100 instances of Fare Evasion

[caitlinkatiep]

Hi everyone,

Hope you’re all good!

Firstly just want to say it’s so amazing that this forum exists (who knew!) I have found it really helpful. I wanted to post my story here, and will keep you updated the whole time so that you know the outcome so you can continue to help others!

Since graduating university I have had a job in central London where I get off at Waterloo. My home station is Hampton, with no barriers. So over the last few years I have frequently bought tickets from Vauxhall- Waterloo, Waterloo-Vauxhall when I have in fact been going to and from Hampton. This would save me a few pounds each time. Which of course adds up. All of these were bought on Trainline and looking now over the past 3 years I can see about 150 instances where I have done this.

It goes without saying I know how stupid this is and I will 100% never ever do it again. This experience has been super high opening to just how serious fare evasion is and it isn’t just a little “hack”. It’s fraud!

I was travelling to Waterloo today and tapped my ticket (Vauxhall- Waterloo) a revenue protection officer pulled me to the side looked at my ticket and I admitted that I came from Hampton not Vauxhall. And he gave me a TIR.

I assume now they will look into my history and see the whopping 150 times I have done this (I can’t believe it I’m such a idiot. I would love to hear any reassurances.

My plan is wait for the letter, see what they say, if they mention all the other instances which I’m sure they will. That I confess to all of it, apologise say it will never happen again, and ask if they could grant me an out of court settlement and pay whatever it is (probably £2k plus)

The help which I would love, is when I do get the letter, this only happened today if anyone could look at it for me that would be amazing. And then just any reassurance I am not going to go to prison, and no criminal record.

I am worried that as I have done this so many times with SWR that they will want to take me to court. I work in marketing so I don’t think a criminal record will affect my job but obviously something I want to avoid

Can anyone let me know if they have had or heard of someone with a similar experience and what happened to them. Thank you so so much just feeling very anxious! Obviously all my fault though.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 May 2026 ==

Just to reconfirm this was with SWR, the slip of paper they gave me says TIR. And what I have been doing which I expect they will soon find out is 150 instances of “short fareing”

 

[Elecman]

You won’t be going to prison but you are going to be facing a large settlement value as each return journey will be treated as 2 separate single anytime fares owing with no consideration of the amount you have paid plus a £150-250 point administration fee as an out of court settlement

wait until the letter from the train company arrives then come back here for more advice on how to reply to maximise your chances of getting an Out of Court settlement offer.

im the meantime try and work out how much the 150 return journeys should have cost plus the settlement admin fee as set aside that money so you can pay it quickly if/when you get the offer as you only have a short time to accept and pay

 

[Haywain]

im the meantime try and work out how much the 150 return journeys should have cost

At today's prices, you're looking at £9.40 each way or £18.50 return.

 

[styles]

Wait until the letter (if any) arrives then report back for advice.

For those a bit more experienced in this - is a settlement still likely when there's 150 accounts of fare evasion (assuming SWR uncover this)? It seems quite severe.

 

[caitlinkatiep]

So I counted, there is 162 times I have evaded a fair, will see what they respond with but will obviously happily own up to them all.

They were all singles so looking like around £1.7k plus whatever the admin is. So probably £2k! Which is so rubbish but I deserve it. And it’s definitely a good way to prevent fare evasion as I will NEVER be doing that again. Serious lesson learnt.

Do you think they let you pay by credit card? Obviously not ideal but would make getting the money together much easier so quickly.

Thanks so much for ur responses!!! U guys are great!!!

 

[WesternLancer]

At today's prices, you're looking at £9.40 each way or £18.50 return.

So op probably needs to ensure they have c£3k in available funds by the time SWR untangle this.

To the op. Plenty if other Vauxhall evaders been here for help before so you can search the forum to get an idea. Just search ‘Vauxhall’ on this part of the forum to find some I expect.

 

[caitlinkatiep]

I am worried as it is lots of different times I have done this over a 3 year period. Do you think a settlement out of court is likely?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 May 2026 ==

Wait until the letter (if any) arrives then report back for advice.

For those a bit more experienced in this - is a settlement still likely when there's 150 accounts of fare evasion (assuming SWR uncover this)? It seems quite severe.

When u say if it comes, have u seen people where a letter never comes? I feel like for this level of fare evasion I will definitely receive one! I’m so stupid!

 

[WesternLancer]

So I counted, there is 162 times I have evaded a fair, will see what they respond with but will obviously happily own up to them all.

They were all singles so looking like around £1.7k plus whatever the admin is. So probably £2k! Which is so rubbish but I deserve it. And it’s definitely a good way to prevent fare evasion as I will NEVER be doing that again. Serious lesson learnt.

Do you think they let you pay by credit card? Obviously not ideal but would make getting the money together much easier so quickly.

Thanks so much for ur responses!!! U guys are great!!!

I may have overestimated if you mean 160 ish one way trips.

I would expect them to take payment by credit card, but not sure for certain.

 

[styles]

When u say if it comes, have u seen people where a letter never comes? I feel like for this level of fare evasion I will definitely receive one! I’m so stupid!

There have been occasions where the time limit has run out but honestly I wouldn't get your hopes up. It's an exception, not the norm.

 

[caitlinkatiep]

I may have overestimated if you mean 160 ish one way trips.

I would expect them to take payment by credit card, but not sure for certain.

Thank u so much for the speedy reply! From what u have seen, as I have done this lots of time, with other that have fare evaded 100+ times have they been offered the chance to settle if they are happy to pay! Thank u so much for everyone on this form! I know u can’t guarantee anything but feeling a lot less anxious that at least im not going to prison aha! (Touch wood!!)

 

[WesternLancer]

I am worried as it is lots of different times I have done this over a 3 year period. Do you think a settlement out of court is likely?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 May 2026 ==


When u say if it comes, have u seen people where a letter never comes? I feel like for this level of fare evasion I will definitely receive one! I’m so stupid!

I would think a settlement is achievable if you co operate with them.

Sometimes they lose paperwork. If they do good chance you’ll never hear from the. But I would not rely on that.

 

[caitlinkatiep]

So op probably needs to ensure they have c£3k in available funds by the time SWR untangle this.

To the op. Plenty if other Vauxhall evaders been here for help before so you can search the forum to get an idea. Just search ‘Vauxhall’ on this part of the forum to find some I expect.

Thank u!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 May 2026 ==

I would think a settlement is achievable if you co operate with them.

Sometimes they lose paperwork. If they do good chance you’ll never hear from the. But I would not rely on that.

Thank u! That reassures me! Will make sure to keep u updated! As all my tickets were bought on Trainline and the operator scanned my e ticket I fear it will be very easy for them to find all this. But I deserve it at the end of the day! Never again though!!!

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank u!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 May 2026 ==


Thank u! That reassures me! Will make sure to keep u updated! As all my tickets were bought on Trainline and the operator scanned my e ticket I fear it will be very easy for them to find all this. But I deserve it at the end of the day! Never again though!!!

SWR do seem to check ticket buying records and seek payment for other instances they detect or find suspicious.
Again, see some other swr threads while you wait to hear from them.

 

[SECR 65]

As others have said, SWR settle in the majority of cases. Whilst it will cost a lot of money, as has been established, I suspect that, provided you cooperate, you will be offered a settlement.

 

[Swedenorer]

Look at it from their point of view

For 162 single trips you've already paid them £4.10 a time £665 a dead loss to you as they are ignored.

They will want 162 x £9.40 = £1522

Plus an admin fee of £250 say.

So they will have had from you a total of around £2500 with really very little work on their part. If you are talking about 162 return trips you can double that.

You will be paying that out of taxed income meaning it's a cost to you of £3000 gross.

What outfit wouldn't settle on those terms?

And with the Vauxhall Waterloo ticket you were certain to be challenged sometime.

 

[Trainman40083]

Yes as a previous poster highlights, with Vauxhall to Waterloo tickets, you were certain to be challenged, at some point...They only need to catch the passenger once, and well, the outcome is predictable. If someone does that, it is highly likely the ticket wasn't scanned in, or out, at Vauxhall. So they set the barriers to reject the tickets. Likewise they can see when a ticket was purchased.

 

[Spaceship323]

Most people would use contactless for that journey anyway, so just the act of buying a ticket would be suspicious

 

[caitlinkatiep]

Yes as a previous poster highlights, with Vauxhall to Waterloo tickets, you were certain to be challenged, at some point...They only need to catch the passenger once, and well, the outcome is predictable. If someone does that, it is highly likely the ticket wasn't scanned in, or out, at Vauxhall. So they set the barriers to reject the tickets. Likewise they can see when a ticket was purchased.

Ahhh I know! Really seeing the severity of the situation now and hoping to get an out of court settlement and pay immediately. probably C£2.5k ! So lesson very much learnt. Really hoping I will get the opportunity to have a out of court settlement as I appreciate I have done this many times. Going to cooperate and apologies once I receive the letter.

 

[Trainman40083]

Ahhh I know! Really seeing the severity of the situation now and hoping to get an out of court settlement and pay immediately. probably C£2.5k ! So lesson very much learnt. Really hoping I will get the opportunity to have a out of court settlement as I appreciate I have done this many times. Going to cooperate and apologies once I receive the letter.

I hope you get it sorted. You should get offered a settlement, if you respond in the right way. They want the money they are owed, and they want to know you won't do it again. But, I guess in the meantime, you have got to start saving up

 

[Haywain]

hoping to get an out of court settlement and pay immediately. probably C£2.5k

Based on what you've told us, I am confident that you will get a settlement, and you should save around £500 of that unless you have missed a lot of journeys from your calculation.

 

[BG2024]

Is there anything else in your Trainline history that might look iffy to an outsider? Railcard discounts? Other trips that don't start or end near your home? Refunds of unscanned tickets?

Once they start a fishing trip into your account, be prepared for a settlement offer that puts everything in scope if they don't like the look of it.

 

[caitlinkatiep]

Is there anything else in your Trainline history that might look iffy to an outsider? Railcard discounts? Other trips that don't start or end near your home? Refunds of unscanned tickets?

Once they start a fishing trip into your account, be prepared for a settlement offer that puts everything in scope if they don't like the look of it.

Yes that is me honestly counting everything that looks suspicious. And it looks suspicious coz it is! So pretty sure it’s all of it! If it isn’t I’ll just have to pay it it’s my fault! Just hopping to settle it with a payment! Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 May 2026 ==

Thank u this makes me feel better! Thanks for taking the time! This forum is amazing!

Based on what you've told us, I am confident that you will get a settlement, and you should save around £500 of that unless you have missed a lot of journeys from your calculation.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 May 2026 ==

I hope you get it sorted. You should get offered a settlement, if you respond in the right way. They want the money they are owed, and they want to know you won't do it again. But, I guess in the meantime, you have got to start saving up

Thank you!!!! Yes I do!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 May 2026 ==


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 May 2026 ==

Just to add to this I did also confess to the revenue protection employee that I had been doing this for some time as he asked and thought it was best not to lie. He said how long and I said a year. I hope that doesn’t make this worse, I am obviously wanting to be 100% honest but not sure if I should have revealed this to him in person at the time of the ticket

 

[Mattplans]

Just to add to this I did also confess to the revenue protection employee that I had been doing this for some time as he asked and thought it was best not to lie. He said how long and I said a year. I hope that doesn’t make this worse, I am obviously wanting to be 100% honest but not sure if I should have revealed this to him in person at the time of the ticket

Regardless of what you said, you would've been reported for prosecution and they're going to investigate your ticket history anyway. That was pretty much a guarantee from the moment you were stopped and there's little you could've said to get out of it. So don't worry about that.

 

[caitlinkatiep]

Helloooo everyone! I am back with an update! Before I get into it just wanted to say how much of a lifesaver this whole forum has been. Would of been 200x more stressed if it wasn’t for everyone taking the time to reply and give their insight!!! I received this letter in the post on 12th June. I am going to email the email today. Like I said previously I am happy to own up to everything and pay the money (will likely be circa £2k which is depressing but my fault so what I deserve! How should I respond to this email! Any advice or links to different chains or examples would be SO helpful. Thank you so much!!!

 

[styles]

Helloooo everyone! I am back with an update! Before I get into it just wanted to say how much of a lifesaver this whole forum has been. Would of been 200x more stressed if it wasn’t for everyone taking the time to reply and give their insight!!! I received this letter in the post on 12th June. I am going to email the email today. Like I said previously I am happy to own up to everything and pay the money (will likely be circa £2k which is depressing but my fault so what I deserve! How should I respond to this email! Any advice or links to different chains or examples would be SO helpful. Thank you so much!!!

Post a draft of your email here to get feedback from those experienced dealing with such matters is my advice!

 

[Haywain]

Helloooo everyone! I am back with an update! Before I get into it just wanted to say how much of a lifesaver this whole forum has been. Would of been 200x more stressed if it wasn’t for everyone taking the time to reply and give their insight!!! I received this letter in the post on 12th June. I am going to email the email today. Like I said previously I am happy to own up to everything and pay the money (will likely be circa £2k which is depressing but my fault so what I deserve! How should I respond to this email! Any advice or links to different chains or examples would be SO helpful. Thank you so much!!!

At this stage you are only being asked about the one incident when you were stopped, so that is all you should refer to in your reply. You will probably then receive a follow-up letter asking about other cases when they have looked at your booking history.

 

[SECR 65]

• Apologise for not having a valid ticket for the journey you were stopped on.
• Show that you understand that not having a valid ticket was wrong at is unacceptable
• Say that you will always ensure you purchase a valid ticket before boarding for future journeys
• Express a desire to cooperate, settle the matter without court procedings, and say you are willing to pay the outstanding fare and and administrative fees incurred by SWR.

As said above, only mention the incident where you were caught. However, don’t say that you have 'never done anything like this before' because this is not true.
As a rule of thumb, tell them truthfully what they ask about, but nothing more.

There are definitely other threads with similar situations, which will be helpful to you. I'm afraid I don't have the time or my laptop to find links now, but I could do later this evening if that would be helpful.

 

[caitlinkatiep]

Thank you so much for your help and advice everyone! Will look at some chains and write the email tonight! I will update you on the response and next steps. Have a good day!

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you so much for your help and advice everyone! Will look at some chains and write the email tonight! I will update you on the response and next steps. Have a good day!

I suggest posting a draft of your mail here for checking before you send it. If that would be helpful for you.

 

[caitlinkatiep]

Hi everyone! I just received this email! Any advice? I haven’t seen a email like this before on the forum. I won’t be getting legal advice but seems like they are saying I should? Does this imply they want to take me to court. Any help would be really appreciated thank u!