.

[juanfederer]

I’ll try to be quick explaining the situation. I’m a Mexican tourist in London, a found an oyster bus operator nominee card ( now I now this) I used it for some time without knowing that I was a special card, TFL staff stopped a week ago and asked me many questions about the card

I am not from the U.K. so I can’t tell the difference between Oyster cards and stuff

Where did I find it and many other things …

Now they have sent a letter to my adress asking me to tell them if I am guilty or not guilty, I do not know what to do.

Any help would be amazing!

I don’t want to get into any further trouble, this is not my hometown country and so it’ll be bad for me getting in trouble here

Can I take this out of court?

What usually happens in this situations?

Can I offer them to pay a fine?

Any information would be great to hear!

Thanks a lot

 

[357]

How long will you be in the UK for?

I think given the amount of time it would take to get to court, if you do not plan to live/stay for a long time, you could ignore it and head home without worry. I can't see them sending a helicopter to Mexico to arrest you and bring you back!

How long were you using it for?
Did you know it was a "magic free ticket"?
Do you know the true owner? I can assure you that they will now be in trouble at work for not having it blocked when it was lost.

TfL (and possibly British Transport Police) will almost certainly want this to go to court and not be settled.

 

[AlterEgo]

I’ll try to be quick explaining the situation. I’m a Mexican tourist in London, a found an oyster bus operator nominee card ( now I now this) I used it for some time without knowing that I was a special card, TFL staff stopped a week ago and asked me many questions about the card

I am not from the U.K. so I can’t tell the difference between Oyster cards and stuff

I think your English is good enough to know that a staff nominee pass is not your normal Oyster card. This, coupled with the fact it was a magic, unlimited source of free travel means it is not reasonable to ask anyone, not least a magistrate, to consider your proposed defence with any seriousness.

In any case, simply picking up the card - whether it is a regular Oyster or a staff pass - and taking it with you and not handing it in constitutes theft by finding.

Where did I find it and many other things …

Now they have sent a letter to my adress asking me to tell them if I am guilty or not guilty, I do not know what to do.

Could you please upload a copy of the letter with any personal details removed? This will help us know exactly what is being asked. Is it a summons, or are they merely asking you to explain yourself at this stage?

Any help would be amazing!

I don’t want to get into any further trouble, this is not my hometown country and so it’ll be bad for me getting in trouble here

Can I take this out of court?

TfL are beset by fraudulent and ticketless travel, have a financial black hole after covid, and have a political imperative to prosecute as many people as possible. Therefore settling outside of court, while possible, carries slim chances. TfL take an especially dim view of the theft and misuse of staff travel passes.

 

[railwaytrack]

I’ll try to be quick explaining the situation. I’m a Mexican tourist in London, a found an oyster bus operator nominee card ( now I now this) I used it for some time without knowing that I was a special card, TFL staff stopped a week ago and asked me many questions about the card

I am not from the U.K. so I can’t tell the difference between Oyster cards and stuff

Where did I find it and many other things …

Now they have sent a letter to my adress asking me to tell them if I am guilty or not guilty, I do not know what to do.

Any help would be amazing!

I don’t want to get into any further trouble, this is not my hometown country and so it’ll be bad for me getting in trouble here

Can I take this out of court?

What usually happens in this situations?

Can I offer them to pay a fine?

Any information would be great to hear!

Thanks a lot

So was the letter sent to your address in Mexico or was it sent to an address in the UK? Also are you in Mexico currently or are you still in the UK?

There is zero chance of anything happening if you do not come back to the UK again and remain in Mexico. So if you do not plan to return to the UK in the future then you can just ignore it and nothing will happen. There is zero chance of an international arrest warrant being issued for a fare evasion case like this. However if you do plan on returning to the UK again in the future than it could possibly cause problems so you might want to try and resolve it if you do plan on returning to the UK again.

I am sure others can advise better on what your options are if you wish to resolve it. I know train companies will sometimes offer out of court settlements or you could appeal it but it is not my area of expertise.

 

[juanfederer]

How long will you be in the UK for?

I think given the amount of time it would take to get to court, if you do not plan to live/stay for a long time, you could ignore it and head home without worry. I can't see them sending a helicopter to Mexico to arrest you and bring you back!

How long were you using it for?
Did you know it was a "magic free ticket"?
Do you know the true owner? I can assure you that they will now be in trouble at work for not having it blocked when it was lost.

TfL (and possibly British Transport Police) will almost certainly want this to go to court and not be settled.

I am not sure for how long I’ll stay here still, the thing is. I don’t want any travel here or anywhere in the world, I don’t want to feel like I’m running away of the country because of this

I really can’t remember exactly for how many time I used it, a few weeks a think

I’ve to say, I tried it saw it open the gates and kept on using it, never thought there was something bad going on.

I don’t know know the owner at all, I was looking after a dog at a park when I found the card on the grass very rusty and wet

They sent the letter to a U.K. adress which is the one I gave them because it is the one I’m staying at at the moment

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Apr 2022 ==

I think your English is good enough to know that a staff nominee pass is not your normal Oyster card. This, coupled with the fact it was a magic, unlimited source of free travel means it is not reasonable to ask anyone, not least a magistrate, to consider your proposed defence with any seriousness.

In any case, simply picking up the card - whether it is a regular Oyster or a staff pass - and taking it with you and not handing it in constitutes theft by finding.

Could you please upload a copy of the letter with any personal details removed? This will help us know exactly what is being asked. Is it a summons, or are they merely asking you to explain yourself at this stage?

TfL are beset by fraudulent and ticketless travel, have a financial black hole after covid, and have a political imperative to prosecute as many people as possible. Therefore settling outside of court, while possible, carries slim chances. TfL take an especially dim view of the theft and misuse of staff travel passes.

 

[Snow1964]

If you are leaving UK in next few weeks then do not worry, the case will get dropped if they know you have moved to another country, and they do not know the address.

There might be some letters issued to the London address for a while, but they will never get to you if you never give your Mexico address.

If you have only given name and UK address, but no further details like passport number, and move in UK, and do not tell anyone your new address, then it will take long time to find you if you do not have another problem

It is more difficult if you wish to stay in UK, and some details stay same, (where you work etc) because it will possibly get to court, and a very big fine issued.

There will also be problems for the person who it belonged to, but they didn’t report it. But that is not your problem.

When you have the letter, if you have choice of post or email to reply, then do NOT use email, especially if it is your long term one from Mexico. In UK giving phone numbers and email is optional, it is not compulsory

 

[juanfederer]

I am not sure for how long I’ll stay here still, the thing is. I don’t want any travel here or anywhere in the world, I don’t want to feel like I’m running away of the country because of this

I really can’t remember exactly for how many time I used it, a few weeks a think

I’ve to say, I tried it saw it open the gates and kept on using it, never thought there was something bad going on.

I don’t know know the owner at all, I was looking after a dog at a park when I found the card on the grass very rusty and wet

They sent the letter to a U.K. adress which is the one I gave them because it is the one I’m staying at at the moment

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Apr 2022 ==

I really need

So was the letter sent to your address in Mexico or was it sent to an address in the UK? Also are you in Mexico currently or are you still in the UK?

There is zero chance of anything happening if you do not come back to the UK again and remain in Mexico. So if you do not plan to return to the UK in the future then you can just ignore it and nothing will happen. There is zero chance of an international arrest warrant being issued for a fare evasion case like this. However if you do plan on returning to the UK again in the future than it could possibly cause problems so you might want to try and resolve it if you do plan on returning to the UK again.

I am sure others can advise better on what your options are if you wish to resolve it. I know train companies will sometimes offer out of court settlements or you could appeal it but it is not my area of expertise

I really don’t know what to do at this stage, in the letter attached I think they are trying to give an opportunity to explain them my side of the story.

If I have to pay any penalty date or something related to this I’ll be fine, I just don’t want this to go any further.

What you guys advice me on tell them on the letter? I have a draft already explaining them the truth and nothing else than the truth, I found it on the grass and used the card by a situation of ignorance and misunderstanding about London transport rules given that I am not from here.

Other thing is that I am 21 years old, I’m not a 57 years old who knows everything about life and the way things work, this is my first time abroad and so I’m learning still how the world actually works.

If there is any chance I can call one of you guys in order to receive help To write the letter I wouldn’t mind to pay you for helping me!

I just want to get out of this situation.

Should I suggest them to just give me a formal warning and keep the things out of court or it is not the kind of thing you request tfl for?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Apr 2022 ==

I think your English is good enough to know that a staff nominee pass is not your normal Oyster card. This, coupled with the fact it was a magic, unlimited source of free travel means it is not reasonable to ask anyone, not least a magistrate, to consider your proposed defence with any seriousness.

In any case, simply picking up the card - whether it is a regular Oyster or a staff pass - and taking it with you and not handing it in constitutes theft by finding.

Could you please upload a copy of the letter with any personal details removed? This will help us know exactly what is being asked. Is it a summons, or are they merely asking you to explain yourself at this stage?

TfL are beset by fraudulent and ticketless travel, have a financial black hole after covid, and have a political imperative to prosecute as many people as possible. Therefore settling outside of court, while possible, carries slim chances. TfL take an especially dim view of the theft and misuse of staff travel passes.

I just really hope you can help on what to write in the letter, I really don’t have that much money, I have a student budget with some money I earned in my hometown, but if I’m required to ask my parents for some money to get rid of this would be fine as well.

Now I’m suffering anxiety because of this, I think I have a huge trouble that I can’t resolve, don’t know if it’s allowed in the forum but if I share my phone details with one of you could be able to call me in order to write my letter? I’d be fine to pay for this help

Thanks so much

 

[AlterEgo]

If the OP intends never to return to the UK, then they may consider simply leaving the country at this point, yes. However, the case will not be dropped, it will proceed in their absence, result in a conviction, likely a compensation order and a fine, which will not be paid, and could cause problems next time the OP enters the UK. It’s very likely they would be detained at the border if they returned.

This problem won’t follow the OP to Mexico, but it will remain a problem here.

 

[Wethebest838]

If the OP intends never to return to the UK, then they may consider simply leaving the country at this point, yes. However, the case will not be dropped, it will proceed in their absence, result in a conviction, likely a compensation order and a fine, which will not be paid, and could cause problems next time the OP enters the UK. It’s very likely they would be detained at the border if they returned.

This problem won’t follow the OP to Mexico, but it will remain a problem here.

I was going to say the exact same. Regardless, you can just ‘ignore it’ but re-entry to the country will cause issues. Can they not arrest people who have not paid fines and so forth?

 

[zwk500]

I just want to get out of this situation.

Should I suggest them to just give me a formal warning and keep the things out of court or it is not the kind of thing you request tfl for?

I would not suggest telling TfL how to deal with you, it is unlikely to help the situation.

I just really hope you can help on what to write in the letter, I really don’t have that much money, I have a student budget with some money I earned in my hometown, but if I’m required to ask my parents for some money to get rid of this would be fine as well.

Now I’m suffering anxiety because of this, I think I have a huge trouble that I can’t resolve, don’t know if it’s allowed in the forum but if I share my phone details with one of you could be able to call me in order to write my letter? I’d be fine to pay for this help

Thanks so much

There is a standard piece of advice @Hadders writes for these letters, although this may be seen as a more serious case than most we get on this forum:

Here's the advice I normally give to people who come here seeking our advice in circumstances similar to yours.

You are likely to receive a letter from the train company, or an investigation company acting on their behalf, stating that have received a report, are considering prosecuting you and asking for your version of events. It is important that you engage with and reply to this letter. The letter will normally take a few weeks to arrive but can take up to six months. You might want to include the following in your reply:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

Make sure your reply is short and concise, don't give a sob story - they've heard it all before. Most train companies are usually prepared to offer an administrative settlement (commonly known as an out of court settlement) for people who engage with the process and who haven't come to their attention before. There is no guarantee of this and the train company would be well within their rights to prosecute you in the magistrates court.

If you are offered a settlement the amount varies depending on the train company and circumstances but tend to be a few hundred pounds plus the outstanding fare. An out of court settlement might appear to be a fine, but it isn't and you won't have a criminal record as a result of accepting one.

 

[juanfederer]

So was the letter sent to your address in Mexico or was it sent to an address in the UK? Also are you in Mexico currently or are you still in the UK?

There is zero chance of anything happening if you do not come back to the UK again and remain in Mexico. So if you do not plan to return to the UK in the future then you can just ignore it and nothing will happen. There is zero chance of an international arrest warrant being issued for a fare evasion case like this. However if you do plan on returning to the UK again in the future than it could possibly cause problems so you might want to try and resolve it if you do plan on returning to the UK again.

I am sure others can advise better on what your options are if you wish to resolve it. I know train companies will sometimes offer out of court settlements or you could appeal it but it is not my area of expertise.

Hi! I’m in the U.K. at the moment, the thing is that I might try to apply for a visa in order to stay in the U.K. I don’t what’s next in my life, whether change my visa status and remain in the U.K. or move back to mexico or another place

I mean, I don’t want to feel like “ im running away from the country because of this “

The letter was sent to an U.K. adress, when you say it may cause me problems what does this mean?

Like they’ll fine me or something worst?

Thanks in advance!

 

[WesternLancer]

If the OP intends never to return to the UK, then they may consider simply leaving the country at this point, yes. However, the case will not be dropped, it will proceed in their absence, result in a conviction, likely a compensation order and a fine, which will not be paid, and could cause problems next time the OP enters the UK. It’s very likely they would be detained at the border if they returned.

This problem won’t follow the OP to Mexico, but it will remain a problem here.

I agree with this.

If @juanfederer wants to 'do the right thing' to sort this out (and reduce their chances of problems with travel to the UK in the future) then my advice is to engage with TfL about this in a way that actually helps TfL sort it out.

So TfL will know they are not going to get anywhere in terms of pursuing the OP in Mexico, so they might conclude that trying to do this is a waste of their time (and potentially the court's time) - so they may be more amendable than they would normally be to settling the matter by getting a payment from the OP.

This can't be the first time that TfL will have had to deal with the case of ticket abuse from a tourist after all - so they will have an agreed internal approach on what to do in such cases.

So it may be that the OP could / should:

Write to TfL and say:
- explain they are not a UK citizen, are a tourist, and are soon intending to return to their home overseas soon. They have no plans to travel to the UK again in the foreseeable future and have no permanent address in the UK.
- apologise for what they have done
- offer to make a payment to TfL to cover the costs of inappropriate use of the Oyster Card concerned and the costs of investigating the case.
- give them your permanent address in Mexico / and e-mail address for all future correspondence

Make it a short letter - stick to the facts.

TfL may thus decide not to take court action, demand a sum which the OP can pay quickly and the matter is resolved. The worst that can happen is that TfL say 'no' and the case is taken to court, the OP gets a court fine etc in their absence. The only way to then resolve that is either
a) ignore it as others have suggested and hope it has no future consequences eg with travel to UK in future or
b) make the payment of the court fine when it happens - could be some time into the future - from Mexico

In general make sure there is some way that any post that goes to the short term address in the UK reaches you in Mexico.

These are the only options that I can see if the OP wishes 'to do the right thing' and co-operate, and avoid the chances of along term problem with visiting the UK in future.

I’m in the U.K. at the moment, the thing is that I might try to apply for a visa in order to stay in the U.K. I don’t what’s next in my life, whether change my visa status and remain in the U.K. or move back to mexico or another place

Then in my view you need to engage with TfL as per my advice above, and if that does not work use my advice (b) above. This is not an immigration advice forum but it seems to me that the UK Home Office is always happy to find reasons not to give people visas to stay in the UK (unless perhaps you are extremely wealthy) so I doubt that a court conviction with an unpaid court fine would help any application for a visa to the UK to be granted more easily.

when you say it may cause me problems what does this mean?

It could mean things like:
- applications for visas to visit as a tourist or to say and work potentially being reduced (IIRC the UK does not give routinely reaossn for visa refusals so you may not know why your visa has been refused)
- if you arrive at UK border control at an airport etc your name comes up on a list of people with criminal records and or unpaid court fines (a rail ticket offence is usually/ often a criminal matter in England) and they refuse you entry and you are required to get on the next plane home.

 

[skyhigh]

Hi! I’m in the U.K. at the moment, the thing is that I might try to apply for a visa in order to stay in the U.K. I don’t what’s next in my life, whether change my visa status and remain in the U.K. or move back to mexico or another place

In which case, I think it's a little misleading to suggest that you're just a tourist in the UK. If you're planning to stay any length of time, it will catch up with you.

 

[357]

Having become involved in a similar case on this forum before, where it turned out all was not as described by the poster, maybe this is clouding my judgement but I have to say I think there is more to this story.

You said you're a tourist but now you talk about being a student, not knowing if or when you'll return home, or if you'll change your visa status etc.

Sorry, but I'm going to tap out on this one and not get further involved.

 

[AlterEgo]

Hi! I’m in the U.K. at the moment, the thing is that I might try to apply for a visa in order to stay in the U.K. I don’t what’s next in my life, whether change my visa status and remain in the U.K. or move back to mexico or another place

I mean, I don’t want to feel like “ im running away from the country because of this “

The letter was sent to an U.K. adress, when you say it may cause me problems what does this mean?

Like they’ll fine me or something worst?

Thanks in advance!

The problem is that you will, almost certainly, be convicted of a criminal offence in the magistrates court. TfL do not habitually settle out of court and, as explained, have several political imperatives to take people who evade fares to court.

In summary, you:

- found a staff nominee pass and did not hand it in. This alone constitutes and offence: theft by finding. Even if you did not use the pass.
- you used the pass “for some time”
- you invite us to accept, in very good English, that you have no idea until just now that the pass which says “nominee pass” on the front was a nominee pass, despite you using it for some time and never ever having to actually pay any money to use transport. Please!

This is as clear a case of fare evasion as there can be. What makes things worse is that you are a guest in this country. When you visit other countries you should be doubly sure not to break the law. In your case, the wrongdoing would be obvious to any reasonable person.

It remains to be seen which offence you will be prosecuted for. TfL often like simply bylaw offences, meaning they’ll convict you for a single event of not having a ticket, rather than trying to prove intent under more complex criminal law. Once this becomes clear we can advise you further.

 

[357]

I will add for the benefit of other users that when I worked for TfL and discovered someone using their relatives freedom pass, they didn't go for the simple fare evasion but got BTP involved and the lady was arrested and convicted for "fraud by false representation".

 

[WesternLancer]

I will add for the benefit of other users that when I worked for TfL and discovered someone using their relatives freedom pass, they didn't go for the simple fare evasion but got BTP involved and the lady was arrested and convicted for "fraud by false representation".

Useful comment - but this is a bit different - OP says / claims he used a staff pass he found on the ground in a park.

Also ref your other point - OP is not saying they are a student - but says they 'are on a student budget' - so I take that to mean a young traveler, maybe not long since being a student, does not have lots of money. So still may consider being a tourist in UK on a tourist Visa (not for example a student in UK on a student visa).


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Apr 2022 ==

I just really hope you can help on what to write in the letter, I really don’t have that much money, I have a student budget with some money I earned in my hometown, but if I’m required to ask my parents for some money to get rid of this would be fine as well.

Thanks so much

If you want to do the right thing and follow my advice this is the content of the letter you should write - your English seems good enough to me to compose that, but if you draft up your 1st draft and post it here it can be checked and edited (as per my post above):

So it may be that the OP could / should:

Write to TfL and say:
- explain they are not a UK citizen, are a tourist, and are soon intending to return to their home overseas soon. They have no firm plans to travel to the UK again in the foreseeable future and have no permanent address in the UK.
- apologise for what they have done
- offer to make a payment to TfL to cover the costs of inappropriate use of the Oyster Card concerned and the costs of investigating the case (assure them that you will make payment from Mexico if necessary).
- give them your permanent address in Mexico / and e-mail address for all future correspondence

Make it a short letter - stick to the facts, quote the relevant reference numbers.
Make it clear that you are 'presently staying at temporary address X in London' and give 'permanent address in Mexico'

 

[juanfederer]

Having become involved in a similar case on this forum before, where it turned out all was not as described by the poster, maybe this is clouding my judgement but I have to say I think there is more to this story.

You said you're a tourist but now you talk about being a student, not knowing if or when you'll return home, or if you'll change your visa status etc.

Sorry, but I'm going to tap out on this one and not get further involved.

Hi! I am student in Mexico, said this as describing my life status, I’m not working at the moment, I’m a Mexican student visiting the U.K. ( not studying in the U.K. )

Everything I’ve said is the truth, I don’t find the point on lying to people how’s trying to help me.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Apr 2022 ==

Useful comment - but this is a bit different - OP says / claims he used a staff pass he found on the ground in a park.

Also ref your other point - OP is not saying they are a student - but says they 'are on a student budget' - so I take that to mean a young traveler, maybe not long since being a student, does not have lots of money. So still may consider being a tourist in UK on a tourist Visa (not for example a student in UK on a student visa).


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Apr 2022 ==


If you want to do the right thing and follow my advice this is the content of the letter you should write - your English seems good enough to me to compose that, but if you draft up your 1st draft and post it here it can be checked and edited (as per my post above):

So it may be that the OP could / should:

Write to TfL and say:
- explain they are not a UK citizen, are a tourist, and are soon intending to return to their home overseas soon. They have no firm plans to travel to the UK again in the foreseeable future and have no permanent address in the UK.
- apologise for what they have done
- offer to make a payment to TfL to cover the costs of inappropriate use of the Oyster Card concerned and the costs of investigating the case (assure them that you will make payment from Mexico if necessary).
- give them your permanent address in Mexico / and e-mail address for all future correspondence

Make it a short letter - stick to the facts, quote the relevant reference numbers.
Make it clear that you are 'presently staying at temporary address X in London' and give 'permanent address in Mexico'

Hope you guys can help me underneath to set up a good letter, all suggestions are more than welcome

 

[zwk500]

Hi! I am student in Mexico, said this as describing my life status, I’m now working at the moment, I’m a Mexican student travelling in the U.K. ( not studying in the U.K. )

Are you *now* working or *not* working? This is potentially an important distinction.

Everything I’ve said is the truth, I don’t find the point on lying to people how’s trying to help me.

There are major potential holes in your story, and establishing what you were aware of and what actually happened is vitally important for helpful advice to be given. @AlterEgo in post #16 has summed up the problems you face very well.
In addition to post #16, you don't appear to have said
1. If you paid for travel prior to finding the nominee pass
2. If you attempted to offer payment while using the nominee pass
3. If you made any attempt to establish the validity of using the nominee pass

You may not wish to answer these questions on an open forum, as it is also visible to somebody who works for TfL or their agents. But consider carefully how your answers to these questions will appear to a) TfL and b) a Court.

 

[WesternLancer]

I am suggesting some amends to your draft letter as below, my insertions are not highlighted so you will have to compare for yourself and see if you wish to use them
Also is the address you have whilst staying in UK one where if any replies on paper get sent there after you have left someone can send them on to you or open the letters and e-mail you a scan of the contents? If not I would recommend you set up an 'International Postal Forwarding' - see the UK Royal Mail website for info on that.

---------------------

TfL Reference Number: [INSERT REF NUMBER]

Hello, good afternoon!

Dear Sir/Madam

First of all I would like to apologise if my English writing skills are bad, English is not my first language.

Also I would like to deeply apologise for any inconvenience this is causing you

I am not from this Country, as shown in my ID. I’m from a small town in Morelos ( México) who’s just visiting the U.K as a tourist. I want to make this clear in order to state that my knowledge about how things work in London is reduced to what a tourist in the country could know.

I admit that I have been using the card to travel on, and I now understand I should not have done that.

I found the card on the grass on [Insert date] one day while I was looking after a dog in a park in Kingsbury.

I really had no idea what kind of card it was, and it was an error of judgment on my part to use it. I never meant to take advantage of this.

Now I am very ashamed because this is a situation I don’t feel okay about, if you accept my sincere apologies please do let me tell you I am truly sorry.

it is the first time something like this has happened in my life.

I would like to offer to make a full payment in respect of any fares owed and any costs associated with you investigating this that ere is any kind of compensation or fine I can pay in order to settle this. I would be happy to do this promptly.

I’m begging you with my heart that this will not go any further given that it is a completely honest, circumstantial and ignorant misunderstanding about something I had absolutely no idea about at all given my condition of visitor of this Country.

Please could you also note that I intend to leave the UK to return to Mexico in the forseeable future [INSERT DATE OF DEPARTURE FROM UK IF KNOWN]. The address I gave in London is only temporary and I have no permanent UK address.
My permanent postal address in Mexico is: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
and I can also be contacted by e-mail on: [INSERT]
and my telephone number is: [INSERT]

Yours faithfully

Your name

-------------------------
My advice on the response is based on the following thinking
- the comments from others that TfL are not in reality going to pursue the OP overseas
- the OP has been honest, did find the pass (there is no collusion from the pass owner who is a member of TfL staff)
- the OP wants to do the right thing
- the OP wants to make sure that this will not cause them any problems in future if they wish to apply to stay in the UK or visit again, which might be a problem if they have a court conviction against their name - even one made in their absence if they have left the UK by the time of the court date
- it makes more sense (to me at least) for TfL to take a payment from the OP to sort this out now, than incur costs and time to take the OP to court when the prospects of TfL or the court obtaining the money from Mexico in future is slim
- but I am sure that TfL will have a pretty standard procedure for dealing with overseas addresses from visitors who commit ticket errors and travel without valid tickets, so that may kick in and it could be that other forum members know better how suich cases are typically handled.

 

[AlterEgo]

So we are really going down the route of claiming it was an innocent mistake, using the staff nominee pass with its magic unlimited travel facility. I’m out. Good luck.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

So we are really going down the route of claiming it was an innocent mistake, using the staff nominee pass with its magic unlimited travel facility.

Think even Hans Christian Andersen would have struggled with that claim. Any argument that the OP "wanted to do the right thing" surely disappeared immediately after the staff pass hadn't been handed in and was first mis-used.

 

[Horizon22]

So we are really going down the route of claiming it was an innocent mistake, using the staff nominee pass with its magic unlimited travel facility. I’m out. Good luck.

Yes I personally find it very odd that it was "just found in the park" a fully functioning, significantly discounted staff Oyster pass... We've had a few stories like this before and eventually it unravels. We of course take everything at face value as per what the OP has said, I just find it...unlikely.

Not just bad for the OP, but the owner of the staff pass could also find themselves in major trouble.

 

[gray1404]

What sort of visa are you currently in the United Kingdom on? Is it a tourist visa? If you are here as a tourist what date are you leaving the United Kingdom on?

 

[Yankee01]

So we are really going down the route of claiming it was an innocent mistake, using the staff nominee pass with its magic unlimited travel facility. I’m out. Good luck.

Best I can phrase this is an extraordinarily lack of judgement. This isn't like finding a tenner blowing down the street in amongst rubbish.

Though, overall, a conviction that would result in a criminal record will keep the OP out of the UK for 12 months, and could be used as a discretionary reason for refusal after that.

Visitor, or a person seeking entry on arrival in the UK for a stay for less than 6 months, must be refused where the applicant: (b) has been convicted of a criminal offence in the UK or overseas for which they have received a non-custodial sentence, or received an out-of-court disposal that is recorded on their criminal record, unless more than 12 months have passed since the end of the custodial sentence

 

[Doctor Fegg]

you invite us to accept, in very good English, that you have no idea until just now that the pass which says “nominee pass” on the front was a nominee pass

I have a degree in the history of the English language, edited a news-stand magazine for seven years, and have probably a six-figure number of published words to my name... and I couldn't tell you what "nominee pass" means. It's not exactly plain English.

 

[Snow1964]

Just had a thought, if the Op goes overseas and doesn’t pay, can the usage liability (fares used) be recovered from the person who chose not to get it blocked when they lost it. If so then effectively TfL have a choice of 2 people to recover the fares from.

I don’t know what liability a person accepting a nominee ticket agrees to, but doesn’t seem right if they get away with no responsibility for jointly making up any shortfall, especially if not reporting its loss was a breach of conditions of having it.

 

[Horizon22]

I have a degree in the history of the English language, edited a news-stand magazine for seven years, and have probably a six-figure number of published words to my name... and I couldn't tell you what "nominee pass" means. It's not exactly plain English.

Even so it is an odd turn of events from "looking after a dog at a park when I found the card on the grass very rusty and wet". That in itself is very strange. Then noticing it wasn't charging any sort of fare and it also looks slightly different.

 

[Doctor Fegg]

Even so it is an odd turn of events from "looking after a dog at a park when I found the card on the grass very rusty and wet". That in itself is very strange. Then noticing it wasn't charging any sort of fare and it also looks slightly different.

Absolutely, I wouldn't argue with that.

 

[AlterEgo]

I have a degree in the history of the English language, edited a news-stand magazine for seven years, and have probably a six-figure number of published words to my name... and I couldn't tell you what "nominee pass" means. It's not exactly plain English.

Yes, it was a magic, special coloured Oyster card which inexplicably required no money at all to top up (!!) and provided unlimited free travel "for some time". What a terrific find. Getting caught the first time you use it? Okay, maybe unlucky. But after "some time", and repeated use where it would become obvious this card was magically free to use? Not a believable defence whatsoever. Even stealing someone's regular Oyster card and using the credit on it until it runs out is an offence.

We can't help people if they insist on using defences which don't pass the smell test. Anyone reading the letter the OP suggests is just going to roll their eyes and pass it into the prosecutions file.

TfL mostly plump for bylaw offences for ease of process and almost never settle out of court without expensive legal assistance. I really beg the OP not to deny the obvious and cause the prosecutors to dwell on the facts - that he stole the pass, used it, had good cause to know he shouldn't be using it, and evaded fares, - and tempt them into convicting him of a recordable offence as opposed to a non-recordable one. I would not even be mentioning the pass at all. Simply state "I was caught without a valid ticket for which I apologise" or along those lines.