Caught Using Siblings Zip Card

[Jigglybigglysi]

CAUGHT USING SIBLINGS OYSTER

Hi I need help !!!
Recently I was caught using my sisters 11-15 zip card ( for reference I am 18 years old)
Out of nerves I lied and decided to claim I was her and after being caught they took the zipcard and took my details and stated that they will be sending a letter to my house. I stated that my 18+ was previously blocked but I meant to say my 16-18 was blocked and I was processing ordering a new one

I am honestly willing to pay any fine on an out of court settlement … what should I do?

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

Did you give the inspector your correct details in the end? Or did you continue to claim you were your sister?

Transport for London take misuse of Freedom Passes very seriously and a prosecution under the TfL Bylaws is the usual outcome.

As for what happens next, TfL will send you a Verification Letter, normally within a couple of weeks. The letter will ask you to confirm or deny the incident and ask you to give any mitigating circumstances which you would like them to take into account when deciding how to proceed. Who this letter will be sent to depends on whose details you gave - it'll either be sent to you or to the Parent/Guardian of your sister.

TfL do not offer out of court settlements but occasionally they issue a final warning but to obtain a warning you have to clearly state your case to them. Simply syating that your own card was blocked so you used your sisters instead won't cut it, I'm afraid.

When the letterarrives, post a redacted copy of it in this thread and we can advise next steps. In the meantime it might be worth having a read of TfL's Revenue Enforcement & Prosecutions Policy, specifically section 8.

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/revenue-enforcement-and-prosecutions-policy.pdf

 

[AlterEgo]

TfL will not “fine” you or settle out of court. They will either prosecute you or issue a warning.

As noted, the first step is to respond to the Verification Letter they send.

Be warned - TfL prosecute almost everyone who abuses Freedom Passes. If they do this they will send you either:

A Single Justice Procedure Notice, which means the court will deal with a single offence on paper, or

A postal requisition if other offences are detected, and you are asked if you’d like these taken into consideration. The court will deal with the offences all at once, and you must attend.

If you plead or are otherwise found guilty, the court will penalise you as follows:

- A fine based on your income (the sentence for the offence)
- A surcharge of 40% of the value of the fine
- A contribution towards TfL's costs
- Compensation for the fares avoided

The conviction should be spent after one year but if you enter any profession not covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act you will need to disclose the conviction for all time, even if it is spent. Unlock is a charity which can help you understand this.

 

[Jigglybigglysi]

Welcome to the forum!

Did you give the inspector your correct details in the end? Or did you continue to claim you were your sister?

Transport for London take misuse of Freedom Passes very seriously and a prosecution under the TfL Bylaws is the usual outcome.

As for what happens next, TfL will send you a Verification Letter, normally within a couple of weeks. The letter will ask you to confirm or deny the incident and ask you to give any mitigating circumstances which you would like them to take into account when deciding how to proceed. Who this letter will be sent to depends on whose details you gave - it'll either be sent to you or to the Parent/Guardian of your sister.

TfL do not offer out of court settlements but occasionally they issue a final warning but to obtain a warning you have to clearly state your case to them. Simply syating that your own card was blocked so you used your sisters instead won't cut it, I'm afraid.

When the letterarrives, post a redacted copy of it in this thread and we can advise next steps. In the meantime it might be worth having a read of TfL's Revenue Enforcement & Prosecutions Policy, specifically section 8.

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/revenue-enforcement-and-prosecutions-policy.pdf

Hi in the end I complied and admitted I was using my sisters oyster as I was caught in a lie and gave them the oyster. I did apologise after and understood and in the end I gave them my identity

 

[Hadders]

Hi in the end I complied and admitted I was using my sisters oyster as I was caught in a lie and gave them the oyster. I did apologise after and understood and in the end I gave them my identity

Thanks for confirming. The Verification Letter will be addressed to you and you will need to reply to it.

When it comes, feel free to post a redacted copy of it in this thread along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you.

 

[Jigglybigglysi]

Thanks for confirming. The Verification Letter will be addressed to you and you will need to reply to it.

When it comes, feel free to post a redacted copy of it in this thread along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you.

Thank you so much I should be back in about 7-10 days

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Apr 2025 ==

The letter has arrived… I have written a draft shall I post it?

 

[Spaceship323]

Thank you so much I should be back in about 7-10 days

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Apr 2025 ==

The letter has arrived… I have written a draft shall I post it?

Please post it on here then we can suggest any changes that may be required (rather than put it in a postbox), also post a redacted copy of their verification letter (as per the advice above)