child tickets as an adult

[prnfn]

I got caught yesterday with a child ticket as an adult. I tried to lie my way out of it but she didn't accept my BS and I was charged the remaining price of the adult ticket. She told me that this was a verbal warning and to never do it again (I do not plan to) and it was left there. I am however worried that she will decide to take the details of the bank account used to pay the remaining fare to the company (this is badly worded but I basically mean that she will tell someone to look into the account), since I told her that I'm an adult, and will find out that I've done this numerous times before. Honestly I never realised how big a deal this was until she explained it to me whilst setting up the machine to receive the rest of the payment. My questions are:
1) is it likely that she will do this? No information about me was taken so she basically just has the contactless details from the rest of the payment and the scan of the original ticket
2) if she does take this to someone, what is my best course of action to avoid a criminal record?
Also it was on an LNER train if that has any effect. Thank you for any answers.

 

[yorkie]

Did you use an e-ticket and was it scanned?

Do you know if you encountered the Train Manager (Guard) or a revenue protection officer?

 

[prnfn]

Did you use an e-ticket and was it scanned?

Do you know if you encountered the Train Manager (Guard) or a revenue protection officer?

For the first part, yes to both.

For the second part, I have no idea. She came around scanning tickets and after she gave me a rightful telling off I wasn't approached by any more staff neither on the train nor in the train station.

 

[yorkie]

It sounds like you encountered the Train Manager and that you were let off.

If they wanted to trace the purchaser, then in theory they could do this by requesting the information from the retailer, however it sounds like that isn't going to happen.

Had you encountered a different Train Manager, or a revenue protection officer, the outcome for you could have been worse; they may not have asked you to pay the fare, but instead they could have reported you for prosecution.

 

[prnfn]

It sounds like you encountered the Train Manager and that you were let off.

If they wanted to trace the purchaser, then in theory they could do this by requesting the information from the retailer, however it sounds like that isn't going to happen.

Okay, I'm one lucky guy then. I figured they could trace it if they wanted and if that happens then so be it, since I did do wrong. Thank you for your advice, it means a lot.

 

[yorkie]

No worries. A quick browse through similar threads on this forum would give you an idea as to what could have happened!

 

[prnfn]

No worries. A quick browse through similar threads on this forum would give you an idea as to what could have happened!

Oh believe me I have been browsing, got so in my head I couldn't focus so I figured I'd make my own post. I'm very grateful to the woman who let me off after seeing how badly this could've become.

 

[WesternLancer]

Oh believe me I have been browsing, got so in my head I couldn't focus so I figured I'd make my own post. I'm very grateful to the woman who let me off after seeing how badly this could've become.

Get a railcard. Assuming you are entitled to one eg not being over 30 years old and travelling on child tickets

 

[prnfn]

Get a railcard. Assuming you are entitled to one eg not being over 30 years old and travelling on child tickets

Is this general advice or is it something you think I should do specifically because of my circumstances?

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Get a railcard. Assuming you are entitled to one eg not being over 30 years old and travelling on child tickets

Is this general advice or is it something you think I should do specifically because of my circumstances?

To put @WesternLancer 's good advice in more formal terms:

If you
- frequently use the railway or make high cost train trips, and
- are entitled to buy a railcard (broadly, you're under 30 or over 60, you're a full time student, disabled or in HM Forces: other railcards exist but may require you to travel with other people or only have limited geographical validity)

Then you should think about buying a railcard. The main benefit is that it makes most tickets cheaper: if you're in dispute with the railway, it also helps show that you have learnt your lesson and you will try not to pay the wrong fare again.

 

[prnfn]

To put @WesternLancer 's good advice in more formal terms:

If you
- frequently use the railway or make high cost train trips, and
- are entitled to buy a railcard (broadly, you're under 30 or over 60, you're a full time student, disabled or in HM Forces: other railcards exist but may require you to travel with other people or only have limited geographical validity)

Then you should think about buying a railcard. The main benefit is that it makes most tickets cheaper: if you're in dispute with the railway, it also helps show that you have learnt your lesson and you will try not to pay the wrong fare again.

Thanks for the response! I’ll definitely get one then since I’m under 30 currently and I like to go to museums and such

 

[WesternLancer]

Is this general advice or is it something you think I should do specifically because of my circumstances?

Yes just as good general advice. You’ve had a lucky break from a guard who probably had more stuff to do than take all your details. Other staff like revenue protection won’t be so forgiving so don’t risk it again. Child tickets are definitely a sign of premeditated evasion so not usually penalty fare territory so the costs of sorting it out rarely less than best part of £200 plus all previous instances they can find on your on line purchasing.

 

[prnfn]

Yes just as good general advice. You’ve had a lucky break from a guard who probably had more stuff to do than take all your details. Other staff like revenue protection won’t be so forgiving so don’t risk it again. Child tickets are definitely a sign of premeditated evasion so not usually penalty fare territory so the costs of sorting it out rarely less than best part of £200 plus all previous instances they can find on your on line purchasing.

I definitely don’t plan to. I know it may seem absolutely stupid (as I am) but I never connected in my head that I was committing fraud. After she explained to me that being caught again could escalate to court I’ve finally connected the dots and it is 100% not worth the risk. I’m incredibly grateful to her and counting my blessings.