Notice to prosecute

[loqnb]

Recieved notice to prosecute by email from CR. Was stopped at the barriers and didn't have a railcard to show for my ticket. I didn't have any ID on me or give my name so they must have traced my ticket back to my trainline account.

Email recieved -

Following an investigation by Chilterail\ways Fraud Unit,we have identified that you travelled on (date) between 1 stop destination and 1 stop destination, you failed to purchase a valid railticket for your entire rail journey.
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of the report and of any action that may follow from it, and to provide you with the opportunity to inform us of any mitigation that you may wish to be considered.

Only used this train line account once and for this ticket. It's under a different name and email. This is what the ntp email addresses me as. I've only used this card once to purchase ticket.

Will respond with an email. So far just reiterated what they wrote and apologised for not purchasing a valid ticket since I was stopped due to railcard, will they explicitly ask for events or just follow up with fine. What's the process?

 

[minderbinder]

Recieved notice to prosecute by email from CR. Was stopped at the barriers and didn't have a railcard to show for my ticket. Also short fared but not sure if they picked up on this or check things like cctv. I didn't have any ID on me or give my name so they must have traced my ticket back to my trainline account.

Only used this train line account once and for this ticket. It's under a different name and email. This is what the ntp email addresses me as. The only thing is the payment details have my initials on there not full name. Can they trace it back?

I don't mind paying the fee but will they ask for my real ID. I had an issue years ago but paid the fine so I need the best advise.

Trainline accepts the following payment methods: Amex, Diners Club, Maestro, Mastercard, Visa, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal.

All of these payment service providers are registered with the "Know Your Customer" (KYC) process, which means that any of these payment methods will be linked to your real identity.

 

[loqnb]

Trainline accepts the following payment methods: Amex, Diners Club, Maestro, Mastercard, Visa, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal.

All of these payment service providers are registered with the "Know Your Customer" (KYC) process, which means that any of these payment methods will be linked to your real identity.

Thank you for your response. So will CR request further information from my visa payment. I've written an email up already and will respond from the email they sent to, not including my name on the bottom. I will reiterate whats in the email applogising for not purchasing a valid ticket. Do I need to be specific and what should I include. How does it work? Will they respond with a fine or request further information from me? What do you you think is the best route to take?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Apr 2025 ==

Anyone offering advise? Need to make sure to take the right steps. Thanks

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Will respond with an email. So far just reiterated what they wrote and apologised for not purchasing a valid ticket since I was stopped due to railcard, will they explicitly ask for events or just follow up with fine. What's the process?

To pick up on this, what Chiltern want to get out of this is reassurance that you won't fare dodge again: if you look round the forum you will see that @Hadders gives some excellent advice of the sort of thing which we find will convince the railway that you won't fare dodge again. If you can convince them, then expect to be able to settle the matter out of court by paying the train fare that you should have paid, plus an admin fee of around £150 or so.

But you should also be aware that this isn't a 'one size fits all' process: if the railway have cause to think that you're not being fully honest with them then they may also doubt the sincerity of any promise you make not to fare dodge again. So you could find yourself being taken to court. As @minderbinder explains above, it's possible to track you through your credit/debit card, so suppressing your name won't put the railway off your trail - but it might make them wonder how open and honest you're being if you're not prepared to give your name, and so encourage them to prosecute you instead of offering an out of court settlement.

 

[loqnb]

To pick up on this, what Chiltern want to get out of this is reassurance that you won't fare dodge again: if you look round the forum you will see that @Hadders gives some excellent advice of the sort of thing which we find will convince the railway that you won't fare dodge again. If you can convince them, then expect to be able to settle the matter out of court by paying the train fare that you should have paid, plus an admin fee of around £150 or so.

But you should also be aware that this isn't a 'one size fits all' process: if the railway have cause to think that you're not being fully honest with them then they may also doubt the sincerity of any promise you make not to fare dodge again. So you could find yourself being taken to court. As @minderbinder explains above, it's possible to track you through your credit/debit card, so suppressing your name won't put the railway off your trail - but it might make them wonder how open and honest you're being if you're not prepared to give your name, and so encourage them to prosecute you instead of offering an out of court settlement.

Thank you for your response. Do you think I should include my name at the bottom or see if they request my name? If they ask if will give them. Will they or just go off the name on my trainline account.

So far this is what I've written

Firstly, I would like to sincerely apologise for failing to purchase a valid ticket. I deeply regret that this incident has caused inconvenience and loss to your company. I fully understand the importance of paying the correct fare and complying with the necessary regulations and have learned from this.

I am keen to resolve this matter without the need for court action. If possible, I would be happy to settle the outstanding fare, as well as any administrative costs.

I understand that this is a serious issue, and I appreciate your consideration. I am committed to rectifying the situation as soon as possible and look forward to your response.

Do you think I should include anything else?

 

[Titfield]

Chiltern Railways will trace you. They will decide whether to prosecute you or offer you an out of court settlement. As has been said above an out of court settlement if offered by them will be for the full fare avoided (using the anytime single - twice if it was a return) plus an admin fee of C£150-£200. No account will be taken of the fare already paid.

I would give them my name and address knowing they may then see the short faring. If you do not, then if they suspect you of short faring they will take you to court where the financial penalty will be much higher (and you get a criminal conviction as well).

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Do you think I should include my name at the bottom or see if they request my name?

If you're looking to be open and honest with them, then provide your name.

So far this is what I've written

Firstly, I would like to sincerely apologise for failing to purchase a valid ticket. I deeply regret that this incident has caused inconvenience and loss to your company. I fully understand the importance of paying the correct fare and complying with the necessary regulations and have learned from this.

I am keen to resolve this matter without the need for court action. If possible, I would be happy to settle the outstanding fare, as well as any administrative costs.

I understand that this is a serious issue, and I appreciate your consideration. I am committed to rectifying the situation as soon as possible and look forward to your response.

Do you think I should include anything else?

As I said earlier, you need to convince the railway that you won't fare dodge again. So to my mind it is worth saying that. While there can't be any guarantee that the railway will just think that you're lying, it at least shows that the idea of being honest in future has crossed your mind.

 

[loqnb]

Chiltern Railways will trace you. They will decide whether to prosecute you or offer you an out of court settlement. As has been said above an out of court settlement if offered by them will be for the full fare avoided (using the anytime single - twice if it was a return) plus an admin fee of C£150-£200. No account will be taken of the fare already paid.

I would give them my name and address knowing they may then see the short faring. If you do not, then if they suspect you of short faring they will take you to court where the financial penalty will be much higher (and you get a criminal conviction as well).

Will they ask for ID or proof of address?

How would they trace?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Apr 2025 ==

If you're looking to be open and honest with them, then provide your name.


As I said earlier, you need to convince the railway that you won't fare dodge again. So to my mind it is worth saying that. While there can't be any guarantee that the railway will just think that you're lying, it at least shows that the idea of being honest in future has crossed your mind.

I'll make sure to include that but I had an issue like 6 to 7 years ago. I paid the fine after purchasing wrong ticket. Will this still be on file, will my name pop up?

 

[Titfield]

If you give them your name and address they can verify your details via reference agencies.

They may have you on file but I doubt it would be a major influencing factor after this length of time.

 

[minderbinder]

How would they trace?

UK financial institutions sign up to a process called “Know Your Customer”. When you signed up for your bank account, credit card, or PayPal account, you were asked to provide ID (likely a passport or driving licence + proof of address).

Chiltern will trace you via Trainline, who will obtain your identity details from the payment provider you used to purchase your ticket.

From your responses here, I suspect that your hope is that you will remain anonymous to Chiltern. I’d suggest that’s unlikely.

 

[loqnb]

If you give them your name and address they can verify your details via reference agencies.

They may have you on file but I doubt it would be a major influencing factor after this length of

If you give them your name and address they can verify your details via reference agencies.

They may have you on file but I doubt it would be a major influencing factor after this length of time.

I have another account on trainline with a railcard. Shall I give the railcard which was the issue. Since the railcard is linked to the other account, I assume they will see my previous tickets

I have done the one stop destination once before. Or if I give my name alone, will they be able to trace this back to a trainline account?

 

[loqnb]

Hi, I recieved a notice to prosecute. I was stopped at the barricades and did not have my railcard on me. I did not have any ID on me and was let through. They traced my ticket back to another trainline account. If I can send my railcard from this account is that enough or will I have to pay for admin fees too. Plus this railcard is linked to another trainline account, will they also review my past history from this account?

 

[30907]

Normally, you can take advantage of the "forgotten railcard/season ticket" policy once a year by providing evidence of the card. Any letter you receive should mention that option, and no fee is payable.

It is likely that the train company will review your purchase history - if that indicates something suspicious (which you seem to think it will), expect to be challenged.
Provided TfL are not involved, you should be able to resolve that without being taken to court.

Please come back for further advice.

 

[loqnb]

Normally, you can take advantage of the "forgotten railcard/season ticket" policy once a year by providing evidence of the card. Any letter you receive should mention that option, and no fee is payable.

It is likely that the train company will review your purchase history - if that indicates something suspicious (which you seem to think it will), expect to be challenged.
Provided TfL are not involved, you should be able to resolve that without being taken to court.

Please come back for further advice.

This is what i recieved

Following an investigation by Chiltern Rail\ways Fraud Unit,we have identified that you travelled on (date) between ... and ..., you failed to purchase a valid railticket for your entire rail journey.
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of the report and of any action that may follow from it, and to provide you with the opportunity to inform us of any mitigation that you may wish to be considered.
Nothing is mentioned in the letter about forgotten railcard.

I did short fare on this occasion and once on the other account. Is this what they are insinuating? I didn't give any information so I suspect they checked cctv. Do they do this?

 

[AlterEgo]

They don’t check CCTV but they also weren’t born yesterday. If it’s Chiltern they may have for example, identified tickets you bought from Wembley Stadium in the past to attempt to operate the barriers in London.

What was the journey you were making when you were stopped?

 

[loqnb]

They don’t check CCTV but they also weren’t born yesterday. If it’s Chiltern they may have for example, identified tickets you bought from Wembley Stadium in the past to attempt to operate the barriers in London.

What was the journey you were making when you were stopped?

I was travelling away from home. It was between one stop so I can understand they would also suspect.

I purchased this from a new trainline account that had no history. My railcard is linked to my old trainline account which doesn't have much inconsistencies since I dont use the train often or have repeat destinations. Maybe three or fours times. Shall I just apologies and send my railcard as forgotten railcard

Do you believe they suspect and will take it further?

 

[AlterEgo]

I was travelling away from home. It was between one stop so I can understand they would also suspect.

Were you short faring on this occasion?

I purchased this from a new trainline account that had no history. My railcard is linked to my old trainline account which doesn't have much inconsistencies since I dont use the train often or have repeat destinations. Maybe three or fours times. Shall I just apologies and send my railcard as forgotten railcard

Do you believe they suspect and will take it further?

They’ve accused you of not paying for your full journey so sending the railcard won’t resolve matters.

Which two stations were you travelling between?

 

[Titfield]

It is challenging for the forum members to give you good advice when you are so guarded as to what you have been up to.

Your reluctance to give the full story plus having multiple accounts suggests that you are trying to find a way of minimising how you present your wrong doing.

If you have used the same payment card for all your bookings (irrespective of on which trainline account) then Chiltern will see this. Whilst they can only prove wrongdoing for the journey you were stopped on (on the basis of short faring and no railcard) , they may play hard ball because of all the other issues they can see and decide not to offer an out of court settlement but proceed to court instead.

 

[loqnb]

Were you short faring on this occasion?


They’ve accused you of not paying for your full journey so sending the railcard won’t resolve matters.

Which two stations were you travelling between?

Princes Risborough to Bicester

 

[AlterEgo]

Princes Risborough to Bicester

It’s not a journey which would really stand out as short faring - I assume your billing/card address is at one of these places? Why might the company suspect you not to have paid the full fare?

 

[loqnb]

It’s not a journey which would really stand out as short faring - I assume your billing/card address is at one of these places? Why might the company suspect you not to have paid the full fare?

I was away for work. My billing address is not close but I've made this trip a few times on my previous trainline account when working away