Gave wrong name and mums address

[hawkwood2412]

Hi.. I’ve ****ed up.

In March I was struggling with postpartum depression and desperate to see my mum who was not long out of hospital. I couldn’t afford a whole ticket so bought a rail card one. Full disclosure it’s the second time I’ve done this.

I got questioned, panicked and gave my mums address but a false name.

My mum has just received this letter. What’s the best course of action? I’m so worried this is going to go to court and affect my criminal record, credit etc.

Really appreciate any advice

 

[Trainman40083]

Presume your mother knows it was you..

 

[hawkwood2412]

Presume your mother knows it was you..

Yes she does..

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi.. I’ve ****ed up.

In March I was struggling with postpartum depression and desperate to see my mum who was not long out of hospital. I couldn’t afford a whole ticket so bought a rail card one. Full disclosure it’s the second time I’ve done this.

I got questioned, panicked and gave my mums address but a false name.

My mum has just received this letter. What’s the best course of action? I’m so worried this is going to go to court and affect my criminal record, credit etc.

Really appreciate any advice

This is sortable and you can probably avoid court. You’ll get advice here on how to reply to this which is key to avoiding being prosecuted.

They will be used to people giving the wrong name so you should just correct that and apologise in your reply.

See some other threads to get the idea of what to do but check things here before you reply.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jul 2025 ==

See this thread for ideas albeit a different train company

Traveled Without railcard and I've been issued a letter By Northern Train

Urgent help Please I know I've made a mistake and I'm willing to correct, I've learnt from it too. Please guys I traveled to York from Leeds without railcard on Northern Train(Friday 30 May 2025) (I used the Student Railcard option) I'm a student and since after the incident I have gotten my...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[30907]

Was the letter addressed to a name which reads/sounds like yours?

Mum has opened it, which is awkward. Pragmatically, she could write back saying that she opened it by mistake (true?) and no-one of that name lives at that address (also true?).

Provided you don't cheat the railway again, that would put an end to it. Leaving you with a guilty conscience of course.

However, if your ticket was confiscated/scanned they may still be able to trace you via the app or card you used, so this is a slight risk and I suspect you might not want to take it.
So you could, alternatively, write to SW (get ideas from Hadders' regularly-posted advice, and adapt it to your situation) and ask them to consider an out-of-court settlement.
As Western Lancer says, this is sortable - they will 99% certaily agree if you pay the full fare avoided plus admin costs of £100+.

What do others think?

 

[furlong]

Was the letter addressed to a name which reads/sounds like yours?

Mum has opened it, which is awkward. Pragmatically, she could write back saying that she opened it by mistake (true?) and no-one of that name lives at that address (also true?).

Provided you don't cheat the railway again, that would put an end to it. Leaving you with a guilty conscience of course.

What do others think?

Sorry, but that's rotten advice, which could put the mum at risk of prosecution too.
You cannot undo what has been done.

 

[Hadders]

Was the letter addressed to a name which reads/sounds like yours?

Mum has opened it, which is awkward. Pragmatically, she could write back saying that she opened it by mistake (true?) and no-one of that name lives at that address (also true?).

Provided you don't cheat the railway again, that would put an end to it. Leaving you with a guilty conscience of course.

I would not do this.

The most straightforward way is to reply to it, but also explain that you gave an incorrect name. If you do this then I expect SWR will offer you an out of court settlement.

If you post a draft reply in this thread forum members will oroof read it for you.

 

[30907]

Sorry, but that's rotten advice, which could put the mum at risk of prosecution too.

I agree it's not honest, but what exact offence would mum have committed?

 

[hawkwood2412]

Was the letter addressed to a name which reads/sounds like yours?

Mum has opened it, which is awkward. Pragmatically, she could write back saying that she opened it by mistake (true?) and no-one of that name lives at that address (also true?).

Provided you don't cheat the railway again, that would put an end to it. Leaving you with a guilty conscience of course.

However, if your ticket was confiscated/scanned they may still be able to trace you via the app or card you used, so this is a slight risk and I suspect you might not want to take it.
So you could, alternatively, write to SW (get ideas from Hadders' regularly-posted advice, and adapt it to your situation) and ask them to consider an out-of-court settlement.
As Western Lancer says, this is sortable - they will 99% certaily agree if you pay the full fare avoided plus admin costs of £100+.

What do others think?

It was a completely different name. To be honest it did cross my mind but 1. I don’t want to get my mum in trouble and 2. I’m scared of making things worse.

Thanks for the advice, I’m feeling much better now and hoping this can be sorted

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jul 2025 ==

This is sortable and you can probably avoid court. You’ll get advice here on how to reply to this which is key to avoiding being prosecuted.

They will be used to people giving the wrong name so you should just correct that and apologise in your reply.

See some other threads to get the idea of what to do but check things here before you reply.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jul 2025 ==

See this thread for ideas albeit a different train company

Traveled Without railcard and I've been issued a letter By Northern Train

Urgent help Please I know I've made a mistake and I'm willing to correct, I've learnt from it too. Please guys I traveled to York from Leeds without railcard on Northern Train(Friday 30 May 2025) (I used the Student Railcard option) I'm a student and since after the incident I have gotten my...

www.railforums.co.uk

Thank you, will have a look at some other threads

 

[hawkwood2412]

I would not do this.

The most straightforward way is to reply to it, but also explain that you gave an incorrect name. If you do this then I expect SWR will offer you an out of court settlement.

If you post a draft reply in this thread forum members will oroof read it for you.

Thank you, I’ll write a draft and post later

 

[furlong]

I agree it's not honest,

Go and read about 'Perverting the Course of Justice'.

The letter from the investigator has already found its way to its intended recipient and the evidence that this has happened is already in the public domain. To pretend otherwise would be asking for trouble and the consequences of a failed cover-up can be worse than those of the original offence.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jul 2025 ==

To be quite clear, train companies are very familiar with being given incorrect details, but as long as they get corrected at the first opportunity there are rarely any additional consequences: the focus is on resolving the substantive matter of the alleged ticketing offence and subsidiary matters that have no material impact on that are generally disregarded.

 

[WesternLancer]

Sorry, but that's rotten advice, which could put the mum at risk of prosecution too.
You cannot undo what has been done.

Or some prospect of bailiffs turning up on mums doorstep possibly.

 

[30907]

Go and read about 'Perverting the Course of Justice'.

The letter from the investigator has already found its way to its intended recipient and the evidence that this has happened is already in the public domain.

Stretching a point, surely - a letter to an unknown person at an unspecified address is in the public domain. I suppose if it were the only letter sent that day it could be identified.

Or some prospect of bailiffs turning up on mums doorstep possibly.

Slightly more plausible.

Anyway, as the rest of my original post said, there is an honest alternative which avoids the risks (and which the OP confirms they have decided on)

 

[hawkwood2412]

Subject: Response to Letter Ref:


Dear South Western Railway Prosecutions Department,


I am writing in response to your letter dated 8 July 2025, reference


I would like to sincerely apologise for the incident that occurred on 22 March 2025. At the time, I travelled without a valid ticket. I was struggling with postpartum depression and under significant emotional and financial pressure while trying to visit my unwell mum. When questioned, I panicked and gave false details. I regret this deeply.


The address I gave at the time was my mother’s, which I now acknowledge was wrong. I am including my correct contact details below.


This was an isolated incident and I take full responsibility. I understand the seriousness of my actions and the importance of fare compliance. I assure you this will not happen again.


I would be very grateful if you would consider allowing me to settle this matter without court proceedings. I am willing to pay the fare and any reasonable administrative costs. Please let me know how best to resolve this.


Thank you for your time and consideration.


Yours sincerely,

 

[notmyrealname]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Could you show us a redacted copy of the letter from SWR please? It will help the pros to advise you.

 

[hawkwood2412]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Could you show us a redacted copy of the letter from SWR please? It will help the pros to advise you.

Thanks, attached is original letter

 

[jfollows]

I would suggest removing “reasonable” simply because it implies you have a say in the matter, which you really don’t. Ultimately you can choose to pay what they ask for or go to court anyway.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jul 2025 ==

Also, are you eligible for a railcard, if so and you buy one you should mention this in your letter, because it shows you’re less likely to repeat your error in future.

 

[hawkwood2412]

I would suggest removing “reasonable” simply because it implies you have a say in the matter, which you really don’t. Ultimately you can choose to pay what they ask for or go to court anyway.

Thank you, will do

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jul 2025 ==

Does anyone have any more feedback? I need to send this off today - stupid anxiety made me procrastinate! Would really appreciate any advice. Thank you!

 

[hawkwood2412]

I would suggest removing “reasonable” simply because it implies you have a say in the matter, which you really don’t. Ultimately you can choose to pay what they ask for or go to court anyway.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jul 2025 ==

Also, are you eligible for a railcard, if so and you buy one you should mention this in your letter, because it shows you’re less likely to repeat your error in future.

I'm not unfortunately

 

[furlong]

I'd cut the bits about false details etc. The letter reached you OK so it really doesn't matter. You just need to give them the new address you want them to use for correspondence and correct the name if it's wrong. If the name is completely different rather than just similar, then you'll need to say something like "I gave my name as..." and it's possible they'll ask for evidence of your correct name.