Travel irregularity settlement letter

[PapaTraindawg]

Hi, I was hoping to get some advice on the below issue.

My daughter (16) traveled via train and got caught using a child ticket, her and her friends all gave their real names and addresses. We've had a settlement letter through from GWR requesting to pay them. The ISSUE we have is that the letter is not addressed to her, and she doesn't recognise the name.

Can anyone please advise how to proceed? Is there anything they can do considering they've got completely the wrong name?

Thank you

 

[methecooldude]

My daughter (16) traveled via train and got caught using a child ticket, her and her friends all gave their real names and addresses. We've had a settlement letter through from GWR requesting to pay them. The ISSUE we have is that the letter is not addressed to her, and she doesn't recognise the name.

The first obvious question, is why did she (or you) open mail that's not addressed to you or her.

Does the reference number match that on the paperwork your daughter should have been given?

 

[PapaTraindawg]

It had the gwr logo and she was expecting them to send mail about the incident. I don't think she noticed it wasn't addressed to her until she read the letter.

We don't have any paperwork.

 

[Hadders]

The first obvious question, is why did she (or you) open mail that's not addressed to you or her.

Does the reference number match that on the paperwork your daughter should have been given?

I'm not sure this is helpful in the context of the incident.

I think you've got two options here:

1. Contact GWR and point out what has happened. GWR are generally reasonable to deal with when it comes to this sort of thing and will almost certaibly offer an out of court settlement costing the fare for the journey made at the full Anytime rate, plus an admin fee - normally £150 but often reduced for someone who is young.

2. Return the letter with a covering note saying the person isn't known at this address. It's possible that if GWR has had an administrative mix-up that the matter will go away, but it's also possible that GWR will realose what has happened and get back in touch.

It comes down to your appetite for risk.

 

[PapaTraindawg]

Thanks for the responses, that's really helpful

 

[RPI]

I'm not sure this is helpful in the context of the incident.

I think you've got two options here:

1. Contact GWR and point out what has happened. GWR are generally reasonable to deal with when it comes to this sort of thing and will almost certaibly offer an out of court settlement costing the fare for the journey made at the full Anytime rate, plus an admin fee - normally £150 but often reduced for someone who is young.

2. Return the letter with a covering note saying the person isn't known at this address. It's possible that if GWR has had an administrative mix-up that the matter will go away, but it's also possible that GWR will realose what has happened and get back in touch.

It comes down to your appetite for risk.

The admin fee for under 18's is a lot less than £150.