Action before investigation

[steelriver]

Hi folks - looking for some advice please.

I was flabbergasted to find that my train app, which I don't use much these days, contained a fair few journeys that I hadn't booked.

I recollect giving my Dad my old phone with apps etc still installed. I spoke to him this morning and he confirmed that he had booked these journeys and from what he said, was short-ticketing or donutting. He said he'd been using the credit card details contained in the app and paying the money into my bank account at the end of each month (I wasn't aware as I only check the balance not the individual items).

We had a "full and frank discussion" whereby he is ready to admit what he's done and make recompense, pay a penalty, etc.

My question is - should I just keep my head down and hope nothing comes of it (he says he's never been stopped) BUT
if it does come to the attention of the TOC, I won't have any option but to dob him in (he accepts that)?

Hope that makes sense?

 

[SargeNpton]

As far as what has happened with the rail tickets is concerned, you have pretty much given yourself the correct advice.

As far as your bank statements and credit cards statements are concerned - as a matter of course, everybody should be checking them to identify possible rogue transactions periodically.

 

[Haywain]

If he's buying tickets on your account are you not getting email confirmations for the bookings? That would surely alert you to the activity. I'd strongly suggest getting logged out of the app on that old phone and changing your password.

 

[steelriver]

If he's buying tickets on your account are you not getting email confirmations for the bookings? That would surely alert you to the activity. I'd strongly suggest getting logged out of the app on that old phone and changing your password.

Thanks. No, I assume any email confirmations are going through to the old phone?

I've removed the app, changed the password and removed me credit card details so the old git can't do it again.

 

[ainsworth74]

My question is - should I just keep my head down and hope nothing comes of it (he says he's never been stopped) BUT

Yes I would agree with this.

if it does come to the attention of the TOC, I won't have any option but to dob him in (he accepts that)?

I would also agree with this. It is technically a criminal offence so if you were to try and take the rap for him (why would you?) or pretend you had no idea who was doing it (how could that possibly be true?) that would possibly be considered perverting the course of justice (on the basis it would not be dissimilar to couples who manage to persuade a partner to take the points for a speeding offence when they weren't the one driving) which can have far more serious consequences than railway fare evasion typically does (technically life imprisonment, though that seems highly unlikely to apply in this case, more that the charge would look considerably worse to a future employer)! But that is an area, to be fair, that I'm not especially well versed on. Either way I would say if they do contact you, you would have to dob him in I would say.

 

[30907]

Fortunately your dodgy Dad hasn't yet been caught, and is no longer in position to land you in the proverbial.

Incidentally, I am surprised the app stores your 3-digit security code.

 

[willesdenwill]

Fortunately your dodgy Dad hasn't yet been caught, and is no longer in position to land you in the proverbial.

Incidentally, I am surprised the app stores your 3-digit security code.

As long as the TOC don't see a problem and do some digging?

 

[stuartl]

Fortunately your dodgy Dad hasn't yet been caught, and is no longer in position to land you in the proverbial.

Incidentally, I am surprised the app stores your 3-digit security code.

Isn't storing the cvv against the credit card pci agreement ?

 

[island]

Isn't storing the cvv against the credit card pci agreement ?

It's against the rules for the merchant to store it, but it could have been saved on the device and autofilled, or the phone user might have happened to remember the three or four digits, or they might have been paying with Apple/Google Pay which don't require it.

 

[Llanigraham]

It's against the rules for the merchant to store it, but it could have been saved on the device and autofilled, or the phone user might have happened to remember the three or four digits, or they might have been paying with Apple/Google Pay which don't require it.

None of my 4 machines i use remember the 3 number ccv for any of the banks I use.

 

[island]

None of my 4 machines i use remember the 3 number ccv for any of the banks I use.

All Apple devices running the current version of iOS can have the option enabled to remember it. I cannot speak for other or older devices.

 

[AlterEgo]

Whether you rat out a family member is a matter of conscience. The whole scenario doesn’t make sense anyway - why would you not just use your own card to buy those tickets if you’re leaving a paper trail anyway by sending the exact amounts to your son? I’m out.

 

[ChewChewTrain]

Yes I would agree with this.

I would also agree with this. It is technically a criminal offence so if you were to try and take the rap for him (why would you?) or pretend you had no idea who was doing it (how could that possibly be true?) that would possibly be considered perverting the course of justice (on the basis it would not be dissimilar to couples who manage to persuade a partner to take the points for a speeding offence when they weren't the one driving) which can have far more serious consequences than railway fare evasion typically does (technically life imprisonment, though that seems highly unlikely to apply in this case, more that the charge would look considerably worse to a future employer)! But that is an area, to be fair, that I'm not especially well versed on. Either way I would say if they do contact you, you would have to dob him in I would say.

I’m certainly no expert either, but I believe that when it comes to driving offences caught on camera, there is specific legislation (S172 I think) which requires the registered keeper to name the driver at the time. Otherwise, AIUI, they could simply keep schtum and require the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt who the driver was.

Does that not suggest that, in the absence of any equivalent to S172 for rail ticketing offences, the OP can simply say nothing, and, if ever taken to court, simply plead not guilty and deny (truthfully) that they were the person who bought the tickets?

Perhaps someone like @tspaul26 can shed light.

 

[scrapy]

I’m certainly no expert either, but I believe that when it comes to driving offences caught on camera, there is specific legislation (S172 I think) which requires the registered keeper to name the driver at the time. Otherwise, AIUI, they could simply keep schtum and require the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt who the driver was.

Does that not suggest that, in the absence of any equivalent to S172 for rail ticketing offences, the OP can simply say nothing, and, if ever taken to court, simply plead not guilty and deny (truthfully) that they were the person who bought the tickets?

Perhaps someone like @tspaul26 can shed light.

They could do this, but without taking their dad as a witness, there is a likelyhood that the court wouldn't believe them, especially if they have been given the chance to give that information before going to court and chosen not to. They would then end up with a criminal record and a financial sum to pay. I personally wouldn't take that chance.