Received TfL letter for using sister's travel pass

[BazzaS]

I have attached the letter from TFL below. I have folded the letter so I do not disclose my personal info.

 

Well, they seem to think you are lying about your statement in your initial letter that you had had taken your sister's pass by mistake......

If you want to continue to claim that expect them to ask you to produce YOUR pass (which you don't have) or evidence that you bought one (which again, you don't have). If you try to claim you had your own pass but have lost it, and paid in cash (so don't have a receipt) : they'd be skeptical, and who could blame them.

 

You can try to be honest and contrite, but (having been caught, and fibbed in your first letter) they may well conclude your contrition is resulting from being caught, not over the offence itself.

What did you say at interview when stopped? don't forget they'll have access to those notes, too.

 

Usual advice is to be honest as far as you can (no need to admit to additional offences unless they specifically ask, though), and hope for an administrative settlement. You haven't really given them any reasons not to prosecute you, though ......

[Skydiver2711]

I cant remember all of what was asked at the interview.

There was one question where they asked if you agree that you have used your sisters pass.

To that I replied yes.

At the end they said If I would like to say anything.

I said the same thing I said in my previous letter to them. That I had mistakenly taken the pass while rushing out of the house.

[ericsbrother]

basically you knew you didnt have a valid pass and that your out of date one was anyway elsewhere. You told a story to the TfL inspector that didnt convince and now you want us to provide you with a better version of that story.

 

That hasnt happened.

 

I bet your sister is delighted that her pass is at risk because you couldnt be bothered to buy a ticket or renew your pass for whatever reason. They have different codes for male and female, staff, student, OAP etc so knew at first glance yours was a wrong un.

 

Best stick with what you have already said as trying again other than telling them you thought you would just risk it and it didnt pay off will make them even more determined to see this through to the bitter end

Edited January 25, 2019 by honeybee13
Paras

[Skydiver2711]

You are right. I should have said from beginning that I used my sister's pass.

 

But I dont want you to give me a better version of that story. I am going to apologise to TFL for using my sisters pass in the next letter, which I should have done in the first letter.

 

Thanks for your thoughts about my case.

[dx100uk]

https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?483691-Notice-of-intention-to-prosecute-Thameslink-changed-CArNet-Ticket-date-Please-help-**SETTLED**&p=5085175#post5085175

 

like format to this one..

[Skydiver2711]

Thank you for the link dx and for helping me, I am formatting the letter now. Will post it here as soon as i am finished.

[Skydiver2711]

Dear sir/madam

I am writing this letter in response to the letter from TFL on xx January 2019.

I would like to apologise again for my actions. I am deeply ashamed by what I have done and learnt my lesson to never repeat it again. On the 12th, I was running late for work, I had little sleep the previous night due to the presentation I had to give the next day. I took my sisters pass as I knew it was valid and would not have to queue up for the ticket. I am extremely sorry for not mentioning this in my previous letter and saying that I mistakenly took my sister's pass.

 

I have done wrong and I am extremely ashamed of my behaviour. I have learnt my lesson the hard way and would never repeat it again. I now understand that using someone else’s pass is a serious criminal offence and would never think of doing it again.

 

As mentioned before, I am willing to pay any fines or fares that are due to TFL as a result of my actions. Also, any extra administration charges that cost TFL because of my case. I wish to apologise to TFL employee concerned with my case and the TFL team for the extra administration work.

 

I have recently started working in the IT sector after completing my engineering degree for 3 years. A criminal record would hinder my chances of continuing working in my career and doing what I love. As explained before the nature of my work requires me to start shift at 4:00 a.m. For this, an Airport ID is required to access the building, a criminal record might lead to this being withdrawn and I might lose my job. Therefore, I am sincerely hoping TFL would allow me to solve the matter out of court.

[Skydiver2711]

Hi dx I have written the above letter. I am not sure if it is good enough.

[honeybee13]

Hi.

 

i expect others will comment, but I have one for you. Our guru Old-Codja who isn't around at the moment suggests that you ask if they will allow you to pay fines, fares, etc rather than you're willing to.

 

HB

[Skydiver2711]

Thank you HB, I did not even know the difference. will make the change.

[Skydiver2711]

Dear sir/madam

I am writing this letter in response to the letter from TFL on xx January 2019.

I would like to apologise again for my actions. I am deeply ashamed by what I have done and learnt my lesson to never repeat it again. On the 12th, I was running late for work. I took my sisters pass as I knew it was valid and would not have to queue up for the ticket. I am extremely sorry for not mentioning this in my previous letter and saying that I mistakenly took my sister's pass.

 

I have done wrong and I am extremely ashamed of my behaviour. I have learnt my lesson the hard way and would never repeat it again. I now understand that using someone else’s pass is a serious criminal offence and would never think of doing it again.

 

Would you please allow me to pay any fines or fares that are due to TFL as a result of my actions. Also, any extra administration charges that cost TFL because of my case. I wish to apologise to TFL employee concerned with my case and the TFL team for the extra administration work.

 

I have recently started working in the IT sector after completing my engineering degree for 3 years. A criminal record would hinder my chances of continuing working in my career and doing what I love. As explained before the nature of my work requires me to start shift at 4:00 a.m. For this, an Airport ID is required to access the building, a criminal record might lead to this being withdrawn and I might lose my job. Therefore, I am sincerely hoping TFL would allow me to solve the matter out of court.[/i][/i]

[Skydiver2711]

I edited my letter and made changes that HB suggested to do. I also removed my comment about 'not getting enough sleep' as I just don't want it to sound like an excuse.

[dx100uk]

answer me this question...

remember we are anon so no need to lie ...we are here to help...

 

if you hadn't been caught how long would you have used the card for?

[Skydiver2711]

Hi dx

I usually panic if I’m about to do something wrong.

I would try to avoid it at every cost.

 

I used it that day to avoid getting late.

I would not have used the card unless there was an emergency.

 

I understand that it is not acceptable though but I would have used it again.

Given my situation now and what I had to go through, I cannot even think of doing it again.

[dx100uk]

right that's the implications you have to deal with then..and thus what they are thinking and NEEDS addressing..

 

if you hadn't been caught , the use would have continued ???

 

are you saying I would have used it again the next day..

or

do you mean if the necessity to use it again came about again in the future you would use it?

 

trying to understand if you mean for 'one-off' needs you'd have done the same again

or

you intended to use it till you cold afford to buy a ticket.

 

if you solely mean..damn I forget to get a monthly [whatever pass] I've not got time today so i'll chance it and use the pass

then I wouldnt need it for the rest of the week / month as i'd be buying a pass in my name...

 

I know this might all seem pedantic, but to an investigator that is phishing to understand your motives and thus made an error, addressing your attitude to its usage by you in the future could be the key here.

 

dx

[Skydiver2711]

The last one correctly explains my situation.

 

I thought I would use my sisters pass that day, and buy a new pass as soon as the opportunity arrives.

 

I have already said and I truly mean it that I would not be using anyone’s pass in future.

[Skydiver2711]

Thank you for the reply dx, I will edit my letter again and explain what you have mentioned and my intentions.

[dx100uk]

great stuff.

 

let me muse on this and i'll put a few ideas up for a new letter for posting monday for you..

90% yours is good but needs a focus and the correct way to say things and the correct way to reply...format wise.

 

dx

[Skydiver2711]

Thank you very much for your help dx. I will be ever grateful to you.

[dx100uk]

Dear mr xxxx [use his name from the letter they sent you on the xx jan]

 

thank you for your letter dated xx January 2019, the contents of which are dulely noted.

 

Having since sought out appropriate advise, i have come to the realisation that my own understanding upon the seriousness of using someone else's pass was somewhat flawed. Mine had expired, i viewed using my sisters' as to who would care, i'd be buying my new pass later that day, i had to get to work without the delay of buying mine enroute.

I now fully understand that using someone else’s pass is a serious criminal offence and would never think of doing it again.

 

I have recently started working my dream job in the IT sector after completing a 3yrs degree.

On the 12th, I was running late for work, I had little sleep the previous night with nerves and preparing my first presentation ever later that morning.

 

The nature of my work sees me start shift at 4:00 a.m. and an Airport ID is required to access any all areas, a criminal record will lead to this being withdrawn and would hinder my chances of continuing working in my career and doing what I love. Therefore, I am sincerely hoping you will allow me to resolve this matter out of court.

 

I apologise profusely for my actions in this case.

I pride myself on my integrity and honesty and I feel shameful for my moment of very poor judgement.

I wish to apologise to the member of staff concerned and to TFL, I am just so sorry for my actions and the inconvenience caused to all involved.

 

I am happy to make immediate payment of any unpaid fare and all the reasonable costs that my actions have caused and avoid a criminal record thereby allowing me to protect my good name.

 

I have never been in trouble with the law in the past and I am very sorry that my stupid misunderstanding has lead to this situation now.

 

Again, I can assure you that I will always ensure to hold a valid pass of my own on any future journeys.

 

I would appreciate your consideration and I sincerely hope that you can show some leniency in this matter.

[BazzaS]

Were you stopped:

1a) on entering the “gate line” at the start of your journey?

b) leaving the gate line at the end of your Journey

c) at some interim point?

 

2a) was this by a uniformed individual, or

b) plainclothes RPI?

 

3) did they recite a “caution” +/- ask you to sign their notes

 

4) what time of day was this?

 

part of me is wondering if this was a “random stop”, part of an operation in a high risk area, or a targeted / intelligence led stop .......

[dx100uk]

4am seems strange to me

but how would they know they were to pick the card up that ONE morning ?? with no previous use?

[BazzaS]

Precisely so, dx, and part of why I was asking.

Random stop vs. Targeted op on an area noted for high abuse that happened to catch the OP vs. Intel-led / specifically targeted stop, all of which could influence the OP’s chance of an admin settlement (& their approach to maximise chance of an admin settlement!)

[dx100uk]

wonder what time they got caught?

cause only the sister would know..

[BazzaS]

For

Random stop vs. Targeted op on an area noted for high abuse that happened to catch the OP vs. Intel-led / specifically targeted stop, “Only the sister would know” is only applicable for the last, and only if it really was just the one time ... !