Caught by revenue protection officer on a train without a ticket

[williamm1996]

Hi all, I was taking the train home last week, I usually drive most of the way, park up and then get the train into the city to avoid the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

I was on the way home, almost home in fact, when a RPI approached me. I said I didn’t want to give me details as there was no need as I was happy to pay for a ticket there. They started recording me on their body cam (without telling me), which is fine; I wasn’t aggressive or anything and after they said it was a criminal offence to not give details they allowed me to purchase a ticket on my app.

They scanned the Aztec code on the ticket as normal, and said I'd be receiving a fine in the post. But how on earth would they know my address?

In my train ticket app, the only details is my email address, and I paid with Apple pay and yes, deep in my Apple wallet settings my address is on the billing address for that card, but could they really delve that deep?

It’s annoying as it’s not my usual route, but I had left my car keys at work, so I decided to get the train all the way home that night and then this happened!

 

[Adam Williams]

It is entirely possible for a ticket retailer/merchant to ask Apple Pay to pass over the postal address associated with the cardholder.

 

[dmncf]

Am I correct to understand that:
- You normally use the train for the part of your journey nearest your workplace. Do you buy train tickets for that part?
- You normally use your car for the part of your journey nearest your home, but you used the train for the full journey on the occasion you encountered a revenue protection inspector. Do you have proof of paying for car parking, e.g. at the car park of your mid-journey station?

The railway company will see your home address and possibly see your ticket purchasing history and I wonder if you're at risk of the railway company alleging that you are short-faring.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi all, I was taking the train home last week, I usually drive most of the way, park up and then get the train into the city to avoid ulez. I was on the way home, almost home in fact, when a RPI approached me. I said I didn’t want to give me details as there was no need as I was happy to pay for a ticket there. They started recording me on their body cam (without telling me) which is fine I wasn’t aggressive or anything and after they said it was a criminal offence to not give details they allowed me to purchase a ticket on my app. They scanned the QR on the ticket as normal and said id be receiving a fine in the post. But how on earth would they know my address? In my train ticket app the only details is my email address and I paid with apple pay and yes deep in my Apple wallet settings my address is on the billing address for that card but could they really delve that deep? It’s annoying as it’s not my usual route but I had left my car keys at work so decided to get the train all the way home that night and then this happened!

Basically you’ve got to wait and see what happens if or when they contact you.
It’s vital you watch out first any communication from them (as missing that can quite easily result in this escalating to court prosecution). So for at least 6 to 7 months keep a watch out forward copy post or e mail and check spam regularly.

When it if you get anything return here for advice on what to do. Ideally return here before responding to what they send in any way. That way you can get advise on your options.

It would help if you could tell us any of the info appropriate from the pinned post at the top of this part of the forum.

In any case which train company was involved in this?

 

[williamm1996]

Am I correct to understand that:
- You normally use the train for the part of your journey nearest your workplace. Do you buy train tickets for that part?
- You normally use your car for the part of your journey nearest your home, but you used the train for the full journey on the occasion you encountered a revenue protection inspector. Do you have proof of paying for car parking, e.g. at the car park of your mid-journey station?

The railway company will see your home address and possibly see your ticket purchasing history and I wonder if you're at risk of the railway company alleging that you are short-faring.

Hey thanks for your reply. I don’t have proof of parking no as I park on a friends apartment space for free as she doesn’t use it but I do have proof of physical paper tickets I also buy from that station if that would help?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Feb 2026 ==

Basically you’ve got to wait and see what happens if or when they contact you.
It’s vital you watch out first any communication from them (as missing that can quite easily result in this escalating to court prosecution). So for at least 6 to 7 months keep a watch out forward copy post or e mail and check spam regularly.

When it if you get anything return here for advice on what to do. Ideally return here before responding to what they send in any way. That way you can get advise on your options.

It would help if you could tell us any of the info appropriate from the pinned post at the top of this part of the forum.

In any case which train company was involved in this?

Hi, thanks for your reply. It’s west midlands railway and 6-7 months sounds a very long time! I thought it was a few weeks? I’ve spoken to someone I know who is kind of in the know in that department and they said sometimes the RPI person doesn’t end up putting it through or sometimes they are trying to scare you to make you buy one before you travel next time?

 

[WesternLancer]

Hey thanks for your reply. I don’t have proof of parking no as I park on a friends apartment space for free as she doesn’t use it but I do have proof of physical paper tickets I also buy from that station if that would help?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Feb 2026 ==


Hi, thanks for your reply. It’s west midlands railway and 6-7 months sounds a very long time! I thought it was a few weeks? I’ve spoken to someone I know who is kind of in the know in that department and they said sometimes the RPI person doesn’t end up putting it through or sometimes they are trying to scare you to make you buy one before you travel next time?

WMR might be quicker.

The downside with them is they are big on post penalty fare digital trawls for other suspicious tickets or what they think of other suspicious tickets. So keep proof of anything you can find now.

Your friend signing a written statement that she permits you to use her drive might be something that could be used, but of course only necessary if it gets to that stage where they claim to not believe you or some such.
If her parking place is just one station away from eg new street that’s the sort of thing that they might not believe…

 

[z444z]

I said I didn’t want to give me details as there was no need as I was happy to pay for a ticket there.

Just for clarity, this isn't an option when caught without a ticket. Some staff may let you, often because they aren't qualified to take enforcement action, but if you cannot produce a valid ticket when asked then you are legally required to provide your details.

They started recording me on their body cam (without telling me) which is fine I wasn’t aggressive or anything and after they said it was a criminal offence to not give details they allowed me to purchase a ticket on my app. They scanned the QR on the ticket as normal and said id be receiving a fine in the post. But how on earth would they know my address?

They basically avoided the conflict by letting you buy a ticket, knowing they'd get your details from scanning it. They could have called BTP to detain you and take your details. If you at no point gave the details requested then you have probably committed a further criminal offence on top of boarding without a ticket. It's hard to know whether this will have any impact on things - the team dealing with your case may not even know the details of what happened - but this will either have no impact or will hurt your case. WMR are usually happy to settle though and I have a feeling they will in this case too as long as you cooperate and apologise.

In my train ticket app the only details is my email address and I paid with apple pay and yes deep in my Apple wallet settings my address is on the billing address for that card but could they really delve that deep?

Yes, very possibly. Or they might just email you.

Hi, thanks for your reply. It’s west midlands railway and 6-7 months sounds a very long time! I thought it was a few weeks?

It varies by train company, but is likely to be multiple months.

I’ve spoken to someone I know who is kind of in the know in that department and they said sometimes the RPI person doesn’t end up putting it through or sometimes they are trying to scare you to make you buy one before you travel next time?

From what you've said this sounds unlikely but it's always possible.

 

[AlterEgo]

Birmingham's Clean Air Zone is very small, though this is at least a unique variation on the usual justification for habitual short faring.

Where is the Zone? | Charges and operation | Brum Breathes

Brum Breathes, clean air, clean air zone, Birmingham, health, well being, CAZ, Birmingham Clean Air Zone, Birmingham congestion charge

www.brumbreathes.co.uk

The Clean Air Zone, covers an area of the city centre inside the A4540 Middleway (but not the Middleway itself). It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

 

[RPI]

It's quite easy for them to get your details from the ticket scan, WMR are particularly keen on doing this judging by some of the posts on these forums, the fact that they have bodyworn footage will also help to remove any "Circumstantial" issues.

You just need to sit tight and wait for any correspondence now, you might get lucky and the Inspector might have thought they can't be bothered to follow it up

 

[williamm1996]

Thanks for your reply. Yes perhaps. I mean I’m not worried about them filming me, as I said there was no aggression or threats etc just normal talking and not for long. If a fine comes a fine comes it’s just one of those things and I’ll pay it. I just don’t see why it could take however many months

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Feb 2026 ==

It's quite easy for them to get your details from the ticket scan, WMR are particularly keen on doing this judging by some of the posts on these forums, the fact that they have bodyworn footage will also help to remove any "Circumstantial" issues.

You just need to sit tight and wait for any correspondence now, you might get lucky and the Inspector might have thought they can't be bothered to follow it up

Thanks for your reply. Yes perhaps. I mean I’m not worried about them filming me, as I said there was no aggression or threats etc just normal talking and not for long. If a fine comes a fine comes it’s just one of those things and I’ll pay it. I just don’t see why it could take however many months. I’m just interested in GDPR really, surely it would just be an email as that’s the only thing on my train ticket app? I kind of wish it was just post as then I wouldn’t have to keep checking my junk emails lol

 

[WesternLancer]

Thanks for your reply. Yes perhaps. I mean I’m not worried about them filming me, as I said there was no aggression or threats etc just normal talking and not for long. If a fine comes a fine comes it’s just one of those things and I’ll pay it. I just don’t see why it could take however many months

Because you don’t just get sent a ‘fine’. Which I think I keep saying.

 

[jfollows]

Just be aware that boarding a train without a ticket is a criminal offence, for which you could be prosecuted and gain a criminal record. It’s likely they’ll agree to settle with you out of court, but don’t take it for granted. In which case it won’t be a “fine” either, as stated above. You will need to engage with them and agree to pay their settlement amount.

 

[Adam Williams]

I’m just interested in GDPR really, surely it would just be an email as that’s the only thing on my train ticket app

It depends on the app. When you initialise an Apple Pay payment you can basically say "I want the customer's shipping/billing address" and you'll then get it passed over and have the opportunity to store it. I think the UI does make it clear that this is happening. One of the biggest reasons this is done is to check against the bank's address to protect against stolen credit / debit cards (a service called AVS).

Equally the app may not have specified this, it entirely depends on the merchant.

 

[z444z]

If a fine comes a fine comes it’s just one of those things and I’ll pay it.

A fine is issued by a court. You’re likely to receive either an offer to settle out of court, or a letter notifying you of their intention to prosecute but asking for your side of the story, at which point a reply apologising and asking to settle generally gets a settlement offered. This is entirely voluntary on both sides but is generally in everyone’s interest as the train company gets more money and you avoid a criminal record.

just don’t see why it could take however many months.

Because you are far from the only case they’re dealing with.

I’m just interested in GDPR really, surely it would just be an email as that’s the only thing on my train ticket app?

You could be right but pursuing this argument at this stage will just end in you being prosecuted. If you want to look into a GDPR claim you should settle the case first, then wait for the 6 month deadline for prosecution to pass, then pursue that.

I kind of wish it was just post as then I wouldn’t have to keep checking my junk emails lol

Sorry to be blunt, but too bad. You broke the law and are complaining about an incredibly minor inconvenience. Helpful mode back on, might you be able to set up a filter that ensures any email with “WMR” or “fare” etc are not sent to junk?

 

[williamm1996]

WMR might be quicker.

The downside with them is they are big on post penalty fare digital trawls for other suspicious tickets or what they think of other suspicious tickets. So keep proof of anything you can find now.

Your friend signing a written statement that she permits you to use her drive might be something that could be used, but of course only necessary if it gets to that stage where they claim to not believe you or some such.
If her parking place is just one station away from eg new street that’s the sort of thing that they might not believe…

Yeah I have paper tickets brought from the station I go to and from as well as my digital ones. There is some occasions where I pay for parking when I can’t use a friends driveway which I could also show via bank statements actually

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Feb 2026 ==

A fine is issued by a court. You’re likely to receive either an offer to settle out of court, or a letter notifying you of their intention to prosecute but asking for your side of the story, at which point a reply apologising and asking to settle generally gets a settlement offered. This is entirely voluntary on both sides, but unless both sides agree to settle the likely outcome is a criminal prosecution.

Because you are far from the only case they’re dealing with.

You could be right but pursuing this argument at this stage will just end in you being prosecuted. If you want to look into a GDPR claim you should settle the case first, then wait for the 6 month deadline for prosecution to pass, then pursue that.

Sorry to be blunt, but too bad. You broke the law and are complaining about an incredibly minor inconvenience. Helpful mode back on, might you be able to set up a filter that ensures any email with “WMR” or “fare” etc are not sent to junk?

Well at least this shows I care about what I’ve done? Your smart comments really don’t cause me any annoyance I’ll just allow you to burn yourself out if you like

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Feb 2026 ==

Yeah I have paper tickets brought from the station I go to and from as well as my digital ones. There is some occasions where I pay for parking when I can’t use a friends driveway which I could also show via bank statements actually

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Feb 2026 ==


Well at least this shows I care about what I’ve done? Your smart comments really don’t cause me any annoyance I’ll just allow you to burn yourself out if you like

I’ve just seen the first part of your reply which I thought was someone else’s so genuinely thank you for that as I’ve only just seen it but yeah still no need for the sass in the final paragraph lol

 

[z444z]

Well at least this shows I care about what I’ve done? Your smart comments really don’t cause me any annoyance I’ll just allow you to burn yourself out if you like

I am not trying to cause you annoyance, I’m trying to help you. If WMR pick up on the flippant attitude towards this serious matter, they will not like it and it will not end well for you.

 

[jfollows]

If you mean that you come here for advice but call someone with almost 1,000 posts on the subject “smart” because you appear not to like the truth, then, yes, go ahead.
All the posters here are willing to help you without making judgments of any sort. You should follow the same path.

 

[williamm1996]

I am not trying to cause you annoyance, I’m trying to help you. If WMR pick up on the flippant attitude towards this serious matter, they will not like it and it will not end well for you.

Yes and I appreciate the help in your first few paragraphs which apologetically I did see after sending initial reply calling you smart

 

[tram21]

Birmingham's Clean Air Zone is very small, though this is at least a unique variation on the usual justification for habitual short faring.

Where is the Zone? | Charges and operation | Brum Breathes

Brum Breathes, clean air, clean air zone, Birmingham, health, well being, CAZ, Birmingham Clean Air Zone, Birmingham congestion charge

www.brumbreathes.co.uk

Quite, I thought we were talking about London initially and thought it was fair enough, but this does seem a little odd.

@williamm1996 All Birmingham city centre stations have ticket barriers, so how would you have got through them? Arriving without a ticket is not a valid excuse!

 

[CharlieSpotted]

All Birmingham city centre stations have ticket barriers, so how would you have got through them? Arriving without a ticket is not a valid excuse!

Yes, but not all of them are manned all of the time.

 

[Cowley]

Ok. Probably good to take a breather for a bit and not get into any more back and forth.

@williamm1996 - The members on here are trying to provide you with well thought out, experienced and free advice. It’s not personal and we can fully vouch that they know what they’re talking about.

 

[williamm1996]

Ok. Probably good to take a breather for a bit and not get into any more back and forth.

@williamm1996 - The members on here are trying to provide you with well thought out, experienced and free advice. It’s not personal and we can fully vouch that they know what they’re talking about.

Yes that’s totally fine. As I said I replied to z444z quite prematurely to their last paragraph not noticing the rest of their helpful message above that which I’ve since thanked them for and apologised. The Threads on these chats are quite confusing

 

[z444z]

Yes that’s totally fine. As I said I replied to z444z quite prematurely to their last paragraph not noticing the rest of their helpful message above that which I’ve since thanked them for and apologised. The Threads on these chats are quite confusing

No hard feelings, I appreciate I was a little blunt but felt it was needed. Nobody here is upset and we are all happy to continue to assist you with this