TfL prosecution

[user2846]

Hi,
I was caught using my dad's Oyster card about 3 months ago and I responded by telling them that I lost my Oyster card (which is true) and that I had nothing else to use except my dad's Oyster card. Today I got this scary letter, and it honestly startled me quite a bit. I'm 19 so I've never dealt with something like this before. My mum passed away last year and so now only having one income in the house from my dad, I was simply trying to save some money. I did lie to the inspector and say that Ive only used it once but I would use maybe every other day for about a month or so. What kind of charge am I looking at? Will this go on my criminal record and if so how is that going to impact me in the future? Also I have seen some people say to write a letter to Tfl, taking accountability and apologising. Should I do this?

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi,
I was caught using my dad's Oyster card about 3 months ago and I responded by telling them that I loView attachment 207126st my Oyster card (which is true) and that I had nothing else to use except my dad's Oyster card. Today I got this scary letter, and it honestly startled me quite a bit. I'm 19 so I've never dealt with something like this before. My mum passed away last year and so now only having one income in the house from my dad, I was simply trying to save some money. I did lie to the inspector and say that Ive only used it once but I would use maybe every other day for about a month or so. What kind of charge am I looking at? Will this go on my criminal record and if so how is that going to impact me in the future? Also I have seen some people say to write a letter to Tfl, taking accountability and apologising. Should I do this?

Welcome.
Sorry to read of your financial difficulties. It’s not easy for young people which I do understand.

See various other TfL threads where it’s pretty clear how this tends to play out.

I’m afraid the outcome is a strong probability of prosecution for this.
TfL take this sort of evasion very seriously.
The taxpayer funds these passes for people who are entitled to them not for others who would like to pay a lower fare.

Despite this it maybe worth writing to them to apologise etc because that shows you are taking this seriously and if / when it gets to court that’s better than it looking like you have ignored them (which large numbers of people do).

They prosecute about 15,000 people a year for ticketing offences and many will be this sort of thing.

If convicted you would have to declare it if asked about convictions, until it’s ‘spent. ‘
Others here will know and it’s on other threads too but I think that for 1 or 2 years.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Did the inspector confiscate your father's freedom pass? How has your father managed to travel if this was the case?

 

[user2846]

Yeah he did confiscate it but he told me when I order his new card to mark it as stolen. The inspector also told me to say that my dad didn't know that I was using his pass. So essentially he was helping me despite me being in the wrong. My dad doesn't really use the card anyways tho so thankfully it didn't affect him!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Jul 2026 ==

Welcome.
Sorry to read of your financial difficulties. It’s not easy for young people which I do understand.

See various other TfL threads where it’s pretty clear how this tends to play out.

I’m afraid the outcome is a strong probability of prosecution for this.
TfL take this sort of evasion very seriously.
The taxpayer funds these passes for people who are entitled to them not for others who would like to pay a lower fare.

Despite this it maybe worth writing to them to apologise etc because that shows you are taking this seriously and if / when it gets to court that’s better than it looking like you have ignored them (which large numbers of people do).

They prosecute about 15,000 people a year for ticketing offences and many will be this sort of thing.

If convicted you would have to declare it if asked about convictions, until it’s ‘spent. ‘
Others here will know and it’s on other threads too but I think that for 1 or 2 years.

Thank you so much!! really appreciate this advice its very useful.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Jul 2026 ==

Welcome.
Sorry to read of your financial difficulties. It’s not easy for young people which I do understand.

See various other TfL threads where it’s pretty clear how this tends to play out.

I’m afraid the outcome is a strong probability of prosecution for this.
TfL take this sort of evasion very seriously.
The taxpayer funds these passes for people who are entitled to them not for others who would like to pay a lower fare.

Despite this it maybe worth writing to them to apologise etc because that shows you are taking this seriously and if / when it gets to court that’s better than it looking like you have ignored them (which large numbers of people do).

They prosecute about 15,000 people a year for ticketing offences and many will be this sort of thing.

If convicted you would have to declare it if asked about convictions, until it’s ‘spent. ‘
Others here will know and it’s on other threads too but I think that for 1 or 2 years.

Sorry I just wanted to ask one more thing if thats okay. Regarding the letter should I send it by post or email it to the email given on the letter. They also gave me an address on the letter by the way, so I would be able to send it by post too.

 

[WesternLancer]

Yeah he did confiscate it but he told me when I order his new card to mark it as stolen. The inspector also told me to say that my dad didn't know that I was using his pass. So essentially he was helping me despite me being in the wrong. My dad doesn't really use the card anyways tho so thankfully it didn't affect him!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Jul 2026 ==


Thank you so much!! really appreciate this advice its very useful.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Jul 2026 ==


Sorry I just wanted to ask one more thing if thats okay. Regarding the letter should I send it by post or email it to the email given on the letter. They also gave me an address on the letter by the way, so I would be able to send it by post too.

You could presumably use either method to reply.

But be sure to include your ref number and postal address on anything you send

Keep a copy of what you send too.

 

[user2846]

You could presumably use either method to reply.

But be sure to include your ref number and postal address on anything you send

Keep a copy of what you send too.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your advice. I hope you have a nice evening!

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your advice. I hope you have a nice evening!

Before you reply you need to read the TfL prosecution policy especially the section on reasons for mitigation.
That is mentioned and explained on various other TfL threads on the forum. You should look through some of you have not done so already.

 

[user2846]

Before you reply you need to read the TfL prosecution policy especially the section on reasons for mitigation.
That is mentioned and explained on various other TfL threads on the forum. You should look through some of you have not done so already.

I will read through them before writing the letter. Again thank you so much!!

 

[spotify95]

Hi,
I was caught using my dad's Oyster card about 3 months ago and I responded by telling them that I loView attachment 207126st my Oyster card (which is true) and that I had nothing else to use except my dad's Oyster card. Today I got this scary letter, and it honestly startled me quite a bit. I'm 19 so I've never dealt with something like this before. My mum passed away last year and so now only having one income in the house from my dad, I was simply trying to save some money. I did lie to the inspector and say that Ive only used it once but I would use maybe every other day for about a month or so. What kind of charge am I looking at? Will this go on my criminal record and if so how is that going to impact me in the future? Also I have seen some people say to write a letter to Tfl, taking accountability and apologising. Should I do this?

Hi, firstly I'm sorry to hear of your financial difficulties in these times.

The letter you've received sounds like you already received a first letter from TfL (this is often referred to as a Verification Letter) and you've replied to it, then they sent you this reply.

When TfL say they are reviewing your case, it means you will either receive a warning, or you will be prosecuted. Warnings are rarely given out, especially regarding the misuse of passes, however there's nothing to lose in replying back to them (as also suggested by others).

Personally, I'd say the best course of action is to use a solicitor (that specializes in rail fare evasion) if you want to avoid prosecution, however I also understand that you may not be able to afford one, given your circumstances. So it's still worth replying back to TFL in case you are able to swing their decision to a warning (avoiding court).
The good news (as such) is that if you are prosecuted, the fine issued is based on your income, so if you personally do not have an income, you'll be able to tell the court this and it will reduce the amount you'll have to pay. You'd also have to pay court costs and compensation for fares owed.
If TfL discover that the Oyster card was misused on multiple occasions, they may ask you to pay for all cases where this happened - you'd need to attend court in person for this (this is referred to as a summons).

I know it hasn't got this far yet, however I mention the above because TfL rarely issue warnings for pass misuse (unless there are mitigating factors as per TfL's prosecution policy). They almost always send these cases to court, and prosecute thousands of cases of fare evasion annually.

Good luck, and I wish you all the best. You have my sympathy as it is difficult in these times to financially survive.

 

[Haywain]

What kind of charge am I looking at? Will this go on my criminal record and if so how is that going to impact me in the future?

It would be a charge for an offence under the TfL byelaws and if, as is very likely, you are found guilty you would get a criminal record. However, in general this is a very minor offence and would not have an impact on your career prospects. The conviction would be spent after 1 year and then would only be required to be declared under certain circumstances - for most jobs you are only required to declare a conviction that is not spent. Whilst it is suggested that a solicitor might be able to assist you in getting a warning instead, this would cost around £800 to £1200, and this is a good bit more than you are likely to get fined, especially if you are on a low income.

 

[user2846]

Hi, firstly I'm sorry to hear of your financial difficulties in these times.

The letter you've received sounds like you already received a first letter from TfL (this is often referred to as a Verification Letter) and you've replied to it, then they sent you this reply.

When TfL say they are reviewing your case, it means you will either receive a warning, or you will be prosecuted. Warnings are rarely given out, especially regarding the misuse of passes, however there's nothing to lose in replying back to them (as also suggested by others).

Personally, I'd say the best course of action is to use a solicitor (that specializes in rail fare evasion) if you want to avoid prosecution, however I also understand that you may not be able to afford one, given your circumstances. So it's still worth replying back to TFL in case you are able to swing their decision to a warning (avoiding court).
The good news (as such) is that if you are prosecuted, the fine issued is based on your income, so if you personally do not have an income, you'll be able to tell the court this and it will reduce the amount you'll have to pay. You'd also have to pay court costs and compensation for fares owed.
If TfL discover that the Oyster card was misused on multiple occasions, they may ask you to pay for all cases where this happened - you'd need to attend court in person for this (this is referred to as a summons).

I know it hasn't got this far yet, however I mention the above because TfL rarely issue warnings for pass misuse (unless there are mitigating factors as per TfL's prosecution policy). They almost always send these cases to court, and prosecute thousands of cases of fare evasion annually.

Good luck, and I wish you all the best. You have my sympathy as it is difficult in these times to financially survive.

Thank you so much! This is really kind of you and all the information you've given me is very useful. I will make sure to write them a letter and hope for the best. I cant change what has happened so I can only look forward now.