Made under Paragraph 26 of schedule 11 to the greater london authority act 1999 and confirmed under section 67 of the transport Act 1962. The situation was that when i tapped my oyster card at a station without a ticket barrier, I didn't realise the red light flashed and the sound played differently, and I rushed onto the waiting train. I arrived at my destination and I realised I had insufficient funds on my oyster card when I was unable to exit. It was a genuine mistake, with no deliberate intent to evade the fares, but TfL are still intending to prosecute. I'm a regular commuter and a university student, with a pristine oyster card history, so I am worried about what to do now. Any help or guidance, or sharing of experiences will be greatly appreciated.
  9. I have discovered your site investigating what to do in this case and would sincerely appreciate your help. I will offer feedback and donate for your time and energy. I really need your help. I used my mums oyster after losing my wallet and needed to get to a wedding over a weekend. When returning into London, the high value pass obviously flagged things to the inspectors who were waiting at the station. I had all my details taken. The inspector understood I'd lost my wallet and I didn't answer any further questions. I was sent a letter with a fine and a conviction if i plead guilty. The problem with these cases, is that whether or not I did it unwittingly (as in, didn't realise I was using a high value pass) it doesn't matter. It was a misuse and the conviction stands. I can't have a conviction hanging over my head and the thought of it fills me with absolute dread. I have just recently gained a permanent residency in Canada and intend eventually to work in the States and a conviction would be so detrimental to have on my record and affect my work situation. I am so deeply regretful for something so stupid and avoidable. I have received a letter stating the fine i have to pay and the fact that it will go on my record and like the other cases stated here on the forum, can either plead guility and pay the fine or plead not guilty and prove my innocence, which isn't possible. What are the options available to me? Can I call them and ask to appeal? Should I hire a solicitor before it's too late? (I have roughly 10 days before the deadline now). Is settling on the day the last option available and should I get a solicitor before that time to make sure that I don't risk it not going in my favour on the final day? How often are people able to settle on the day in your opinion? What does a settlement amount normally come to? I really appreciate your help on this. I've just returned to London to the letter and have limited time to respond and would like to know the best way to reach out to TFL. Will a letter take too long. I think so. Should I simply call them or go via a solicitor? It seems that no matter what people do with their letters, it always comes back with a conviction and fine. I was going to call citizens advice first thing tomorrow, but if you can recommend a solicitor please do. i live in London. Many thanks
  10. Hi, My husband rents a black taxi and I have just received a PCN dated 14th June for a contravention that occurred on 12 Feb! I am about to ring the taxi firm as I'm not 100% sure that he had this cab at the time (he has to swap them when they have to go in for repairs etc) but isn't 4 months a bit of a long time?? this is from TFL
  11. my son used his girlfriends student oyster card and was caught. He received a letter asking him if he wanted to appeal and if he did not to ignore the letter so he ignored the letter as knew he had done wrong. he did not hear from them again for around 6 months, and moved house in December. this month he had an attachment of earnings and £390 taken out of his wages. When querying this he was directed to a debt company who said that TFL had written to his old address in November (when he still lived there) to say they were taking him to court. He lived in a bedsit and often did not receive mail that I sent him. they say he owes nearly £500 and will take the rest from next months wages. He has always been happy to pay the fine, but has never been contacted about it by email or phone, and has only their word that they sent a letter. He also does not know if he now has a criminal record. We don`t know where to go or what to do next-can anyone help please? thanks very much
  12. Hi Guys, It's nice to meet you all. I have been a lurker looking around for months now so have become accustomed to a lot of the regulars on this forum and just want to say thank you before I even start to members such as OC, Underground and others who take time out to give advice and help others. Now for the point at hand, I was stopped at a central london station this year and a family members freedom pass was in my possession, long story short, I was questioned by a TFL member, I had not realised I had used the pass as I also had my Oyster with enough credit to travel however as I have read this does not matter since it is my responsibility to know which card I was using. I got the letter from TFL asking for my side of events, I let them know about the Oyster and the fact it had been topped up that morning, they took this into account with evidence I provided however last week I was sent a court summons for the following: You are hear-by summoned to appear at Magistrates court.... That on (said date) you did entered a compulsory ticket area without having with you a valid ticket.. Contrary to Bye-law 17 (1) of the TFL railway byelaws made under paragraph 26 of schedule 11 to the greater London Authority act 1999, and confirmed under section... of the Transport Act 1962. London Underground will be applying for the sum of ...... and the price for a single ticket. Above I have tried to provide as much information as possible, now having read through the statements etc and this forum I understand the the charge is not for the The Regulation of Railways Act 1889 which I understand is worse and relates specifically to fare evasion, it is in-fact for Bye-law 17 (1). I am guessing that due to the evidence I provided they decided not to go with proving intent etc and the RORA but chose a charge I cannot dispute - strict liability as I have read in other threads. My questions are as follows: I have read countless examples on here and other websites about Bye-law 18 etc but not very much on 17 hence am wondering what exactly is 17 (1) all about? and why does it state that it is exempt: "Any person who breaches any of these Byelaws commits an offence and, with the exception of Byelaw 17, may be liable for each such offence to a penalty not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale". ? Next I have read countless debates on whether a bye-law and in my case specifically 17(1) relates to a Criminal Record and conviction, I am genuinely confused about this, is it in fact recorded? Is it a criminal record? Finally I am attending court soon and will update everyone as to how it proceeds to help others. I have decided to plead guilty based on what I have read in the summons and go in person. I have spoken to a family friend (solicitor) who is looking into the summons and whether to pursue or even attempt and out of court settlement with the TFL prosecution office. Is this worth following up? Thanks for taking the time to read this.
  13. Hi TFL lost the appeal against and the adjudicator didnt even hear the appeal and gave decision in my case - how can I claim compensation for loss of time ?
  14. The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 states: Box junction means the area of carriageway marked with yellow cross-hatching at a junction between two or more roads… Yellow box junctions seem to apply specifically to road junctions. How does TFL validate PCNs issued with regard to yellow box junctions, outside fire stations, where no road junction is involved? Is there separate legislation, or regulations, regarding this and if so, can anyone let me know what they are?
  15. Hi all, the register keeper has received out of the blue a notice of enforcement for "entering and stopping in a box junction in march 2017". unbeknown to them and without any prior communication from TFL or equite, this Equita letter is demanding £278 which is made of £203 debt and £75 Compliance stage fee! the date on the equita letter stating the date of the contravention is also incorrect on the equita letter. tfl states it was in November last year. they are asking for the money within two days too, is that even legal? just seen the photos from 2016, looks like the keeper has entered the box junction and half the car is blocked from exiting. can we speak to someone to reduce the PCN to the original amount if we have not received ANY communication? not sure what to do and the keeper (related to me) is very worried. seen this on the TFL site, do they not have 30 days to issue? 15/11/2016 PCN Issued 23/12/2016 Charge Certificate Issued sorry contravention date is : Contravention date and time: 09 November, 2016
  16. Dear Sir, Last week I was travelling from west drayton (west london) to shepherd bush station I was caught by the Revenue Inspector at the shepherd bush station as I stupidly used my tesco club card to touch out instead of oyster card as both were in the same pocket. I also forgot to touch in at west drayton as I was getting late and ran to board the train as there are no barriers. I apologized the inspector and then I showed him my oyster card, he looked at the history and found out the last time I used the card was 6 months back. I told him that I mainly work from home and don't come to city too often. He then grilled me for 15 mins, took all the notes about name, contact number and address where the oyster card is registered etc, read out my rights, get the notes signed by me and let me go out without giving me any penalty fare. He said they will communicate further and I will get copy of these notes as well. Later on I realized that my oyster card was registered at the OLD address (moved to new address 6 months back) wondering when they will write to me, it will go to the old address. I then called TFL customer service and got my address updated and explained them the whole situation. They advised me that if I was caught then I should have received the penalty fare there n then and if they let me go out without PF there is nothing to worry and I should simply ignore the incident, which I don't think is a great advice. Now I did bit of googling and really worried after seeing so many people have been criminally prosecuted due to fare evasion by TFL. I have not received any communication from the TFL as yet. Please advice me 1. What are my options about the above incident and how can I avoid criminal conviction and do out of court settlement as Criminal record will severely affect my current career and any future job prospects as I work in financial sector? This is the first time that this has happened to me and I am extremely stressed about the whole situation. I could not sleep, eat and work properly from last one week. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Many Thanks.
  17. I was caught using a child's ticket by TFL (although my friend who is 2 years older wasn't stopped at the same station...) after received a letter about it, telling me to write back to them and tell my version of events. I wrote back a pathetically grovelling letter of apology and have received a letter in response telling me I will receive only a formal warning if I pay £254.90. An extortionate amount, but I can pay (thank you student loan) and my question is - would a formal warning show up on a criminal record? I study PPE and hope to possibly enter the realm of politics so that wouldn't bode well for me. if anyone could help and tell me whether this would show up on a check, that'd be great.
  18. Hi all, Im totally new to this forum and wanted some advice from you all. I've done the necessary searches for a case similar to mine but couldn't find anything. Here goes: Contravention happened on Bright Road in Purley, Surrey. There are 2 red route bays there that you can park in. One has the times of 7am-7pm and the other is 10am-4pm. I was unsure as to which was which and stopped in the 10-4 one at 09:55, got out of the car to check the board with the times on (as it faces the pavement as opposed to the road) and got back in my car to drive around the block a couple of times to make up the 5 mins. Received a PCN on September 2015. Wrote a letter requesting CCTV footage for the time period between 09:55 & 10:00. I heard nothing back from them until September 2016 (12 months later) requesting £190 as the time had apsed to pay the original £65. I immediately wrote a letter informing them that since I received no reply, I assumed this PCN was null and void. The responded saying that they had sent out CCTV footage and I had failed to pay. I wrote another letter explaining that I hadn't received any correspondence to which they then sent CCTV footage (signed for Royal Mail) They then raised this with the County Court. I've filled out a TE9 and received a letter today from the courts saying that the 'Order for the Charge has been Cancelled'. The CCTV footage is only for the minute of 09:55 where I drove into the bay and semi-parked to check the times. They haven't given me any more footage after 09:55 to show that I had in fact driven off. My questions are: Can they send a reminder out to pay a PCN exactly 12 months later? Can they select what parts of the CCTV footage they can send me? Im currently on maternity leave and really cant afford to pay £200 for a fine. Can I fight this and on what grounds? Many Thanks in Advance
  19. I went through the barriers at Oxford Circus with Grandad's freedom pass (which I used by mistake thinking it was my own ticket - we'd gone out to lunch for my 18th and he gave me his stuff to look after) and got stopped rather aggressively by a Revenue Inspector. I got the impression that he was the police 'cos he read me my rights. I was sh .... ing myself cos I'm not from London but had heard stories of brutality from the police. This guy was definitely trying to provoke a physical response from me but I kept my cool 'cos I was in a suit. He questioned me about the freedom ticket and I explained what had happened. He was having none of it. He was so close to my face that he was spraying spit too. I just immediately volunteered to go and get a ticket which I did and after extensive questioning and detaining me, continued my journey. Next thing I know, I've been charged under s.17(1) TFL Bye law (is this a strict liability offence?) for apparently entering a "compulsory ticket area" without a ticket (I'm not a Londoner and so was pretty shocked by Revenue Inspector's behaviour). He is relying on his statement. I am pleading not guilty because having traced my steps back to Oxford Circus I can't see that it is a compulsory ticket area. My mother is livid and wants to countersue for the guy's behaviour. What I want to ask is (a) because I bought a ticket before getting on a train does that get me off the hook (b) the RI's statement is a lie - it's as if I've been framed because of the way he's worded it. Is the RI's statement still valid if I haven't signed it? Can I sue him back? Is there any good case law I can use in my defence, please. Thank you.
  20. Hi everybody, I was caught in early November using my father's freedom Pass in the middle of my return journey (I used the Undeground zone 1- travelling to zone 4) I stayed with the lady Revenue inspector around 30 min and she took all the details needed against me in the court (is the station where you are going near your house, how tall I am, what I am wearing...). At the end: she gave me to read the following written in a small paper: “You do not have to say anything. But, it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.” She took all the correct answers except how many times I have used the Pass. I said just once (and how stupid I was, I said...you have camera..something like that). Few days later I got a letter from TFL to explain/give comments. Thank you so much for your help through this forum, I read few threads and I responded back with an apology letter + my supported documents + offer to pay the reasonable costs. However I said "I have not done so before" in the letter. Few days later, I got another letter saying: " ............. ............... In relation to your actions you state "I have not done so before". I have analysed the recent travel usage on the Freedom Pass withdrawn from you. The pattern of usage would appear to indicate that the incident was not a one-off. This is of concern to TFL. As it currently stands TFL do not wish to accept your offer of a payment as a closure to the matter. I must point out that legal proceedings may still be taken against you. ..................... Firstname Lastname Investigator/prosecutor" OK, now it is true that I used same time and days on more occasions. but I did not confess that. Did they use CCTV to prove against me for the previous ones please? This is my first time I was caught, I regret my actions. I have a clean record so far and I am just now aware that what I have done is a very serious matter that leads to a criminal record, I really didn't know before. I am so scared and can't stop thinking about the matter. I am looking for a job but I can't concentrate properly, already graduated but got visa problems to start work before. I want to avoid criminal record please. I got that letter around 20 days ago but I didn't respond back, 1) do you know what shall I do please? Shall I contact the person dealing with my case, shall I be honest in everything? or shall I just wait for their response? 2) If the option is to contact the person dealing with my case, what shall i say to him/her please? I know I will be trembling answering any questions.. .i don't like to make my case worse as well. ..give some evidence against me. How long does it take for TFL to prosecute someone please? 3) Is it another big mistake to lie via correspondence. Shall I have to rectify my double mistake by calling the concerned person or via post (in case I need it later at court). I know credibility is important...well it is done now and what shall I do next please. I am really confused, as when contacting solicitors.. .some they said I have to wait for TFL response.. .some they said I have to react asap and try to settle out of court.. ..one he said I can not be your solicitor because I lied via correspondence (just frightening). I am very very sorry for my actions, I regret it and I didn't know the last bad consequences. I don't know the best thing to do and how and what to say. ..Is there any chance for my case to settle out of court please. Even though I am feeling that I am just waiting to get a summons to go to court. Thank you
  21. Hi there, I'm new on this forum and I don't know exactly how it works. I did a bad mistake too. I was caught with apparently fake photo card issued by job center with 50% discount. I've purchase it from a guy in Canning Town tube station saying it's valid and it did work.Thinking I can save some money and it's legal was very happy ,but after 3 weeks using it an Inspector caught me saying is a fake one.. The only problem is I've done a similar mistake about 3 years ago...this means i'm a recidivist ? Can you please help me out with advise what to do and how to reply to the letter i received from tfl? Thank you!
  22. I was caught using my Dad's Freedom Pass end of November and it almost looks certain that TfL will prosecute me for doing so as they can probably build a strong case against me. Of course, I regret my actions and am hoping to find some assistance here to help minimise repercussions. Please have patience with me and read my story. I don't expect any sympathy as I know I am totally in the wrong, but I don't need any nasty unkind comments. So here is my story. [ The facts of the incident ] I beeped through the barriers and was called to the side by two undercover TfL officers, who requested that I show my ticket. Knowingly, that I used a fraudulent card, I produced a standard oyster card that I've not used for months. Of course they knew this wasn't the card I beeped in with. He checked the oyster and told me there was still credit on it, but hasn't been used or topped up for months. He asked me to produce the real card (Freedom Pass). I tried looking confused, but the officer wasn't going to be entertained and threatened that he would search me if I didn't cooperate. I handed over my Dad's Freedom pass and began to feel like distress coming on as the only thought running through my head was. .. 'the crap has finally hit the fan'. He told me he stopped me because abusing Freedom Passes was a high-risk target. He then goes on to take my details and ask a lot of questions and wrote it all down in his notebook. Most importantly... "Do you know that you've committed a serious offense?" - "I'm not really sure, I thought I could use it." "How did you obtain this card?" - "My dad wasn't using it and I thought I would borrow it." "How often have you used it?" - "I just started using it this week." "Today is Wed, so you've used it for a total of 3 days?" - "Yes, I guess so." "Are you sure? We can track the usage of the card and find out everything." - "Erm... Yes." "Where were you traveling from and where were you going?" - "I'm going home from work." After he finished asking me questions, he let me read through his notes to check if anything was different from what was said. I said it was fine. He then wanted me to sign and date it, but before doing so he said... "After I let you go, I want you to know that I am only giving you a caution. After you sign this, I will file a report and you will receive a letter about the event that has occurred. You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence. Anything you do say may be given in evidence, etc... Do you understand what I have just said to you?" Trying to get a moment to think about the situation, I asked him to repeat as I was under the feeling of duress I suppose. I answered "YES" and signed his notepad. He told me to exit the gates by one of the staff and I re-enter with the other oyster card as there was sufficient credit. [ Unsaid truths ] Obviously, I didn't have a clear head, being under pressure and scared... so I wasn't entirely truthful. When he asked how often I had used the card, I was thinking to lie in the hope that it wouldn't turn out more serious than I thought it surely would. I had thought that I hadn't been stopped before as I normally come and go at peak times when it's very busy (Piccadilly circus), so it would be difficult to go through all the CCTV and check who used the card. I stupidly thought it plausible that my Dad could have been using it up till the time I "said" I had started using it. In actual fact, I had been using it for 3 months(!) - yes, shame on me! There will obviously be a pattern for the last 3 months traveling between home and work. In a panic, I started reading up on cases on various forums (including CAG). I read somewhere that when an officer conducts an interview for facts, the statement of Right to Silence must be cited before the interview starts. * If the officer only did this at the end, like I mentioned... what bearing does that have on my case? [ Received a letter from TfL asking me to comment on the event ] So I received the standard letter and having read a few cases, it was advised to just grovel and beg for mercy... so I replied as follows: [[ Dear Sir/Madam, I would like to start by saying that I deeply regret my actions, which were completely out of character and as a result of stupidity. I had actually lost my oyster card that I normally use over the weekend. In the rush of leaving for work in the morning and without clearing thinking of the consequences, I foolishly picked up my father’s Freedom Pass in addition to a spare one I found lying around. I simply thought to use the Freedom pass temporarily until I’d gotten paid so I could buy a new monthly travelcard. I was not aware that it is a criminal offence to use someone else’s Freedom pass. I know now, there is no excuse or valid reason for using someone else’s pass and am deeply sorry for not travelling on public transport without a valid ticket. The whole situation has left me quite distraught and I would appreciate the opportunity to settle the matter without court proceedings to avoid even further stress, wasting everyone’s time and resources, and incurring further costs. I completely accept that I am in the wrong. This is my first offence and will certainly be the last! It is not a mistake I will ever be repeating. I humbly ask that you give me the opportunity to compensate TFL for reasonable costs/fine/fare in order to conclude the matter promptly. I am currently engaged to my fiance overseas, and would like to invite her over to get married on a visitor visa. I fear that any legal prosecution would greatly reduce our chances of getting accepted for the visa. ]] [ Reply from TfL ] TRAVEL IRREGULARITY Thank you for responding to our enquiry letter, your comments will be taken into consideration when reviewing this case. Please note it is the responsibility of a passenger to ensure they have a valid ticket... After examining the journey history obtained from the freedom pass, it is apparent that this was not a 'one off' incident. It is suspected that you have made more than 80 journeys, avoiding fares of over £400, this we see as an aggravating feature in your case. I must point out that legal proceedings may still be taken against you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can assist you further. [ End of letter ] I've almost lost all hope of being able to settle out of court. To only thing I can think of is to try to appeal to the humanity of the investigating officer with my mitigating circumstances. I know I'm not angel, but I like to think I'm a fairly decent human being. I pay my taxes, had my fair share of hardships and could really do without this hanging over my head. To try and put across my frame of mind at the time, here is my personal story... [ Circumstances ] I quit my job as an IT professional about 2 years ago. Went to pursue a relationship and take a break from work, and do some traveling. Relationship didn't work out and it's 6 months since I've been working. Feeling really down, and a million miles from home in the country I was born, I visited distant relatives for a little support. I met someone through introduction and we hit it off so I was able to get over my last failed relationship. We are now engaged and are planning a future together. I've been living off my savings for almost 2 years. I was practically living, counting the pennies for the 6 months I had been back in UK and looking for work. It is quite difficult getting back into things after such a long break. I chose not to go on Job Seeker allowance which is a particular drain on taxes. I grit my teeth hoping that I'd find a job any day. So up til this incident, I've been working in a new job for 3 months. Slowly trying to save money to be able to bring my other half here so we can be married and start a life together. Right about the time I just started my job, my Dad offers to let me use his freedom pass!!! Oh how I wish right now he didn't tempt me... I had always paid my travel costs as any good citizen would. He argued that it would help save costs and aid in my efforts to bring my other half over (requiring financial support). My Dad has no clue of legal stuff so didn't know the complications in their entirety when giving me his freedom pass. I knew it wasn't right to use it, but thought to myself - "How bad could it be? A slap on the wrist, a fine, and repay the cost of travels that I evaded. " I had no clue whatsoever, that it could result in a criminal offense and would certainly refused his offer had I known. I've not seen my other half for almost a year and it's quite difficult on us both. This is really the last thing I need in the world and certainly won't reflect well, when applying for a VISA for other half to come here as I would have to sponsor and be financially accountable for. I am trying desperately to build a good supporting case for VISA approval. [ and closing... ] Thank you for reading my story and I hope some of you may be able to offer some guidance on what to do next. I am dreading the day I get a court summons...
  23. Hello, I do hope there is someone who knows the answer to my question. I have looked for several days and can't find the answer. I have a hired truck and TfL have issued a ticket five months after the event. They contacted the registered keeper for the hirer details within 14 days and then took four and a half months to sent it to me. Could anyone tell me how long they have. It was a regulation 10 PCN. Very many thanks to anyone who can respond.
  24. Evening guys and Merry Xmas on a pleasant December afternoon I received a letter from TFL (PCN attached below) dated 14/12/2015 for an offence that apparently took place on 29/07/2015 in Stamford Hill (Hackney). Contravention: 46: Stopped where prohibited (on a red route or clearway). The PCN further goes on to say that... The PCN was served by post because a Civil enforcement officer 'T' observed the vehicle identified above from 11:11 to 11.11 and had begun to prepare a PCN but the vehicle concerned was driven away from the place in which it was stationary before the CEO had finished preparing the PCN or served it by fixing it to the vehicle or giving it to the person appearing to be in charge of the vehicle. I live in Hackney and Stamford Hill is quite a long road. I can't recall this taking place and neither can my brother who is the 2nd named driver on my vehicle. As far as I am concerned the contravention did not occur. I called TFL soon after receiving the PCN to enquire. I asked the exact location of this contravention, but they did not have this information on them. I then asked if they had any pictures to jog my memory. However, I was informed that TFL did not have any evidence/pictures to prove this as I allegedly drove away before the the CEO could take pictures. What's the best line of defence against this PCN?
  25. Hi Guys, As I was getting off a double decker bus in London, the bus driver deliberately closed the doors on me which caused me to stumble off the bus but I didn't fall. I felt a bit sore the next day but it didn't last. The driver had a hostile attitude when I got on the bus even though I thanked him. I lodged a complaint and received a reply a few weeks later that was very apologetic and said they looked at the video, saw what happened (just as I'd said) and have disciplined the driver but they can't disclose any info due to their internal disciplinary procedures, etc. Bearing in mind that they found that their driver acted maliciously, how should I start a claim for compensation? I'm not expecting a massive payout but a token of goodwill would suffice as their driver behaved badly. I was going to reply to the email I received and ask who I should write to to claim compensation but I thought I'd see if anyone on here could help first.
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