Expecting fraud letter

[jellybean1290]

Hi all,

I made a rather stupid mistake yesterday when returning from St pancras station to home. I had bought a return ticket the day before at a specified time but was wanting to come home earlier than expected and hence wanted to board an earlier train. Stupidly I tried to claim that my ticket was for an earlier time by editing it. Obviously this was clocked when trying to scan it to get through the barrier. This was such a stupid mistake and the woman working told me that I have essentially committed fraud and will be receiving a letter though the post. I didn’t give her any of my details but she had scanned my ticket and had a picture of it. She told me I needed to have an interview with her but I told her I would just make a different way home as I did not want to escalate the situation. This is when she told me to expect a letter home. I bought the correct ticket time afterwards and then boarded the train I am freaking out as I tried to edit the ticket, committing fraud and I am scared I will be taken to court. I have emailed the fraud time at East Midlands railway to explain my stupid mistake and given proof of me buying a new ticket, having a valid railcard and that this will never happen again. I am so scared it’s all I can think about. Any advice or reassurance would be appreciated.

 

[John R]

It wasn’t wise to email them before you get a letter, but what is done is done.

It’s very unlikely you will be charged with fraud. What is interesting though is that you were stopped before going through the barrier, so didn’t actually travel with the fraudulent ticket. So I’m not sure what other offence you could be charged with.

We usually see an offer of an out of court settlement if you are apologetic and promise not to do it again when they write to you. You should now wait until you get their letter, and then come back here for more advice.

 

[Haywain]

What is interesting though is that you were stopped before going through the barrier,

I would suggest the OP was stopped on attempting to use the barrier, not before doing so.

 

[furlong]

so didn’t actually travel with the fraudulent ticket. So I’m not sure what other offence you could be charged with.

Normal one for this would be RORA 5(3)(a)

(3) If any person—
(a) Travels or attempts to travel on a railway without having previously paid his fare, and with intent to avoid payment thereof;

attempts to travel: approaching barrier, showing ticket etc.
not previously paid (correct) fare (due): simple fact
intent to avoid: presenting forged ticket enough on its own (but also under the "strict liability for fraud" case law)

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi all,

I made a rather stupid mistake yesterday when returning from St pancras station to home. I had bought a return ticket the day before at a specified time but was wanting to come home earlier than expected and hence wanted to board an earlier train. Stupidly I tried to claim that my ticket was for an earlier time by editing it. Obviously this was clocked when trying to scan it to get through the barrier. This was such a stupid mistake and the woman working told me that I have essentially committed fraud and will be receiving a letter though the post. I didn’t give her any of my details but she had scanned my ticket and had a picture of it. She told me I needed to have an interview with her but I told her I would just make a different way home as I did not want to escalate the situation. This is when she told me to expect a letter home. I bought the correct ticket time afterwards and then boarded the train I am freaking out as I tried to edit the ticket, committing fraud and I am scared I will be taken to court. I have emailed the fraud time at East Midlands railway to explain my stupid mistake and given proof of me buying a new ticket, having a valid railcard and that this will never happen again. I am so scared it’s all I can think about. Any advice or reassurance would be appreciated.

I would suggest you now need to sit tight and see what letter you get from them either about this or in response to what you have already sent them.

When you get that do not reply to it before seeking advice from here on exactly what to say.

Then take it from there.

Editing the ticket was unwise. Better to have got on the train with the wrong ticket. But what’s done is done.

For future reference some guards will let you on the wrong train if you have a friendly word with them before you board especially if they know their train isn’t likely to be that busy but it does depend on factors like that.

 

[gray1404]

Come back onto the forum once you receive a letter or email from them and post a copy of the latter would personal details retracted. It was also be helpful at that point to know what you said to them by email already. Do not respond to them until you have come here first.

 

[jellybean1290]

Normal one for this would be RORA 5(3)(a)


attempts to travel: approaching barrier, showing ticket etc.
not previously paid (correct) fare (due): simple fact
intent to avoid: presenting forged ticket enough on its own (but also under the "strict liability for fraud" case law)

should i be expecting a fine? i’m terrified od ending up in court

 

[Titfield]

should i be expecting a fine? i’m terrified od ending up in court

A fine can only be imposed by a court upon being convicted of a crime.

What is more likely is that after your response the rail operator will offer you an out of court settlement comprising the fare avoided (not paid) and an administration fee.

The fare will be the full anytime single for the journey. The admin fee can be in the range £100 - £200.

They may accept the fare you have paid already. They may decide not to.

Do try not to worry as Matters such as this can normally be resolved providing you engage, are honest and contrite and pay the settlement due if offered.

 

[jellybean1290]

A fine can only be imposed by a court upon being convicted of a crime.

What is more likely is that after your response the rail operator will offer you an out of court settlement comprising the fare avoided (not paid) and an administration fee.

The fare will be the full anytime single for the journey. The admin fee can be in the range £100 - £200.

They may accept the fare you have paid already. They may decide not to.

Do try not to worry as Matters such as this can normally be resolved providing you engage, are honest and contrite and pay the settlement due if offered.

Okay thank you for this, I am indeed worrying a lot!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Sep 2025 ==

I would suggest the OP was stopped on attempting to use the barrier, not before doing so.

Yes, she asked if I had any ID on me to which I did not. She then asked if I had a railcard and I said yes (she didn’t ask to see it) she also didn’t even ask my name or address. She did scan my ticket however so I assume got my name from that??

 

[furlong]

With EMR, you really just need to be patient. You might have heard nothing more about it or just received a warning letter.

As you've now reminded them, there's no fare to pay. So if they prosecuted, it would not be to get money from you but to perform a public duty (incl. to deter others) and this could easily end up as a net cost to them. With limited staff and limited budget and no interview I doubt a case like this would be a high priority.

 

[WesternLancer]

Okay thank you for this, I am indeed worrying a lot!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Sep 2025 ==


Yes, she asked if I had any ID on me to which I did not. She then asked if I had a railcard and I said yes (she didn’t ask to see it) she also didn’t even ask my name or address. She did scan my ticket however so I assume got my name from that??

So they may get your postal or e mail address from the scan of the ticket. You need to watch out for hard copy post or email or spam linked to whatever account that ticket was bought via or potentially perhaps any bank card linked to the ticket purchase process.