I need help with fare evasion case

[framedgunner]

On February 2026 I was stopped on TfL London overground and asked to show oyster. But I had my partners freedom pass as we share the same little black wallet. Sometimes she uses it and sometimes I use it with my oyster. I forgot she used it the previous day. I was in a rush and picked it up. I realised I had her freedom pass when I tapped into the overground but was just n a rush for work. I panicked and told the inspector I used bank card and provided that but that card wasnt working. She took my details and said contact card issuer and TfL. My verification letter came with the email ap@tfl.gov.uk and replied hasty as I’m stressed out due to my kids and the lie. I said I tapped my wallet with load of cards on it on yellow reader gate opened I got on train and card didn’t work when inspector check and said the same thing she told. Then the next day I did that and paid the outstanding fare which I did I contacted customer service. Sent it then the next day sent the exact email only with the station it happened at this time then sent it by post to. On the last day of the window as on my later it was 2nd of march so on the 12th I sent what really happened “
On Saturday the 28th of February I Used my partners freedom pass to enter barking overground station. I picked it up without thinking as usually I use my Oyster but I forgot my partner used the black card wallet the previous day. When I was on the train I realised this and when the inspector came to check my ticket I panicked and said I used a card when I didn’t. I am sorry for writing an initial verification letter maintaining this lie as I was scared because I didn’t know what to do and didn’t want to get in trounle for my mistake. I understand that this is not acceptable and want to clarify my mistake and to use this as my official letter before the window closes. I apologise once again as I was in a rush that day and had no idea I was using it, I was so tired and my kids have been keeping me up at night. I’ve been feeling depressed for a long time now but not telling anyone in my family about this. I will greatly appreciate as this is my first offence if I can settle out of court and I will pay any administrative fees. Once again I apologise and hope you know it was a genuine mistake, which I wish I just mentioned initially.
I have made a huge error and I never used a solicitor before, what’s going to happen? I don’t even know if they been recieving my email as everyone online has iap@tfl.gov listed on there letter

 

[AndroidBango]

I'm afraid TFL take a binary approach to abuse of high value passes and fare evasion. They either a) prosecute in the vast majority of cases, b) issue a final warning (uncommon, usually only with the intervention of a solicitor and when there are significant mitigating circumstances.

They do not settle out of court.

 

[framedgunner]

So I’m going prison for lying and correcting it then?

 

[jfollows]

You will be prosecuted and, if found guilty, will have a criminal record and will be fined.

 

[framedgunner]

What kind of record also I hate that when you email them, you don’t know if they received it as no one answers. My anxiety and stress is through the roof.

 

[framedgunner]

Should I post my initial lie? So you can see

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Mar 2026 ==

On Saturday 28th of February 2026 I walked into Barking station, I usually take car and not much of a person to take trains. I touched my wallet on the yellow reader, and it beeped and I had my air pods in. I genuinely made a mistake in thinking that my card had gone through by not looking at the scanner. The gates opened I walked through and entered the train. I have a wallet with a lot of bank cards and credit cards inside and my card I thought had touched was in the front sleeve. On the train a ticket inspector asked to see my card, and I handed it to her. She told me my card wasn't working and I was shocked because I have used my card to pay for things, it’s not really a card I ever check I just make payments with it. She told me she would have to take my details and to call my card issuer and the TfL and sort it out.


I contacted my issuer and TfL customer service the very next day to try sort it out. TfL customer service lady said if you try to pay with a card in your wallet, it can confuse the cards and either charge another card in your wallet or beep red and not accept any payments as the system can be confused. TFL then corrected my fare and took payment for the 28th of February. I am deeply sorry for making such a silly mistake and take full responsibility for actions. I am ashamed of this event and realise the impact it has on the TFL. I have corrected the fare and if possible, I wondered if it would be possible to settle this matter without having to go to court. I am prepared to pay any administration costs in dealing with this matter, any fines and I hope my desire to settle will be sincerely considered. This has never happened to me before and I have learnt from my mistake.


If I ever use TFL In the future I will use an oyster and tap it physically and not in a wallet. Again, I really do apologise for any trouble and inconvenience I have caused and will do better.


Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Mar 2026 ==

I did pay the fare but on my statement it shows the 2nd march

 

[AlterEgo]

Sorry, what are you asking? Whether you should lie in your evidence to TfL?

 

[framedgunner]

Sorry, what are you asking? Whether you should lie in your evidence to TfL?

No I just saying will they take my new letter I sent or my old one into consideration

 

[z444z]

I will greatly appreciate as this is my first offence if I can settle out of court and I will pay any administrative fees. Once again I apologise and hope you know it was a genuine mistake, which I wish I just mentioned initially.

TfL do not settle out of court. They will either prosecute you or issue a warning letter, with the former being by far the most likely outcome.

Read their prosecutions policy, available online. Look at section 8.2 to see if any mitigating circumstances exist. If there are any, it may be worth getting a solicitor to correspond with TfL on your behalf, we generally only see success with TfL when this is done, but if there are no mitigating circumstances then a solicitor is unlikely to have any impact on the outcome. You almost certainly will not be going to prison but a criminal conviction is quite likely.

 

[AlterEgo]

No I just saying will they take my new letter I sent or my old one into consideration

It isn't clear what has happened. Did they discover the Freedom Pass and remove it from you?

 

[Haywain]

So I’m going prison for lying and correcting it then?

No, you will not be going to prison.

 

[MotCO]

I think we are all a bit confused as to what has happened.

Firstly, have you received any letters from TfL, and if so, please can you post them with names, reference numbers and personal details hidden.

Secondly, the usual advice is to tell the truth; if you try to make up a story, TfL will have heard them all before and can spot when stories are being made up. They would prefer the true story, so that when you say that you have learnt your lesson and won't do it again (which is what they are trying to ensure), it is more believable.

Thirdly, and there is no way to let you down gently, the chances are that they will take you to Court, and the usual punishment is a fine, which will run into the hundreds of pounds, so you need to think about how you can raise this money.

The other thing to point out is that TfL do not take kindly to misuse of a partner's Freedom Pass, and action might be taken for that, which might include being confiscated, but other posters will be more knowledgable.

 

[framedgunner]

It isn't clear what has happened. Did they discover the Freedom Pass and remove it from you?

No I lied I used bank card but card was blocked

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Mar 2026 ==

I think we are all a bit confused as to what has happened.

Firstly, have you received any letters from TfL, and if so, please can you post them with names, reference numbers and personal details hidden.

Secondly, the usual advice is to tell the truth; if you try to make up a story, TfL will have heard them all before and can spot when stories are being made up. They would prefer the true story, so that when you say that you have learnt your lesson and won't do it again (which is what they are trying to ensure), it is more believable.

Thirdly, and there is no way to let you down gently, the chances are that they will take you to Court, and the usual punishment is a fine, which will run into the hundreds of pounds, so you need to think about how you can raise this money.

The other thing to point out is that TfL do not take kindly to misuse of a partner's Freedom Pass, and action might be taken for that, which might include being confiscated, but other posters will be more knowledgable.

What kind of action?

 

[30907]

No I lied I used bank card but card was blocked

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Mar 2026 ==


What kind of action?

I don't think we've heard of anything other than confiscation (except for Staff Passes). If they didn't find out that you misused a Freedom Pass then it's not relevant anyway.

You must still expect to be prosecuted under the Byelaws for not having a valid ticket, found guilty and fined. It is a very minor offence in the grand scheme of things.

 

[framedgunner]

I don't think we've heard of anything other than confiscation (except for Staff Passes). If they didn't find out that you misused a Freedom Pass then it's not relevant anyway.

You must still expect to be prosecuted under the Byelaws for not having a valid ticket, found guilty and fined. It is a very minor offence in the grand scheme of things.

I didn’t know at the time. On the last day I submitted the freedom pass letter. So basically snitched on myself

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Mar 2026 ==

I don't think we've heard of anything other than confiscation (except for Staff Passes). If they didn't find out that you misused a Freedom Pass then it's not relevant anyway.

You must still expect to be prosecuted under the Byelaws for not having a valid ticket, found guilty and fined. It is a very minor offence in the grand scheme of things.

She took my details after that when she heard it was blocked

 

[AlterEgo]

I didn’t know at the time. On the last day I submitted the freedom pass letter. So basically snitched on myself

I’m afraid this was unwise and you incriminated yourself. They had no idea you were misusing a Freedom Pass until you told them. Why on earth would you tell them this?

They will almost certainly prosecute you now.

 

[KirkstallOne]

The problem you may have is Tfl may think this isn’t a one off and will be looking to see if similar journeys have been made on the freedom pass. Worth having a think about what it would look like if they do inspect those travel records. Your partner may also have some difficult questions asked if they think this has been done with their consent.

However I am a little confused as to what you have told them, and if they have the details of the freedom pass from that? A clear timeline of all communication you have had so far would help.

 

[framedgunner]

I have used it on and off for 3 months now as times are so hard and I’m struggling mentally and financially and making rash decisions. Do you think I should just be honest with them. I’ll pay the fine I just don’t want any prison time

 

[jfollows]

You should not lie to them, but you don’t need to tell them anything they haven’t asked about, although it’s possibly too late for that. You will not go to prison.

 

[framedgunner]

I sent freedom pass letter on the 12th and the first letter by post on the 9th. I received a letter asking for proof of contactless journey as I said I paid the fare and it was corrected for the 28th. But that card was blocked I had to unblock it and customer service took payment because it had 2 failed revenue inspections on it. I can’t show that card

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Mar 2026 ==

I have 14 days to reply from the 12th

 

[KirkstallOne]

I’ll pay the fine I just don’t want any prison time

Please don’t worry about this you are not going to prison, worst case is a fine and compensation which could be quite large if you have evaded a substantial number of fares.

It would help if you could clarify what these different letters refer to as it is not very clear from your posts. We need to know exactly what you have told them so far and exactly what they have said. We would never advise you to be dishonest in your communications but equally there is no need to incriminate yourself further.

 

[framedgunner]

Should I post my initial lie? So you can see

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Mar 2026 ==

On Saturday 28th of February 2026 I walked into Barking station, I usually take car and not much of a person to take trains. I touched my wallet on the yellow reader, and it beeped and I had my air pods in. I genuinely made a mistake in thinking that my card had gone through by not looking at the scanner. The gates opened I walked through and entered the train. I have a wallet with a lot of bank cards and credit cards inside and my card I thought had touched was in the front sleeve. On the train a ticket inspector asked to see my card, and I handed it to her. She told me my card wasn't working and I was shocked because I have used my card to pay for things, it’s not really a card I ever check I just make payments with it. She told me she would have to take my details and to call my card issuer and the TfL and sort it out.


I contacted my issuer and TfL customer service the very next day to try sort it out. TfL customer service lady said if you try to pay with a card in your wallet, it can confuse the cards and either charge another card in your wallet or beep red and not accept any payments as the system can be confused. TFL then corrected my fare and took payment for the 28th of February. I am deeply sorry for making such a silly mistake and take full responsibility for actions. I am ashamed of this event and realise the impact it has on the TFL. I have corrected the fare and if possible, I wondered if it would be possible to settle this matter without having to go to court. I am prepared to pay any administration costs in dealing with this matter, any fines and I hope my desire to settle will be sincerely considered. This has never happened to me before and I have learnt from my mistake.


If I ever use TFL In the future I will use an oyster and tap it physically and not in a wallet. Again, I really do apologise for any trouble and inconvenience I have caused and will do better.


Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Mar 2026 ==

I did pay the fare but on my statement it shows the 2nd march

This was first email I sent them and also by post too on the 9th

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Mar 2026 ==

On February 2026 I was stopped on TfL London overground and asked to show oyster. But I had my partners freedom pass as we share the same little black wallet. Sometimes she uses it and sometimes I use it with my oyster. I forgot she used it the previous day. I was in a rush and picked it up. I realised I had her freedom pass when I tapped into the overground but was just n a rush for work. I panicked and told the inspector I used bank card and provided that but that card wasnt working. She took my details and said contact card issuer and TfL. My verification letter came with the email ap@tfl.gov.uk and replied hasty as I’m stressed out due to my kids and the lie. I said I tapped my wallet with load of cards on it on yellow reader gate opened I got on train and card didn’t work when inspector check and said the same thing she told. Then the next day I did that and paid the outstanding fare which I did I contacted customer service. Sent it then the next day sent the exact email only with the station it happened at this time then sent it by post to. On the last day of the window as on my later it was 2nd of march so on the 12th I sent what really happened “
On Saturday the 28th of February I Used my partners freedom pass to enter barking overground station. I picked it up without thinking as usually I use my Oyster but I forgot my partner used the black card wallet the previous day. When I was on the train I realised this and when the inspector came to check my ticket I panicked and said I used a card when I didn’t. I am sorry for writing an initial verification letter maintaining this lie as I was scared because I didn’t know what to do and didn’t want to get in trounle for my mistake. I understand that this is not acceptable and want to clarify my mistake and to use this as my official letter before the window closes. I apologise once again as I was in a rush that day and had no idea I was using it, I was so tired and my kids have been keeping me up at night. I’ve been feeling depressed for a long time now but not telling anyone in my family about this. I will greatly appreciate as this is my first offence if I can settle out of court and I will pay any administrative fees. Once again I apologise and hope you know it was a genuine mistake, which I wish I just mentioned initially.
I have made a huge error and I never used a solicitor before, what’s going to happen? I don’t even know if they been recieving my email as everyone online has iap@tfl.gov listed on there letter

This was 2nd email on deadline day

 

[framedgunner]

I was dishonest though before with all that stuff I sent in my first email except the part about correcting the fare because I did after I unblocked the card from the 2 failed revenue inspections(didn’t mention that part) But the 2nd email is true but I have used it before yes. Problem is because I sent the first email/letter first they got that on the 10th and replied on the 12th which only came yesterday and want me to link my contactless card I said I validated and paid with to see journey history. But all that is there is 2 revenue failed inspections and 1 payment. I usually use oyster not card. The same day they sent this by post is the same day I sent my true email to them the 12th, so my guess is it was already in the post.So they didn’t even go through that email yet and don’t know what to do?

 

[KirkstallOne]

I think you will have to wait for a reply from TfL to your second letter. Once you get that come back and post a redacted image of it and we can advise a suitable response. It is likely they will prosecute you, especially now you have admitted using a freedom pass that wasn’t yours. You will have to pay a fine and compensation but don’t worry about anything worse than that. The compensation will depend on how many times they can establish you have done this so I would stop admitting things as you are just digging a deeper hole for yourself. I presume you are over 18 years old? I don’t think a solicitor is needed unless you have money to burn and a particular reason a very low level criminal conviction will cause you problems (e.g. you work in a regulated profession).

I’ll be honest though, I am still struggling to understand exactly what happened, seems you are saying you did contact TfL and pay for the journey on the 28th but if you never tapped in on that card why would they take that payment? What are the other failed inspections you are referring to, have there been several incidents or are these all relating to the same journey?

Maybe someone who is more familiar with the underground can piece together what has happened as it is quite a confused account currently and I imagine TfL will also be quite confused trying to parse your two responses, tbh that may work to your advantage although mention of the freedom pass will probably draw their attention as they really don’t like misuse of those.

Needless to say ensure you pay for all your journeys in future.

 

[furlong]

You'll have to wait now for their response.
It sounds as though the original incident for which you were stopped got resolved as they accepted payment of the fare and so would not lead to prosecution.
However (depending on the exact sequencing of the information flow) they might now be able to argue that that resolution occurred under false pretences and therefore they are entitled to reopen the case. It remains tricky though. Separately, they could investigate previous use of the freedom pass following your admission but that depends on the travel pattern, any not-yet-overwritten CCTV, and may need a further admission. (My gut feeling is they'll either drop this here in the "too difficult" pile or request an interview to attempt to straighten everything out.)

 

[framedgunner]

I did get a solicitor to guys. He done a great job for £675 and TfL issued me a warning yesterday. Thanks

 

[WesternLancer]

I did get a solicitor to guys. He done a great job for £675 and TfL issued me a warning yesterday. Thanks

Thanks for info. Would you mind naming the firm used as I suspect other people who need help might find that handy info

 

[are7ss]

I did get a solicitor to guys. He done a great job for £675 and TfL issued me a warning yesterday. Thanks

Hi, would you mind naming which solicitor you used- i'm in a similar situation and am currently looking for one. Thank you.

 

[Hadders]

Hi, would you mind naming which solicitor you used- i'm in a similar situation and am currently looking for one. Thank you.

Please start your own thread if you need assistance and forum members will be happy to assist. This is because we only discuss one case in each thread.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi, would you mind naming which solicitor you used- i'm in a similar situation and am currently looking for one. Thank you.

If you start a thread we can post details of solicitors who gave been mentioned on this forum and you can get quotes from them.
I note the person here didn’t yet respond when I asked the name of the firm used.