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I have recently been using an Oyster card I found, to purchase weekly travel cards. Yesterday I was stopped by a southern train inspector who revealed to me that it is fare evasion to use someone else’s card regardless of if iam buying travel cards on it. He also revealed to me that it is a registered card and a photo must be presented with it.
Despite me explaining that I simply found it and started using it. He took my details and then told me I will get a letter in the post from investigators.
I am worried about getting a criminal record for this. He didn’t take the card or issue any papers.
Can some please give advice?
You can only transfer a PAYG Oyster Card. One that is used for period tickets, travel cards etc can only be used by the person who it was issued to. The RPI was correct. I can't comment on the action the RPI did or didn't take.
You can only transfer a PAYG Oyster Card. One that is used for period tickets, travel cards etc can only be used by the person who it was issued to. The RPI was correct. I can't comment on the action the RPI did or didn't take.
How did the RPI know it was someone else's card? Did you just volunteer the information?
Why were you even stopped?
Only certain types of 'registered' cards need to have a photo but they come with a photo embedded (eg student ZIP, TFL staff or OAP freedom type pass). Anyone can register any number of Oyster cards or other payment card without needing their photo.
TfL staff doesn’t have a photo embedded within, but does make it clear it requires the accompanying photo card. However I’m not sure what the reference to buying a ticket on it would be in this case.
It would be good for the OP to tell us where they were buying the weekly travelcard, and if it was the normal price when they did.
I have recently been using an Oyster card I found, to purchase weekly travel cards. Yesterday I was stopped by a southern train inspector who revealed to me that it is fare evasion to use someone else’s card regardless of if iam buying travel cards on it. He also revealed to me that it is a registered card and a photo must be presented with it.
Despite me explaining that I simply found it and started using it. He took my details and then told me I will get a letter in the post from investigators.
I am worried about getting a criminal record for this. He didn’t take the card or issue any papers.
Can some please give advice?
It's fortunate that Southern staff have found this out. Assume they will report you for investigation and write to you in due course. Southern are more likely to be open to persuasion to settle the matter out of court
Were it TfL that intercepted you their default position would seem to be court prosecution in a lot of cases involving mis use of cards.
However, it may be that TfL become involved as Southern may opt to investigate the card's previous use to look for misuse history - and to do that I would imagine they need to contact TfL to do so.
I think that it would be helpful to give more info as others have asked so as to get you the best advice that will help you know what to expect to happen next
Have a look at this post requesting info for background
Guidance for those asking for advice: Please bear in mind the following, when asking for advice in this section: We need to know all relevant facts in order to assist you, including, for example: The stations* where you actually started & finished your journey The stations* where you changed...
You should get on Telegram. Loads of stolen ones are sold on there. I've been forcibly added to two groups in the last year and both were selling stolen Oyster cards and the like.
There is a process and it's actually really annoying - I lose my card every now and then (usually once or twice a year.) When reporting it lost/stolen/damaged you are given two options: a) post a new card (take 5-7 business days) b) transfer products to an existing card. I my need my card every day so waiting 5-7 days for a new one is particularly pointless and I imagine that's much the same for rather a lot of commuters. Even if you manage to find somewhere to buy a new Oyster card the day of the loss, you can't transfer the products until the card has been registered and you can't register it until it's been used! Then it will not register on the system until the next day. So you end up having to pay for at least one day's travel - which you can then claim back but only on a couple of occasions per year. The last time this happened to me I was on the phone to TFL for over three quarters of an hour being passed around and back trying to get a refund
Anyway that's by-the-by. The OP needs to tell us why they were even stopped, because having a legitimate ticket on the Oyster should not lead to any kind of questioning from an RPI, surely?
The card doesn’t have any names or photos. It is a regular Oyster card. I bought weekly travel cards on it covering the zone I travel daily. The RPI said his hand held machine detects the card is linked to a photo card and used for discounted fares. I was told the fact that I bought my travel card on the card is irrelevant.
The card doesn’t have any names or photos. It is a regular Oyster card. I bought weekly travel cards on it covering the zone I travel daily. The RPI said his hand held machine detects the card is linked to a photo card and used for discounted fares. I was told the fact that I bought my travel card on the card is irrelevant.
The card doesn’t have any names or photos. It is a regular Oyster card. I bought weekly travel cards on it covering the zone I travel daily. The RPI said his hand held machine detects the card is linked to a photo card and used for discounted fares. I was told the fact that I bought my travel card on the card is irrelevant.
I didn’t notice anything. I bought travel cards on it at full price.. no discounts. As far as I know. If I knew what the RPI said before hand I wouldn’t touch the card in the first place.
Loads of stolen ones are sold on there. I've been forcibly added to two groups in the last year and both were selling stolen Oyster cards and the like.
How did the RPI know it was someone else's card? Did you just volunteer the information?
Why were you even stopped?
Only certain types of 'registered' cards need to have a photo but they come with a photo embedded (eg student ZIP, TFL staff or OAP freedom type pass). Anyone can register any number of Oyster cards or other payment card without needing their photo.
Sorry I should’ve mentioned that the inspector came into the train I was travelling on. A routine check with a hand held machine. He asked where I got the card from and if I have the photo that goes with it. That’s when I said I found it and I don’t know who it belongs to.
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Sorry I should’ve mentioned that the inspector came into the train I was travelling on. A routine check with a hand held machine. He asked where I got the card from and if I have the photo that goes with it. That’s when I said I found it and I don’t know who it belongs to.
You should get on Telegram. Loads of stolen ones are sold on there. I've been forcibly added to two groups in the last year and both were selling stolen Oyster cards and the like.
Sorry I should’ve mentioned that the inspector came into the train I was travelling on. A routine check with a hand held machine. He asked where I got the card from and if I have the photo that goes with it. That’s when I said I found it and I don’t know who it belongs to.
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The card does show
The pass does my weekly travel payment.
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Thanks for you for the advice but I am not looking for stolen cards. If picking up a card and using it is a big deal why would I want a stolen one?
It wasn't serious advice and I wasn't talking to you. But, if you pick up someone else's registered Oyster card and use it, you have stolen it. That's what theft is! You can get an Oyster card from the station, there is no need to pick up ones you find on the floor.
You will have to wait and see how the train company respond. Thankfully you weren't caught by TfL, as they would just prosecute you. You may be able to dispose of this by way of paying any fares due plus an administration fee. When the train company write to you then post the letter on here so we can advise how to respond.
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