Altered Railcard - Request for Interview

[TiKOn]

Hi everyone,

I received a TIR in March for having an altered railcard - I know this was a stupid idea on my behalf.

I replied to them with an email saying I take all responsibility for my actions, I apologise and that I would wish to settle and pay any admin fees etc.

Today I received a follow up email saying the following:



I have evidence that I had a railcard previously (26/10/23-25/10/24 & 28/10/24-27/10/25). I also had a railcard prior to these dates but can't find the receipt for that one. I purchased a new railcard immediately after the incident and attached evidence for that to my original email.
Could someone please advise on how I should respond, and whether I should hire a solicitor to help me with this, and if so do you have any recommended companies that specialise in this area. Does anyone know what I should expect from this point on?

Many thanks

 

[gray1404]

You probably need to send a similar email to what you've sent previously. It sounds like you sent the first email of your own accord rather than waiting to hear from them first. If you could post the text that you sent them we can amend it accordingly.

 

[TiKOn]

You probably need to send a similar email to what you've sent previously. It sounds like you sent the first email of your own accord rather than waiting to hear from them first. If you could post the text that you sent them we can amend it accordingly.

I received the attached letter requesting an explanation, to which I replied;

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing in response to the letter regarding the incident on 31st March 2026.

I would like to sincerely apologise for my actions. I fully accept responsibility for my lapse in judgement and I am eager to cooperate with Northern Rail to resolve this matter.

I can assure you that I will never make the mistake of travelling without valid ticketing documentation again. Immediately following the incident I purchased a valid railcard, and have attached proof of purchase. While I understand that this in no way excuses my actions, I hope that it shows my intention to ensure full compliance for any future travel.

I would be very grateful if you would consider allowing me to resolve this matter without court proceedings. I am more than willing to pay the full outstanding fare, as well as any administrative costs incurred.

I would like to extend my apology to the Northern Rail staff whose time has been spent dealing with this case.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my response. I hope this matter can be resolved amicably.

 

[Haywain]

We would not recommend attending an interview a it is easy to say something in such a setting which is detrimental to you. You will therefore need to respond by email. However, the suggestion in your previous response that it was a mistake isn't helping you. As it seems that there are a significant number of instances of potential fae evasion being investigated, it would probably be best to ask that they provide you with a list of those so that you can consider them and clarify which were made without a railcard. I would also provide evidence of the railcards you held, and offer your cooperation. If you draft such an email, we can help with fine-tuning before you send it.

 

[TiKOn]

We would not recommend attending an interview a it is easy to say something in such a setting which is detrimental to you. You will therefore need to respond by email. However, the suggestion in your previous response that it was a mistake isn't helping you. As it seems that there are a significant number of instances of potential fae evasion being investigated, it would probably be best to ask that they provide you with a list of those so that you can consider them and clarify which were made without a railcard. I would also provide evidence of the railcards you held, and offer your cooperation. If you draft such an email, we can help with fine-tuning before you send it.

Agreed that 'mistake' is the wrong term - in the email I sent to them I referred to it as a 'lapse of judgement'.

As for an initial draft response:

"Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for allowing me the chance to respond.

Could you please provide the list of journeys that are under investigation in order to clarify the dates involved.

I have attached proof of purchase for previous railcards valid within the mentioned timeframe.
I am eager to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and am hopeful for an amicable outcome

Kind regards..."

As I mentioned in my original post, I also had a railcard for the time period at the start of their investigation but annoyingly I can't find any receipts - would it be worth mentioning this one without any evidence of it?

Should I again ask for them to consider settlement for this case?
Thanks

 

[Haywain]

As I mentioned in my original post, I also had a railcard for the time period at the start of their investigation but annoyingly I can't find any receipts - would it be worth mentioning this one without any evidence of it?

It's worth telling the you held a railcard, especially if you know the dates for which it was valid. If you bought it online it may still be possible to see details of it.

Should I again ask for them to consider settlement for this case?

Not at this stage, as they will want to see how you respond to their list of journeys. I think the wording you have used for the draft email does that in a gentle way anyway, and is enough at the moment.

 

[TiKOn]

It's worth telling the you held a railcard, especially if you know the dates for which it was valid. If you bought it online it may still be possible to see details of it.

Not at this stage, as they will want to see how you respond to their list of journeys. I think the wording you have used for the draft email does that in a gentle way anyway, and is enough at the moment.

Just following up - I have now found the email receipts for two more previous railcards too, so I have the evidence for a total of 4 valid railcard receipts within their investigation window. This covers the start date of the dispute (13/02/22)

 

[MarlowDonkey]

Just following up - I have now found the email receipts for two more previous railcards too, so I have the evidence for a total of 4 valid railcard receipts within their investigation window. This covers the start date of the dispute (13/02/22)

Another point that you could mention is that if you had a valid railcard at all times since 2022 until you didn't, you would presumably have passed several ticket inspections during that period.

 

[Haywain]

Another point that you could mention is that if you had a valid railcard at all times since 2022 until you didn't, you would presumably have passed several ticket inspections during that period.

I do not think that would be helpful. The OP is offering to cooperate, and saying something that can look like shifting the blame is not conducive to that.

 

[TiKOn]

"Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for allowing me the chance to respond.

Could you please provide the list of journeys that are under investigation in order to clarify the dates involved.

I have attached proof of purchase for previous railcards valid within the mentioned timeframe.
I am eager to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and am hopeful for an amicable outcome

Kind regards..."

Is there anything else anyone would recommend me adding to this before I send this reply?

 

[WesternLancer]

Is there anything else anyone would recommend me adding to this before I send this reply?

I would consider adding something like the bit I have put in bold for your ease of reference (ie something that picks up their point in their original letter to you)
and insert their ref number / case ref assuming there is one


Dear Sir/Madam,

Your ref:

Thank you for allowing me the chance to respond.

Could you please provide the list of journeys that are under investigation in order to clarify the dates involved.

This will help me check my own travel records in order to see if there is any relevant explanations or evidence that I can provide as per the request in your earlier letter

I have attached proof of purchase for previous railcards valid within the mentioned timeframe.
I am eager to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and am hopeful for an amicable outcome

Kind regards..."

 

[TiKOn]

After sending them evidence of previous railcards, I have received the following email

"Thank you for your email and for providing the requested evidence.

Following our investigation and a review of the additional evidence, we have identified 89 occasions on which discounted tickets were purchased using a 16-25 Railcard discount after the Railcard had expired. Details of these transactions are attached for your reference.

Please review the attached information and let us know if you believe any of the details are incorrect."

Many of these were purchased unintentionally - I hadn't realised it had expired, I then altered a previous railcard once I saw it had expired (months later) as I hadn't been having my railcard checked and I was trying to save money. Does this make any difference in their eyes? How should I respond to this email?

What are the chances of Northern Rail allowing me to settle this matter out of court?

Thanks

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@TiKOn. What were the typical journey(s) you've been making using all the various moody / inappropriately discounted tickets?

 

[TiKOn]

@TiKOn. What were the typical journey(s) you've been making using all the various moody / inappropriately discounted tickets?

They were pretty much all with between Liverpool and Wigan or Liverpool and Rainhill

 

[WesternLancer]

After sending them evidence of previous railcards, I have received the following email

"Thank you for your email and for providing the requested evidence.

Following our investigation and a review of the additional evidence, we have identified 89 occasions on which discounted tickets were purchased using a 16-25 Railcard discount after the Railcard had expired. Details of these transactions are attached for your reference.

Please review the attached information and let us know if you believe any of the details are incorrect."

Many of these were purchased unintentionally" - I hadn't realised it had expired,

When you say "unintentionally" - do you mean you bought tickets that you then had no reason to use?
or (as I suspect you mean) - do you mean you bought tickets and unintentionally applied a discount for a railcard that you no longer had a valid version of? I don't think they will care this was unintentional - they still want paying for the sum involved

If you agree you bought them and used them then they will want paying for them - it does not make much difference to Northern how it came about.

I then altered a previous railcard once I saw it had expired (months later)

IE you then tried to alter / forge a Railcard to cover things up? In the hope they would not notice - but this came unstuck when they noticed. Would have been better for you to buy a legit railcard at that point if you could have done - but it's water under the bridge now.

as I hadn't been having my railcard checked and I was trying to save money. Does this make any difference in their eyes? How should I respond to this email?

Probably by saying, if this is correct 'I regret that I bought these tickets when I did not have a valid Railcard' along with an offer to pay them what is owed to resolve the matter, and a suitable apology designed to convince them that you have learned a lesson and that this will certainly not happen again

Draft something up and post it here for checking before sending it to them

What are the chances of Northern Rail allowing me to settle this matter out of court?

Still fairly reasonable i suspect

 

[Mcr Warrior]

They were pretty much all with between Liverpool and Wigan or Liverpool and Rainhill

Then you'd likely be looking at multiples of £9.30 (= Anytime Day Single fare between Liverpool and Wigan) or £5.20 (= Anytime Day Single fare between Liverpool and Rainhill). Plus a low three figure admin fee added on top. Let you do the maths! Unlikely to be any credit given for what's already been paid / underpaid.

 

[TiKOn]

When you say "unintentionally" - do you mean you bought tickets that you then had no reason to use?
or (as I suspect you mean) - do you mean you bought tickets and unintentionally applied a discount for a railcard that you no longer had a valid version of? I don't think they will care this was unintentional - they still want paying for the sum involved

Yeah, I bought them not realising my railcard had expired

IE you then tried to alter / forge a Railcard to cover things up? In the hope they would not notice - but this came unstuck when they noticed. Would have been better for you to buy a legit railcard at that point if you could have done - but it's water under the bridge now.

Yes, I then altered a railcard as all previous checks of a railcard when I held one were just a quick glance - I know this was a stupid idea and I wish I could go back and purchase a legit railcard instead

Probably by saying, if this is correct 'I regret that I bought these tickets when I did not have a valid Railcard' along with an offer to pay them what is owed to resolve the matter, and a suitable apology designed to convince them that you have learned a lesson and that this will certainly not happen again

Draft something up and post it here for checking before sending it to them

I suspect this will take some amending;

Dear [Northern Rail employee whose name was on the previous email],

I sincerely regret purchasing these tickets without a valid railcard. It is an action that I wish could be undone, and I am more than willing to reimburse Northern Rail with the full fare costs as well as any administrative costs that have been incurred due to this process.

I hope that my history of railcard purchases, as well as my current valid railcard shows that I have the full intention of ensuring valid ticketing documentation for all future travel. The anxiety I have felt as a result of my actions has certainly been a lesson learned.

I'd once again like to take this chance to apologise to you and your colleagues for the time and inconvenience of dealing with this matter.

Kind regards...

 

[WesternLancer]

Yeah, I bought them not realising my railcard had expired

Yes, I then altered a railcard as all previous checks of a railcard when I held one were just a quick glance - I know this was a stupid idea and I wish I could go back and purchase a legit railcard instead

I suspect this will take some amending;

Dear [Northern Rail employee whose name was on the previous email],

I sincerely regret purchasing these tickets without a valid railcard. It is an action that I wish could be undone, and I am more than willing to reimburse Northern Rail with the full fare costs as well as any administrative costs that have been incurred due to this process.

I hope that my history of railcard purchases, as well as my current valid railcard shows that I have the full intention of ensuring valid ticketing documentation for all future travel. The anxiety I have felt as a result of my actions has certainly been a lesson learned.

I'd once again like to take this chance to apologise to you and your colleagues for the time and inconvenience of dealing with this matter.

Kind regards...

I can suggest some modifications later today for you
The essential outline of your draft looks generally ok however.

 

[SouthernOne]

Then you'd likely be looking at multiples of £9.30 (= Anytime Day Single fare between Liverpool and Wigan) or £5.20 (= Anytime Day Single fare between Liverpool and Rainhill). Plus a low three figure admin fee added on top. Let you do the maths! Unlikely to be any credit given for what's already been paid / underpaid.

It seems that most DFTO operators on now charging for the difference lost and not the whole ticket price. If the whole ticket needs to be charged for, then it’s the price of ticket applicable at that time of day.

 

[WesternLancer]

It seems that most DFTO operators on now charging for the difference lost and not the whole ticket price. If the whole ticket needs to be charged for, then it’s the price of ticket applicable at that time of day.

I suspect we need to be mindful that this involves a forged Railcard case - so it's poss usual expectations might not apply and thus the OP may need to prepare for a higher cost - best to have that money available - if less is asked for then that's a plus.


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Aug 2026 ==


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Dear [Northern Rail employee whose name was on the previous email],

I sincerely regret purchasing these tickets without a valid railcard. It is an action that I wish could be undone, and I am more than willing to reimburse Northern Rail with the full fare costs as well as any administrative costs that have been incurred due to this process.

I hope that my history of railcard purchases, as well as my current valid railcard shows that I have the full intention of ensuring valid ticketing documentation for all future travel. The anxiety I have felt as a result of my actions has certainly been a lesson learned.

I'd once again like to take this chance to apologise to you and your colleagues for the time and inconvenience of dealing with this matter.

Kind regards...

Hi @TiKOn - just suggesting some changes to your draft here - hope they are clear

You need to check that they are accurate and truthful, and that you are of courser happy with the suggestions


Dear [Northern Rail employee whose name was on the previous email],

Your Ref: [insert their ref number from anything they have sent you if there is one]

Thank you for your message detailing 89 journeys taken without a valid railcard.

I sincerely regret purchasing these tickets without a valid railcard, which was a significant error of judgement on my part for which I apologise. Please be assured this will not happen again. The anxiety I have felt as a result of my actions has certainly been a lesson learned.

. It is an action that I wish could be undone, and I am more than willing to reimburse Northern Rail with the full fare costs as well as any administrative costs that have been incurred due to this process, in order to resolve this matter. I would be extremely grateful if you would allow me the chance to do that.

I hope that my previous history of railcard purchases, as well as my current valid railcard, Serial Number xxxxxx [insert your new Railcard serial number to evidence it] shows that I have the full intention of ensuring I have a valid ticket valid ticketing documentation for all future travel.

I'd once again like to take this chance to apologise to you and your colleagues for the time and inconvenience of dealing with this matter, but hope that I can resolve it promptly by paying for any fares that I owe.

Kind regards...
Yours sincerely

 

[TiKOn]

I have received the following email offering settlement;

"Further to our earlier correspondence regarding the purchase of tickets using invalid 16-25 discounts and having considered your apology and willingness to cooperate fully with our investigation, we have decided, on this occasion, to take the exceptionally lenient step of offering you the opportunity to settle this matter by repaying to Northern Trains Limited the outstanding fare difference of £212.35. On this occasion, we have not included any administrative or investigation costs associated with this review.

We will continue to monitor your account to ensure that no further travel irregularities occur.

Should you wish to accept this offer, we will issue a settlement letter containing payment instructions. Upon receipt of payment, this matter will be considered fully resolved, and no further action will be taken."

This is the brief response I have drafted, not sure if there will be any amendments anyone recommends - seems like I just need to acknowledge the email and agree to pay

"Dear Mr ####,

Thank you very much for giving me the chance to settle this matter.

I am happy to accept this offer and will send over the payment ASAP once the letter is received.
Yours sincerely..."

Thanks everyone for your help, really appreciate everything.

Hopefully I won't need any more advice from here in future

 

[1D54]

That's what i call a result!!

 

[_toommm_]

Dear Mr ####,

Thank you very much for giving me the chance to settle this matter.

I am happy to accept this offer and will send over the payment ASAP once the letter is received.
Yours sincerely..."

Thanks everyone for your help, really appreciate everything.

Hopefully I won't need any more advice from here in future

Personally I'd add something along the lines of 'As previously mentioned, I will now of course make sure to check my railcard before travelling, and I have took the proactive step to add a reminder on my phone to renew my railcard before its expiry' after '...once the letter is received', just as a final thing to them to reassure them.

And if you haven't already, I would put that reminder in your phone to renew it before it expires, as you may not receive any communication in the future that it is about to expire/is expired.

 

[HOMELESS]

A good result I'd say!!!

 

[Fawkes Cat]

It seems that most DFTO operators on now charging for the difference lost and not the whole ticket price.

the opportunity to settle this matter by repaying to Northern Trains Limited the outstanding fare difference of £212.35

As noted as a possibility by @SouthernOne, it's interesting that the settlement is for the difference in fares rather than the whole ticket price.

 

[WesternLancer]

Personally I'd add something along the lines of 'As previously mentioned, I will now of course make sure to check my railcard before travelling, and I have took the proactive step to add a reminder on my phone to renew my railcard before its expiry' after '...once the letter is received', just as a final thing to them to reassure them.

And if you haven't already, I would put that reminder in your phone to renew it before it expires, as you may not receive any communication in the future that it is about to expire/is expired.

good advice

and to the OP - yes a good result - keep all the paperwork associated with this and your proof of payment when you pay and keep it all long term - ie over a year, in the unlikely event you ever need it again