Revenue protection support services

[punkpiper]

Last month I had my stag do in Edinburgh. I had purchased 8 sets of tickets for myself and friends to get a train from Doncaster to Sheffield. However when the ticket officer came I couldn't find my validating ticket. She got impatient with me and said she would have to issue me a UFN, she told me if I found my ticket I just had to send it to the address on the UFN and they would most likely waive the fee. Once I got into Edinburgh I found the ticket and took it to the customer services office. However they refused to help and said it's to do with East Coast trains only. Anyway I sent the ticket off with the UFN to the RPSS and have just received a letter back telling me my appeal is unsuccessful. I am absolutely devastated at their response and cannot believe they can be so ruthless after I sent them full proof that I had paid for my fare. They now have my full valid tickets and all I have is a receipt for all the tickets that I bought off Trainline. It's thanks to me that they earnt over £400 that day from everyone that I took up to Edinburgh with me. I can't even find a phone number to contact the RPSS to argue my case. They're demanding payment now and if I start writing back refusing to pay and trying to appeal they'll just hammer me with more fees. Any advice would be most appreciated.

Edited March 29, 2011 by punkpiper

[BSC]

I cant offer any advice but you should remove all personal details from the letter you have posted.

[SRPO]

I dont know anything about UFNs, however as they relate to an 'Unpaid Fare' & you have provided proof that the fare has been paid I cant see what their issue is.

I hope you only sent off copies of the tickets, if not ask RPSS to return them to you for use by you in any legal proceedings they may dare to commence, remind them that you had paid the fare, that you had offered to rail staff your proof of purchase/validity at Edinburgh & can only imagine the dismay of any court that the matter is put before.

However, if the circumstances are not exactly as you describe I suggest you do 1 of 2 things:

Clarify or pay.

[Flyingchunk]

Don't pay. These guys tried to take me to court for £2.80.

 

If you have the proof of purchase, let them take it further if they want.

 

These guys make it especially awkward to get in contact, and when you do, they refuse your appeal even when you have all the tickets/ proof etc.

 

They're just out to fleece the public.

 

The letters are just stock stuff, and they rely on frightening 9/10 people into paying up.

 

Easy money, at the cost of other people's worry and bank balance.

 

I just ignored the letters in the end, after sending them a final letter TELLING them to take me to court!

 

****!

[Old-CodJA]

However, if the circumstances are not exactly as you describe I suggest you do 1 of 2 things:

Clarify or pay.

 

It would be good to hear what the outcome of this was

 

If you have the proof of payment, then let them take you to court.

 

The costs will outweigh the ticket price and I'll bet they drop it.

 

You've sent the proof. They have your money. What judge would rule against?

 

 

It would be interesting to know what the OP says happened in this case. Playing 'devil's advocate' a bit here, but it isn't always as straightforward as having something that suggests a payment was made.

 

The important thing with rail tickets is that it is the the legal requirement is for the traveller to show the actual ticket. Proof of payment is not accepted valid for travel and that is to stop one traveller buying a ticket and giving it to his mate then saying, 'Look, I mislaid my ticket, but here is the proof I paid'. The courts understand that and the TOC have 6 months from the time of any allegation to take any case forward provided they have evidence of an offence. Sometimes, a case will not end up with prosecution simply because the authorised person failed to record some little piece of detail on the notice, or because another link in the evidential chain is not clear.

 

If you have sent clear proof of payment of the fare to the company though, in my experience they will normally consider it and write back telling you exactly why they have rejected it if they do so.

[RPI]

Don't pay. These guys tried to take me to court for £2.80.

 

If you have the proof of purchase, let them take it further if they want.

 

These guys make it especially awkward to get in contact, and when you do, they refuse your appeal even when you have all the tickets/ proof etc.

 

They're just out to fleece the public.

 

The letters are just stock stuff, and they rely on frightening 9/10 people into paying up.

 

Easy money, at the cost of other people's worry and bank balance.

 

I just ignored the letters in the end, after sending them a final letter TELLING them to take me to court!

 

****!

and how long ago did you send them this letter?

[honeybee13]

Flying chunk, are you sure you're not confusing rail companies with private parking ones or RLP?

 

My best, HB