Allegedly caught using freedom pass

[carrotsoup]

For legal reasons, I was allegedly caught using someone else’s freedom pass. They shouted their way over to me where they continued to tell me that something beeped when I walked through the barrier. I told them I tapped my phone, where they obviously weren’t convinced. They then told me ‘show us the card and we’ll sort this out with just TFL, or we can get the police involved.’
So I just said ‘so you’re not the police? Okay’ and left the station.
They have no information on me or anything, they’ll obviously find me one way or another.
Any idea what they’ll do now? I’ve seen a lot of another’s allegedly doing the same but they gave over their information.
Any advice? Thanks

 

[Fawkes Cat]

For legal reasons, I was allegedly caught using someone else’s freedom pass. They shouted their way over to me where they continued to tell me that something beeped when I walked through the barrier. I told them I tapped my phone, where they obviously weren’t convinced. They then told me ‘show us the card and we’ll sort this out with just TFL, or we can get the police involved.’
So I just said ‘so you’re not the police? Okay’ and left the station.
They have no information on me or anything, they’ll obviously find me one way or another.
Any idea what they’ll do now? I’ve seen a lot of another’s allegedly doing the same but they gave over their information.
Any advice? Thanks

Welcome to the forum.

For us to give you helpful advice we probably need some more information, like
- where was this? As in, was it an Underground station, Elizabeth or Overground, other ('National') railway, a station shared between the above, or were you using a bus?
- have you used the Freedom pass before?
- were you on a regular journey?

Once we know what allegations you are dealing with and who from, we may be in a better position to let you know what might happen.

 

[carrotsoup]

Welcome to the forum.

For us to give you helpful advice we probably need some more information, like
- where was this? As in, was it an Underground station, Elizabeth or Overground, other ('National') railway, a station shared between the above, or were you using a bus?
- have you used the Freedom pass before?
- were you on a regular journey?

Once we know what allegations you are dealing with and who from, we may be in a better position to let you know what might happen.

Thanks for replying.

It was a station shared between the circle line and Hammersmith and city line.

I’ve used it before, only since the start of this month, that being said I took a 2 weeks holiday and literally the day I got caught was my first day back. So overall I used it maybe 6-9 times.

It was a regular journey I take back and forth.

I’d like to add that they didn’t actually ask me for my information before I left, just to show them what card I used which I’d didn’t show and just said I used my phone. Thought I’d add that since I googled it’s illegal to not give information.

Thanks again for replying .

 

[MarlowDonkey]

I’ve used it before

A Freedom pass is issued to a named individual. Do we assume you are not that individual? The Channel 5 programme on fare dodgers suggests that when they want to investigate, they can follow a card round the system and cross correlate with CCTV to identify the user.

 

[Benjwri]

A Freedom pass is issued to a named individual. Do we assume you are not that individual? The Channel 5 programme on fare dodgers suggests that when they want to investigate, they can follow a card round the system and cross correlate with CCTV to identify the user.

Yes if they want to they will be able to see what card was tapped by you at the barrier. Presumably you have stopped using the pass? I would do so immediately if you haven’t. I also wouldn’t be too surprised if the real owner of the freedom pass gets contacted, or the pass revoked.

 

[johnny_t]

Hypothetically, was this the card of someone you know, or one that you found in the street ?

 

[carrotsoup]

Hypothetically, was this the card of someone you know, or one that you found in the street ?

Someone I know and was given to me

 

[Trainman40083]

If I recall. The barriers beep /flash a coloured light when a high value pass is tapped. If that is so, then they will know what you tapped in with....

For legal reasons, I was allegedly caught using someone else’s freedom pass. They shouted their way over to me where they continued to tell me that something beeped when I walked through the barrier. I told them I tapped my phone, where they obviously weren’t convinced. They then told me ‘show us the card and we’ll sort this out with just TFL, or we can get the police involved.’
So I just said ‘so you’re not the police? Okay’ and left the station.
They have no information on me or anything, they’ll obviously find me one way or another.
Any idea what they’ll do now? I’ve seen a lot of another’s allegedly doing the same but they gave over their information.
Any advice? Thanks

 

[carrotsoup]

A Freedom pass is issued to a named individual. Do we assume you are not that individual? The Channel 5 programme on fare dodgers suggests that when they want to investigate, they can follow a card round the system and cross correlate with CCTV to

A Freedom pass is issued to a named individual. Do we assume you are not that individual? The Channel 5 programme on fare dodgers suggests that when they want to investigate, they can follow a card round the system and cross correlate with CCTV to identify the user.

yes you can assume that. I watched that show like a year ago lol so I kinda know what to except when they find me, but what will they do overall?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Jun 2026 ==

Yes if they want to they will be able to see what card was tapped by you at the barrier. Presumably you have stopped using the pass? I would do so immediately if you haven’t. I also wouldn’t be too surprised if the real owner of the freedom pass gets contacted, or the pass revoked.

Yeah I don’t use it anymore nor do I use those stations, I take another train now

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Jun 2026 ==

If I recall. The barriers beep /flash a coloured light when a high value pass is tapped. If that is so, then they will know what you tapped in with....

That’s kinda what they was hinting at. But there and then, that was the only proof they had to go on, and I asked them for more proof which they couldn’t give me right there obviously. That’s why I walked off because they had nothing else to stand on

 

[AlterEgo]

A Freedom pass is issued to a named individual. Do we assume you are not that individual? The Channel 5 programme on fare dodgers suggests that when they want to investigate, they can follow a card round the system and cross correlate with CCTV to identify the user.

They have to know who the user is, and then sting them while using it, so this information is useless in retrospect where the OP has been caught and supposedly won't do it again. CCTV doesn't tell you who someone is.

 

[carrotsoup]

They have to know who the user is, and then sting them while using it, so this information is useless in retrospect where the OP has been caught and supposedly won't do it again. CCTV doesn't tell you who someone is.

So they can’t do anything to me now as long as they don’t catch me using it again?

 

[AlterEgo]

So they can’t do anything to me now as long as they don’t catch me using it again?

It's not impossible, but it is very unlikely they can do anything. They don't know who you are.

 

[6Gman]

It's not impossible, but it is very unlikely they can do anything. They don't know who you are.

Though, presumably, they may have questions for the cardholder?

 

[AlterEgo]

Though, presumably, they may have questions for the cardholder?

Doubtful. What would they hope to achieve?

 

[carrotsoup]

Though, presumably, they may have questions for the cardholder?

The card holder gave it to me to use since they literally have not used TFL in like their whole life lol. I’ve spoken to them and they said they’ll just say it was lost and no idea who could be using it.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

It is now out of your control whether TfL will follow this up. But you can minimise the risk of further trouble by making sure that you always pay the right fare at the right time before you travel.

 

[Acathater]

Someone I know and was given to me

Did it actually belong to them or just allegedly belong to them?