invalid railcard

[anglo477288266]

No. Not if you co-operate with them - you will see lots of threads on here where SWR have offered settlements instead of prosecuting.

They do seem to investigate past journey history to look for suspicious things as part of their investigation - but still seem OK to settle out of court if there is an acceptance that such past evasion is paid for.

So based off your experience seeing these cases they are only going to observe my Trainline history as you mentioned them looking into my little cousins oyster card and my false 16 plus Oyster card that was made for me is very very unlikely

 

[WesternLancer]

So based off your experience seeing these cases they are only going to observe my Trainline history

we know they do look at Trainline account records as we see this in many other cases.

as you mentioned them looking into my little cousins oyster card and my false 16 plus Oyster card that was made for me is very very unlikely

I do not think I have ever mentioned anything about your use of other people's oyster cards - but if I have let me know in which post, and I can check what I said in case it is not clear.

 

[MotCO]

On the one hand you obviously regret your wrong-doing, which is good since it shows you have learnt your lesson and will not offend again.

On the other hand, you are over-thinking it all. I know it's easier said than done, but take a deep breath and try to put it to one side for the time being. You have to be patient and wait for the letter in 3 - 4 weeks; there is nothing else you can do, apart from save up. Everyone has said don't worry about the Oyster card - it is very, very, very highly unlikely that they know anything about it, will not have any triggers to alert them to it, and will have no evidence to try to make you pay for it.

 

[anglo477288266]

You don't think it will take longer than a month?

On the one hand you obviously regret your wrong-doing, which is good since it shows you have learnt your lesson and will not offend again.

On the other hand, you are over-thinking it all. I know it's easier said than done, but take a deep breath and try to put it to one side for the time being. You have to be patient and wait for the letter in 3 - 4 weeks; there is nothing else you can do, apart from save up. Everyone has said don't worry about the Oyster card - it is very, very, very highly unlikely that they know anything about it, will not have any triggers to alert them to it, and will have no evidence to try to make you pay for it.

The reason why I was worrying about the oysters was to see if they would check cameras as all the tickets were purchased same time roughly to notice a trend

 

[Fawkes Cat]

You don't think it will take longer than a month?

You need to be prepared to wait for up to six months. That's quite a long time, so that's another reason to try and stop stressing about it: it won't do you any good to try and keep this level of concern up for so long.

 

[anglo477288266]

Goodness me 6 months is a long time damn. I thought it should take roughly 3-4 weeks

 

[dosxuk]

Forget about the Oyster stuff now, you were never caught, so even if they suspected the usage then it would be difficult to prove in court.

However, you should realise how lucky you were not to be stopped with it. If you'd been stopped by a TfL inspector with it, you would almost certainly have been prosecuted with zero chance of an out-of-court settlement. That goes not only for the use of your cousin's card, but also the fake one someone made for you.

I would seriously recommend going back to those people and tell them the real world consequences of using someone else's Oyster. It's not a slap on the wrist and a penalty fare, then carry on - it's summons to appear in court, having to pay back all the fares you dodged and records that can interfere with job prospects if you want to go into a field which requires honesty and trust. You can have a search on here for people who have been caught with someone else's Oyster and see how TfL deal with it.

You should also be aware, that using a fake railcard and caught with it, is dealt with far more seriously than just having the wrong ticket. It's clear and irrefutable evidence of trying to de-fraud the railway, and you really don't want to get a conviction for fraud on your records - that has whole life consequences. A quick search of this site will show you just how quickly a fake railcard can be discovered by the railway.

 

[anglo477288266]

Forget about the Oyster stuff now, you were never caught, so even if they suspected the usage then it would be difficult to prove in court.

However, you should realise how lucky you were not to be stopped with it. If you'd been stopped by a TfL inspector with it, you would almost certainly have been prosecuted with zero chance of an out-of-court settlement. That goes not only for the use of your cousin's card, but also the fake one someone made for you.

I would seriously recommend going back to those people and tell them the real world consequences of using someone else's Oyster. It's not a slap on the wrist and a penalty fare, then carry on - it's summons to appear in court, having to pay back all the fares you dodged and records that can interfere with job prospects if you want to go into a field which requires honesty and trust. You can have a search on here for people who have been caught with someone else's Oyster and see how TfL deal with it.

You should also be aware, that using a fake railcard and caught with it, is dealt with far more seriously than just having the wrong ticket. It's clear and irrefutable evidence of trying to de-fraud the railway, and you really don't want to get a conviction for fraud on your records - that has whole life consequences. A quick search of this site will show you just how quickly a fake railcard can be discovered by the railway.

I’ve bought a legit railway card for 35 pounds for 1 year and the 16-25 saver card. I have learnt my lesson

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Sep 2026 ==

Forget about the Oyster stuff now, you were never caught, so even if they suspected the usage then it would be difficult to prove in court.

However, you should realise how lucky you were not to be stopped with it. If you'd been stopped by a TfL inspector with it, you would almost certainly have been prosecuted with zero chance of an out-of-court settlement. That goes not only for the use of your cousin's card, but also the fake one someone made for you.

I would seriously recommend going back to those people and tell them the real world consequences of using someone else's Oyster. It's not a slap on the wrist and a penalty fare, then carry on - it's summons to appear in court, having to pay back all the fares you dodged and records that can interfere with job prospects if you want to go into a field which requires honesty and trust. You can have a search on here for people who have been caught with someone else's Oyster and see how TfL deal with it.

You should also be aware, that using a fake railcard and caught with it, is dealt with far more seriously than just having the wrong ticket. It's clear and irrefutable evidence of trying to de-fraud the railway, and you really don't want to get a conviction for fraud on your records - that has whole life consequences. A quick search of this site will show you just how quickly a fake railcard can be discovered by the railway.

My situation wouldn’t be using a fake railcard card. I’ve only been using Trainline for the past 2 weeks and was doing my trip from my local station to Waterloo- the only difference was that it was 16-17 saver card and not 16-25

 

[swt_passenger]

I’ve bought a legit railway card for 35 pounds for 1 year and the 16-25 saver card. I have learnt my lesson

You’re still confusing things by these descriptions, that reads as if you’ve now got two railcards?

You’ve bought a “16-25 railcard” is all you need to write.

The term “Saver” is only used with the 16-17 card that you aren’t entitled to.

 

[anglo477288266]

Oh my bad I got confused. I purchased the 16-25 railway card.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Sep 2026 ==

From your experience guys do south western check cameras

 

[WesternLancer]

Oh my bad I got confused. I purchased the 16-25 railway card.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Sep 2026 ==

From your experience guys do south western check cameras

Unlikely to check cameras apart from a co ordinated sting for a high value evasion case I suspect.

 

[anglo477288266]

Unlikely to check cameras apart from a co ordinated sting for a high value evasion case I suspect.

Which wouldn't be my case im assuming?

 

[Titfield]

Which wouldn't be my case im assuming?

No that is not going to happen in your case.

 

[anglo477288266]

On average how long does it take for the letter to arrive- it’s been 2 weeks now

 

[WesternLancer]

On average how long does it take for the letter to arrive- it’s been 2 weeks now

maybe 4 to 8 weeks maybe.
Look at other SWR threads where you can plot the timeline when people update there thread at key stages

If you have not heard in 4 months come back here for advice on your options at that stage so you can consider them.

They have up to 6 months to bring the case to court if they want to - that usually acts as a hard deadline for most train companies in order to contact you before they lose the ability to do that (which is when they have you over a barrel during this period)

 

[anglo477288266]

maybe 4 to 8 weeks maybe.
Look at other SWR threads where you can plot the timeline when people update there thread at key stages

If you have not heard in 4 months come back here for advice on your options at that stage so you can consider them.

They have up to 6 months to bring the case to court if they want to - that usually acts as a hard deadline for most train companies in order to contact you before they lose the ability to do that (which is when they have you over a barrel during this period)

What do you mean when they have you over a barrel during the period?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Sunday at 09:35 ==

If I don’t hear in 4 months, what would the circumstance be in that instance?

 

[WesternLancer]

What do you mean when they have you over a barrel during the period?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Sunday at 09:35 ==

If I don’t hear in 4 months, what would the circumstance be in that instance?

I mean that if they want you to settle out of court with them you have little other option but to pay what’s requested or face court prosecution and a criminal record which most people seeking advice here want to avoid.

After 6 months they do not have that possibility any more.

At 4 months you could consider asking them what’s going on with your case or sit tight and don’t remind them.

 

[anglo477288266]

I mean that if they want you to settle out of court with them you have little other option but to pay what’s requested or face court prosecution and a criminal record which most people seeking advice here want to avoid.

After 6 months they do not have that possibility any more.

At 4 months you could consider asking them what’s going on with your case or sit tight and don’t remind them.

Okay that makes sense. So they only have a 6 month window before they attempt to charge me with a fine or criminal record. Do south western always offer out of court settlement in your experience? I’ll wait for another month or two to see if the letter arrives- ideally I’d rather the letter come sooner than possible to finalise this matter

 

[WesternLancer]

Okay that makes sense. So they only have a 6 month window before they attempt to charge me with a fine or criminal record. Do south western always offer out of court settlement in your experience? I’ll wait for another month or two to see if the letter arrives- ideally I’d rather the letter come sooner than possible to finalise this matter

You just have to wait your turn. They stop hundreds of fare evaders and you will be in a queue to be dealt with.
Everyone would like the matter to be dealt with promptly but that’s not realistically possible.

SWR will usually settle out of court with people who co operate with their investigation.
They won’t be issuing a fine. They will want payment for the fares you have evaded, essentially the money they consider you owe them.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

They will want payment for the fares you have evaded, essentially the money they consider you owe them.

Plus a payment to cover the cost of their investigation. While it might be higher or it might be lower, expect the costs to be around £150 on top of the fares.

 

[MotCO]

They will want payment for the fares you have evaded, essentially the money they consider you owe them.

And they will want payment in one go - they will not accept instalments, so start saving now!

 

[Cornish Pasty]

Also, no-one reminds you when the Railcard expires, so make a note on your phone to renew it just before it expires.

I have a digital railcard which expires on 7/10/26. I have received an email reminding me to renew.
Also every time I open the railcard it is clearly marked expiring soon with a link to renew.

 

[MarlowDonkey]

I have a digital railcard which expires on 7/10/26. I have received an email reminding me to renew.
Also every time I open the railcard it is clearly marked expiring soon with a link to renew.

Evidently one of the better retailers. Do you want to give them credit?

 

[Haywain]

Evidently one of the better retailers. Do you want to give them credit?

How many retailers can sell Disabled Railcards?

 

[anglo477288266]

You just have to wait your turn. They stop hundreds of fare evaders and you will be in a queue to be dealt with.
Everyone would like the matter to be dealt with promptly but that’s not realistically possible.

SWR will usually settle out of court with people who co operate with their investigation.
They won’t be issuing a fine. They will want payment for the fares you have evaded, essentially the money they consider you owe them.

I will give it another 2 months and then do you think i should inquire- how would i be able to do that?

 

[WesternLancer]

I will give it another 2 months and then do you think i should inquire- how would i be able to do that?

Come back here and ask about it in 4 months if you’ve not heard by then.
Not 2 months.

But I very much expect you will have heard by then.

For the time being put it to the back of your mind as best you can and get on with other important things.

 

[Cornish Pasty]

Evidently one of the better retailers. Do you want to give them credit

www.railcard.co.uk