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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...
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.
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.
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?
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.
It may have had a bus and tram discount added, or it might have had a railcard discount added. Neither of those would affect the price paid for a normal travelcard. However, any discount or travelcard added to the card prevents its use by anyone other than the registered holder. This includes an Oyster card with a discount and a travelcard where the qualifying discount authority needs to be shown on request.
I think it's likely that the Oyster card simply had a Railcard discount applied which made it non-transferable, and it was such a Railcard that it was obvious it could not be the OP's (for example, a Senior Railcard).
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 ta
It may have had a bus and tram discount added, or it might have had a railcard discount added. Neither of those would affect the price paid for a normal travelcard. However, any discount or travelcard added to the card prevents its use by anyone other than the registered holder. This includes an Oyster card with a discount and a travelcard where the qualifying discount authority needs to be shown on request.
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