Received a letter from IAP for using my friend's student card

[Mycase24]

Hello all,
I have received a letter from IAP asking me to fill in my information and accept or deny it. I have been caught using my friend's student card. I did not know that it was criminal to use because I charged it myself because my friend did not need to use it.
In response to the letter, I wrote that I accepted the offence and was willing to pay the penalty, but I didn't know that it was a series and I would be prosecuted. I want now to reply to the email and mention that it was a mistake and my friend was aware of me using the card. Could you please help me how to formulate my email?

With thanks

 

[AlterEgo]

Hello all,
I have received a letter from IAP asking me to fill in my information and accept or deny it. I have been caught using my friend's student card. I did not know that it was criminal to use because I charged it myself because my friend did not need to use it.
In response to the letter, I wrote that I accepted the offence and was willing to pay the penalty, but I didn't know that it was a series and I would be prosecuted. I want now to reply to the email and mention that it was a mistake and my friend was aware of me using the card. Could you please help me how to formulate my email?

With thanks

I'm not sure I understand what's happened here.

Which train company were you stopped by?
What type of railcard were you using? (eg: 16-25, Disabled, Senior)
What do you mean by "charged it myself"? You mean you bought it for your friend?
Did your friend ever use the railcard?
Why do you think telling them your friend was aware of your offending would help?

 

[greatkingrat]

It sounds like they are referring to an Oyster card with a discount attached.

 

[Mycase24]

Thank you for your response.
it is tfl.
It isn't the railcard that I am talking about. It is a student photocard.
I mean I paid for the monthly plan.
my friend used it before but when gave it to me no.
I don't know really but I think because I had a stupid idea in my mind that as I am paying for a card it is valid to use.

 

[Lewisham2221]

Thank you for your response.
it is tfl.
It isn't the railcard that I am talking about. It is a student photocard.
I mean I paid for the monthly plan.
my friend used it before but when gave it to me no.
I don't know really but I think because I had a stupid idea in my mind that as I am paying for a card it is valid to use.

Who paid for it is irrelevant. If it has your friends name and photo on it, only your friend can use it. Neither TfL nor a court are likely to accept that you did not understand that. As a result, neither are likely to accept that this was just a mistake. TfL take a very dim view of this sort of thing and almost always look to prosecute.

 

[AlterEgo]

Thank you for your response.
it is tfl.
It isn't the railcard that I am talking about. It is a student photocard.
I mean I paid for the monthly plan.
my friend used it before but when gave it to me no.
I don't know really but I think because I had a stupid idea in my mind that as I am paying for a card it is valid to use.

TfL will likely prosecute you under the their Bylaws for this offence. It's a clear case of fare evasion; no, of course you cannot use someone else's student photocard with their name and face on it. Why else would their name and face be on it if just anyone could use it?

What is the latest email you have received? Can you post the contents here please, so we can see what stage you are at?

 

[Mycase24]

Now it is absolutely clear to me that it is wrong to use someone else card but it was not clear before as I thought that my friend was not using it so I am paying the fare with a valid card.

The latest email is a Verification Letter that I received and responded to saying yes I accept and am willing to pay the penalty fare. I am not sure if it is possible to avoid court. I kind of feel hopeless but I appreciate any help you can provide.

-Thanks

 

[AlterEgo]

Now it is absolutely clear to me that it is wrong to use someone else card but it was not clear before as I thought that my friend was not using it so I am paying the fare with a valid card.

The latest email is a Verification Letter that I received and responded to saying yes I accept and am willing to pay the penalty fare. I am not sure if it is possible to avoid court. I kind of feel hopeless but I appreciate any help you can provide.

-Thanks

It’s very unlikely you will be able to avoid court. It’s abundantly clear that you can’t use someone else’s card with their name and photo on it. I’m sure I’ll regret asking this, but why do you think those passes have someone’s name and photo on them?

 

[30907]

Now it is absolutely clear to me that it is wrong to use someone else card but it was not clear before as I thought that my friend was not using it so I am paying the fare with a valid card.

Just checking: are you entitled to the discount the card offers?

According to TFL you have to

Be 18 or over
Live in a London borough during term time
Enrolled at a school, college or university registered on the TfL scheme or on a mandatory work placement in London

 

[Haywain]

Just checking: are you entitled to the discount the card offers?

If the OP has not been issued a card of their own they are not entitled to the discount that the card offers.