Fake name and address. Fair immediately paid. What to do?

[JMarston]

Recently, I've been fare dodging to save some money on my commute, as my station has open barriers, and it's a bit of a common place practice at my work.

However, early last week I was caught on my way in by a group of inspectors. In a bit of a blind panic, I gave a fake name, DOB and fake address (neighbour to which I'm comfortable for asking post with fake name). I wasn't recorded and simply issued a Penalty Fare Notice/Receipt with a barcode and fine.

I paid it off immediately via the barcode. Upon transaction, it said, 'xxx has now been fully paid and has been closed.'

However, I am worried about any future consequences to me giving fake details. This is compounded by the fact that I have a history of dodging on this commute (purchasing incorrect tickets to get out of barriers at the other end), despite not being caught, I fear that this may be investigated, and a link will be found between the name used on my card (used to pay off the fine) and improper use of trainline tickets.

This was stupid of me and this entire incident has me terrified, and I want to amend this. How do I best rectify this?

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

If you've paid a Penalty Fare then that is the end of the matter in respect of that incident. It is possible that the train company might try and research your online ticket purchasing history and contact you about it if this indicates widespread irregularity.

Giving false details is a more serious issue than fare evasion. The train company might write to you via the false details you gave so my advice would be to make arrangments to access post sent to that address if you are able to. If they do contact you then I would 'fess up' to the false details you gave in your reply.

Going forwards do make sure you have a valid ticket before staring train journeys. Many people don't realise that rail fare evasion is a criminal offence. It is not like a parking ticket. Tell your colleagues this as well.

 

[Mogz]

“This was stupid of me and this entire incident has me terrified and I want to amend this.”

That’s the deterrent effect!

 

[JMarston]

Hi Hadders,

I now realise the severity of this and will not be doing so again and I've passed warning onto colleagues too. Many thanks.

 

[Hadders]

Hi Hadders,

Thank you for your response, it is much appreciated. I am curious as to why I would be contacted by the fake address if the concern was fare evasion as that has been done in my name, the one on my card?

I now realise the severity of this and will not be doing so again and I've passed warning onto colleagues too. Many thanks.

I really need to know more about the tickets you were using when you were caught, and if this was a ticket with a barcode whether it was scanned by the inspector.

If you've paid a Penalty Fare then this is the end of the matter in respect of that journey but the train company could research your online ticket purchasing history using the details they obtained if a barcode ticket was scanned. If this shows irregularities then they could contavt you either through the fake details you gave or through the online account details.

 

[JMarston]

Thanks, I wasn't asked to show a ticket and was just given the Penalty Fare Notice/Receipt.

 

[furlong]

Are you sure? A Penalty Fare cannot be issued if you were not asked to produce a valid travel ticket.

 

[JMarston]

Are you sure? A Penalty Fare cannot be issued if you were not asked to produce a valid travel ticket.

I produced a contactless card but it was neither looked at or checked

 

[Joe Paxton]

Are you sure? A Penalty Fare cannot be issued if you were not asked to produce a valid travel ticket.

Do some RPIs not just issue PFs anyway in these situations, even though strictly speaking it's not the correct course of action.

I produced a contactless card but it was neither looked at or checked

Do you mean you pretended that you thought you could pay by contactless 'London style' by directly tapping in and out even though that wasn't available for the journey you made?

Or do you just mean you produced a contactless card so you could offer to pay your fare?

 

[Haywain]

I produced a contactless card but it was neither looked at or checked

Was that at the line of staff saying something like, "tickets please"?

 

[JMarston]

In a panic I offered it up

Was that at the line of staff saying something like, "tickets please"?

Yeah pretty much