Short Fare, Invalid Rail Card

[taylorswift13]

They will get your name and address from trainline as part of their investigation, as long as your bank have your current address any post will go to the right place

Hey, In 3 days, it will be six months since September 30th. I am wondering if they can still prosecute me. I have not done anything since that day. Always pay full price.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hey, In 3 days, it will be six months since September 30th. I am wondering if they can still prosecute me. I have not done anything since that day. Always pay full price.

You would need to wait a few weeks beyond 6 months to be sure of this because they could possibly have taken the matter to court and it would take the court a few weeks to process that and contact you.

 

[MotCO]

Hey, In 3 days, it will be six months since September 30th. I am wondering if they can still prosecute me. I have not done anything since that day. Always pay full price.

Is your Mail Redirect still in place? (Post #30 refers). If you don't hear within the next month, you may wish to contact someone (Court? the TOC? - others will advise) to make sure that Court action has not been issued against you without your knowledge.

 

[z444z]

Reading back through this thread, it doesn't seem to have been definitively established which train company scanned the OP's ticket, but GWR seems to have been assumed, despite the OP seeming to say it was scanned on board an SWR train.

GWR missing the deadline - not surprising, they regularly do this and then pursue civil claims
SWR missing the deadline - more surprising, they're generally quite on top of things

However, as I said in post #58, it's very possible that nothing was ever going to come of this. I agree with the advice from @MotCO above - wait another couple weeks and then make enquiries to find out whether proceedings have happened without your knowledge. I will also defer to those with more expert knowledge on who exactly to contact to establish this.

 

[taylorswift13]

Reading back through this thread, it doesn't seem to have been definitively established which train company scanned the OP's ticket, but GWR seems to have been assumed, despite the OP seeming to say it was scanned on board an SWR train.

GWR missing the deadline - not surprising, they regularly do this and then pursue civil claims
SWR missing the deadline - more surprising, they're generally quite on top of things

However, as I said in post #58, it's very possible that nothing was ever going to come of this. I agree with the advice from @MotCO above - wait another couple weeks and then make enquiries to find out whether proceedings have happened without your knowledge. I will also defer to those with more expert knowledge on who exactly to contact to establish this.

Hello, I still haven't received anything as off now. My previous landlord did not received anything either. How do I make enquiries, please guide me.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 May 2026 ==

Reading back through this thread, it doesn't seem to have been definitively established which train company scanned the OP's ticket, but GWR seems to have been assumed, despite the OP seeming to say it was scanned on board an SWR train.

GWR missing the deadline - not surprising, they regularly do this and then pursue civil claims
SWR missing the deadline - more surprising, they're generally quite on top of things

However, as I said in post #58, it's very possible that nothing was ever going to come of this. I agree with the advice from @MotCO above - wait another couple weeks and then make enquiries to find out whether proceedings have happened without your knowledge. I will also defer to those with more expert knowledge on who exactly to contact to establish this.

Also I only had like 3 GWR ticket

 

[Haywain]

Hello, I still haven't received anything as off now. My previous landlord did not received anything either. How do I make enquiries, please guide me.

I would let it rest. There is nothing to be achieved by doing otherwise.

 

[taylorswift13]

I would let it rest. There is nothing to be achieved by doing otherwise.

Do you think i still contact the court?

 

[Haywain]

Do you think i still contact the court?

I don't see how you can possibly know which court might have handled a case, so there is no point.

 

[taylorswift13]

I don't see how you can possibly know which court might have handled a case, so there is no point.

Okay, I will not worry anymore

 

[taylorswift13]

I don't see how you can possibly know which court might have handled a case, so there is no point.

Is there a way to check if anything is showing on my crime record

 

[SECR 65]

You will be informed by GWR if any legal proceedings are being undertaken.

I assume when stopped you gave the correct postal address that they can contact you with?

Appologies if mentioned above I haven't read the entire thread.

 

[taylorswift13]

You will be informed by GWR if any legal proceedings are being undertaken.

I assume when stopped you gave the correct postal address that they can contact you with?

Appologies if mentioned above I haven't read the entire thread.

They never asked me for address or name or anything. They just told me they will report me to trainline, I got worried so I begged him not to, he said it is not fair if he don't then do forget about it for now and get on with my life.

GWR is very few ticket and I was caught on SWR

 

[SECR 65]

The way I see it, is, they cannot prosecute you if they cannot work out who you are. Or, if they can obtain a name for you and ascertain your identity, they will be able to contact you. I can't in my head see a way in which they can prosecute you without getting in touch.

 

[taylorswift13]

The way I see it, is, they cannot prosecute you if they cannot work out who you are. Or, if they can obtain a name for you and ascertain your identity, they will be able to contact you. I can't in my head see a way in which they can prosecute you without getting in touch.

I was told that they can find a way to get my name, but my worry is that my previous landlord ghosted but until recent she told me she didn't receive anything

 

[Sun Chariot]

Hello @taylorswift13 the 6 months period for a criminal proceeding against you, has lapsed (in light of your opening post dated October 2025).

Be aware though that GWR could still use its relationship (and its legal powers) with Trainline, to investigate your digital tickets history and then seek Civil Action, for your payment for all journeys GWR believes you did not pay the correct valid fare for. They have iirc, up to 6 years to pursue you for it.
GWR (or their agent) will typically contact via means of your name on your Trainline account payment-card and / or your email address linked to your Trainline account.

Your opening post, you admitted: "...I have about 130 tickets where I used for short fare and invalid ticket". So be prepared for GWR to seek your payment of the Anytime Single fare between the two actual stations for each and every journey you fare-evaded.

 

[taylorswift13]

Hello @taylorswift13 the 6 months period for a criminal proceeding against you, has lapsed (in light of your opening post dated October 2025).

Be aware though that GWR could still use its relationship (and its legal powers) with Trainline, to investigate your digital tickets history and then seek Civil Action, for your payment for all journeys GWR believes you did not pay the correct valid fare for. They have iirc, up to 6 years to pursue you for it.
GWR (or their agent) will typically contact via means of your name on your Trainline account payment-card and / or your email address linked to your Trainline account.

Your opening post, you admitted: "...I have about 130 tickets where I used for short fare and invalid ticket". So be prepared for GWR to seek your payment of the Anytime Single fare between the two actual stations for each and every journey you fare-evaded.

For GWR, I have about three tickets.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 May 2026 ==

For GWR, I have about three tickets.

Also My train line account was not logged in but the tickets were showing in my email which is technically spam email so it doesn't have any information in terms of me. Do they actually follow up through legal if the tickets are that low.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 May 2026 ==

For GWR, I have about three tickets.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 May 2026 ==


Also My train line account was not logged in but the tickets were showing in my email which is technically spam email so it doesn't have any information in terms of me. Do they actually follow up through legal if the tickets are that low.

Total ticket price might be about £60-£70

 

[Sun Chariot]

For GWR, I have about three tickets.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 May 2026 ==


Also My train line account was not logged in but the tickets were showing in my email which is technically spam email so it doesn't have any information in terms of me. Do they actually follow up through legal if the tickets are that low.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 May 2026 ==


Total ticket price might be about £60-£70

Whuchever TOC that investigates and pursues this - if they do so - will act as single point for the other TOCs related to your circa 130 instances of fare-avoidance. I.E. SWR.

 

[taylorswift13]

Whuchever TOC that investigates and pursues this - if they do so - will act as single point for the other TOCs related to your circa 130 instances of fare-avoidance. I.E. SWR.

@WesternLancer Hello, I waited a few more week after the six months, nothing has come in yet. Should I still be worried? To be honest, I have my money ready to pay. The only worries is it would be prosected without my consent.

 

[WesternLancer]

Whuchever TOC that investigates and pursues this - if they do so - will act as single point for the other TOCs related to your circa 130 instances of fare-avoidance. I.E. SWR.

However, so far I don't think we have seen SWR try to seek historic cases of evasion via the civil courts after the b6 month period has elapsed. We have only seen GWR do this - and GWR are not (I assume) likely to investigate the individual concerned as the OP was stopped by SWR - correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Thanks @WesternLancer and the OP's scenaro gives a lower (but not 0%) likelihood of TOC pursuing them

 

[taylorswift13]

However, so far I don't think we have seen SWR try to seek historic cases of evasion via the civil courts after the b6 month period has elapsed. We have only seen GWR do this - and GWR are not (I assume) likely to investigate the individual concerned as the OP was stopped by SWR - correct me if I am wrong.

It would probably be about 7th month now. SWR has not contacted me yet, until last week previous landlord has not received anything expect some delivery packages i accidentally sent to. I hope they just have proper structural procedures to these chases.

 

[WesternLancer]

@WesternLancer Hello, I waited a few more week after the six months, nothing has come in yet. Should I still be worried?

Probably no need to be worried

To be honest, I have my money ready to pay.

Always a good idea to have emergency savings 'for a rainy day' - so put them in an account with a decent rate of interest, in case of a rainy day.

The only worries is it would be prosected without my consent.

No one needs your consent to prosecute you....the police don't ask people's permission before they arrest them - but I'm sure you mean 'without your knowledge'.

As mentioned up thread it is very unlikely indeed that you would get prosecuted without your knowledge in this case - if that did happen there is a process for unwinding things with the court and starting again - called a 'Statutory Declaration' - so if you found out later on about a prosecution without knowing about it then head back here ASAP for advice on that to do - IIRC you have to make a Statutory Declaration within 21 days of first becoming aware that you had been convicted by a court without you being aware of it.

The most likely way you could become aware of it would be things like
- a DBS check being run on you eg in relation to a job application and it coming to light
or, and more likely unless you work in an area where DBS checks get made,
- a court bailiff tracking you down a a correct address and writing to you requesting payment of a court fine.


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[Sun Chariot]

If you moved home since the date you were stopped @taylorswift13 then, if you haven't already set up a Royal Mail post re-direction (see Royal Mail app or website) for, say, six months, I strongly recommend you do that. It serves as "catch-all" for post sent to you.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 May 2026 ==

I hope they just have proper structural procedures to these chases.

Debt collection entites - whether TOC or the agent acting for them - have well-used approaches for tracking down people they need to find.

 

[taylorswift13]

Probably no need to be worried


Always a good idea to have emergency savings 'for a rainy day' - so put them in an account with a decent rate of interest, in case of a rainy day.


No one needs your consent to prosecute you....the police don't ask people's permission before they arrest them - but I'm sure you mean 'without your knowledge'.

As mentioned up thread it is very unlikely indeed that you would get prosecuted without your knowledge in this case - if that did happen there is a process for unwinding things with the court and starting again - called a 'Statutory Declaration' - so if you found out later on about a prosecution without knowing about it then head back here ASAP for advice on that to do - IIRC you have to make a Statutory Declaration within 21 days of first becoming aware that you had been convicted by a court without you being aware of it.

The most likely way you could become aware of it would be things like
- a DBS check being run on you eg in relation to a job application and it coming to light
or, and more likely unless you work in an area where DBS checks get made,
- a court bailiff tracking you down a a correct address and writing to you requesting payment of a court fine.


-

Yes acknowledgment..court fine is additional fine if I didn't attend right. For statutory declaration, I would have to hire a lawyer who is specialised in that right?

 

[Spaceship323]

No, if you're summoned to court you have to attend
Any solicitor can witness a statutory declaration - it costs £5

But don't worry, you won't be getting a criminal record, the train company can only prosecute this in a civil court

 

[WesternLancer]

Yes acknowledgment..court fine is additional fine if I didn't attend right.

No a court fine would be for someone who has been convicted of an offence - ie found guilty - you don't have to be there for this to happen with this sort of offence. The court would just process it anyway - they will do this for hundreds of people who get taken to court but ignore the court summons (or never get it)

For statutory declaration, I would have to hire a lawyer who is specialised in that right?

No - you can do it yourself with guidance from here
It's just an official form that essentially declares that you knew nothing about the court case and then the matter is re-set to start again

But the chances of anything like this happening to you are very slim indeed I would think

 

[MotCO]

If they trace you from your Trainline account, is your address held by Trainline correct and current?

 

[taylorswift13]

If they trace you from your Trainline account, is your address held by Trainline correct and current?

So My trainline account is not logged in and there is no address

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 May 2026 ==

No a court fine would be for someone who has been convicted of an offence - ie found guilty - you don't have to be there for this to happen with this sort of offence. The court would just process it anyway - they will do this for hundreds of people who get taken to court but ignore the court summons (or never get it)

No - you can do it yourself with guidance from here
It's just an official form that essentially declares that you knew nothing about the court case and then the matter is re-set to start again

But the chances of anything like this happening to you are very slim indeed I would think

Sorry, I am asking too many questions. I am completely not familiar with these things. For court fine, if I do statutory declaration, I do not have to pay that but I have to pay for settlement fine with the company instead right? Then it would reverse the prosecution

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 May 2026 ==

If they trace you from your Trainline account, is your address held by Trainline correct and current?

But payment, apple pay is connected to my revolut which has updated address

 

[WesternLancer]

Sorry, I am asking too many questions. I am completely not familiar with these things. For court fine, if I do statutory declaration, I do not have to pay that but I have to pay for settlement fine with the company instead right? Then it would reverse the prosecution

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 May 2026 ==

None of this matters until you are in a situation where it is actually happening - so forget about it

But
IF you were prosecuted and found guilty without you knowing, The court sentence would be a fine issued by the court (instead of a prison sentence because the court do not send people to prison for not paying a train fare)
IF you then found out about it later, you would make a Statutory Declaration to state you did not know about it
THAT would wipe the slate clean and that fine and the conviction would be voided
THEN you could seek to agree an out of court settlement with the railway company, before it went to court again for a trial that you did know about

IF you have not had a court fine none of this applies.

If you find out you have had one, then come back here for advice. Until you do find that out - stop thinking about it