HELP: Can I be traced?

[NewbieHelp]

Hello everyone,

I am a new member in need of some advice.

Yesterday morning I purchased an adult 16-25 return ticket from a South West Trains station. My outward journey consisted of boarding one South West Trains train first, and one London Overground train second.

As I returned back on the London Overground yesterday afternoon, two Transport for London revenue inspectors boarded the train. Subsequently, one of the inspectors asked to see my ticket, which I handed to him. He noticed that it was a 16-25 ticket and asked to see my 16-25 card, which I did not have. I apologised and offered to pay for my journey on an adult ticket, which he wasn’t sure about. The two inspectors and I alighted at the next station to resolve the issue. I didn’t want to have to go through the process of having to resolve this at a later date, so he called someone via his mobile to ask if I could just pay for an adult ticket. Whoever he spoke to said no. I started to worry at this point, so tried to buy the adult ticket via a ticket machine. The inspector then stood in front of the machine and said I could not purchase a ticket. I was a bit shocked by his reaction and repeated that I did not want to have to resolve this at a later date. After a couple more minutes of our conversation going nowhere, I said to him I will gladly pay for an adult ticket to continue my journey or I will walk home (it was a non-barrier station). I ended up leaving the station and walking home.

I did not give the inspector any of my personal details, and left with him holding my return ticket from earlier. This is my first experience of this kind, and I don’t want to get into any trouble. My question is can they trace me via the return ticket? I paid for the ticket via card, and understand the ticket is printed with a serial number transaction.

This whole experience has been horrible, and any help would be welcome.

Thank you.

 

[bb21]

Yes, if they wanted to trace you they probably could. Whether they will be willing to invest the time and effort into tracing you down is a different question. You will have this worry hanging at the back of your head for the next few months.

You cannot simply pay the correct fare after fraudulently travelling with an invalid discounted ticket. There are consequences when caught doing something illegal, and yes, travel fraudulently is an offence. You were very lucky that you got away with it on the day, as you should have ended up with a Penalty Fare, or reported for prosecution as I get a tingling sense that you knew exactly what you were doing from the language you used and actions described.

Next time buy the correct ticket to start with. It is as simple as that.

 

[Greenback]

I'm afraid it just isn't possible to simply pay for the ticket you should have bought originally when you get caught. Otherwise, why would anyone buy the correct ticket when they could just take a chance, get a discount they aren't entitled to, and only have to pay the difference when or if they are challenged?

They can trace you, and if the whole experience has been horrible than I suggest you buy the right ticket in future and then you'll have nothing to worry about.