Northern Rail recovery

[xjxjxjxjxj]

I have received an email asking for me to attend an interview for using a railcard which I didn’t have, the total tickets is around 75+ but I’ve experienced money struggles. I’ve only saved around £2 per journey but I don’t really want to go to an interview and can’t afford a solicitor. What options do I have? Do I just admit wrongdoing and take a fine ?

 

[AlterEgo]

Have you been stopped at any time while travelling?

 

[Haywain]

What options do I have?

Stop buying and using tickets with discounts that you are not entitled to receive. Beyond that, it depends on the answer to the question above.

 

[Elecman]

Do not attend any interview as that is how they will get the necessary admission from you of your offending, which if they haven’t stopped you in person using the invalid ticket in the last 6 months they haven’t got sufficient evidence to prosecute you

 

[xjxjxjxjxj]

Have you been stopped at any time while travelling?

No I just received an email from them saying I had used a rail card and then I’m offered to attend an interview.

 

[AlterEgo]

Don't reply then. Just a fishing exercise.

 

[xjxjxjxjxj]

Do not attend any interview as that is how they will get the necessary admission from you of your offending, which if they haven’t stopped you in person using the invalid ticket in the last 6 months they haven’t got sufficient evidence to prosecute you

Don't reply then. Just a fishing exercise.

They said I can attend with a solicitor which worried me. So if I just leave it, I’ll be fine? They’ve said it’s in accordance with police and criminal evidence act, is that something to be worried about ?

 

[30907]

They said I can attend with a solicitor which worried me. So if I just leave it, I’ll be fine?

Yes, provided you don’t get caught - they will be pleased if you stop cheating and make sure you go by the book - correct ticket, buy before you board etc.

They’ve said it’s in accordance with police and criminal evidence act, is that something to be worried about ?

Not particularly - I'd be more worried if they weren't complying with the law

 

[Haywain]

They said I can attend with a solicitor which worried me. So if I just leave it, I’ll be fine? They’ve said it’s in accordance with police and criminal evidence act, is that something to be worried about ?

You have a right to silence, and that includes not attending an interview and not replying to letters. You should exercise your rights by not engaging with them.

 

[6Gman]

They said I can attend with a solicitor which worried me. So if I just leave it, I’ll be fine? They’ve said it’s in accordance with police and criminal evidence act, is that something to be worried about ?

Buying tickets to which you are not entitled is not in itself an offence - you might be buying for someone else.

The offence would be to USE or attempt to use tickets to which you are not entitled.

If they have no evidence of you using such a ticket they cannot prove an offence.

Normally they gain such evidence by catching you in the act, which is why it is so important whether or not they have ever stopped you when using such a ticket.

 

[xjxjxjxjxj]

Buying tickets to which you are not entitled is not in itself an offence - you might be buying for someone else.

The offence would be to USE or attempt to use tickets to which you are not entitled.

If they have no evidence of you using such a ticket they cannot prove an offence.

Normally they gain such evidence by catching you in the act, which is why it is so important whether or not they have ever stopped you when using such a ticket.

They didn’t stop me, the letter just says that I purchased x amount of tickets over a 4 year period using a railcard, it doesn’t specifically say I’ve committed an offence or used the tickets

 

[WesternLancer]

They didn’t stop me, the letter just says that I purchased x amount of tickets over a 4 year period using a railcard, it doesn’t specifically say I’ve committed an offence or used the tickets

Going forwards would you be entitled to a railcard if you wanted to buy one? If so do that.

Don’t delete your existing on line ticket buying account (because they can access it anyway), but find a way to get off their radar

Eg change who you buy train tickets from or buy them from ticket machines

Buy correct tickets on future so you don’t draw attention to yourself

If you get any more letters from them head back here for advice on what to do before sending any reply.

 

[xjxjxjxjxj]

Going forwards would you be entitled to a railcard if you wanted to buy one? If so do that.

Don’t delete your existing on line ticket buying account (because they can access it anyway), but find a way to get off their radar

Eg change who you buy train tickets from or buy them from ticket machines

Buy correct tickets on future so you don’t draw attention to yourself

If you get any more letters from them head back here for advice on what to do before sending any reply.

Thanks, that’s reassuring. I think I just panicked due to the serious tone of the letter, when realistically they haven’t caught me committing an offence. I’ll defo be buying the correct tickets from now on.

 

[MarlowDonkey]

They didn’t stop me, the letter just says that I purchased x amount of tickets over a 4 year period using a railcard, it doesn’t specifically say I’ve committed an offence or used the tickets

How would they conclude from ticket purchasing records that you didn't have a valid railcard? There isn't a comprehensive central database. Some things could perhaps be inferred to be suspect, for example use of an age related card for longer than the range of ages for which it is normally valid. I believe something like the jobseekers card by its nature is also time limited.

 

[WesternLancer]

How would they conclude from ticket purchasing records that you didn't have a valid railcard? There isn't a comprehensive central database. Some things could perhaps be inferred to be suspect, for example use of an age related card for longer than the range of ages for which it is normally valid. I believe something like the jobseekers card by its nature is also time limited.

Maybe we’re talking about a 16-17 saver railcard.

 

[xjxjxjxjxj]

Maybe we’re talking about a 16-17 saver railcard.

Yeah I used the 16-17 one a few times and the 16-25

 

[Egg Centric]

Thanks, that’s reassuring. I think I just panicked due to the serious tone of the letter, when realistically they haven’t caught me committing an offence. I’ll defo be buying the correct tickets from now on.

Just to be clear - the usual practice if you are caught is that they will demand payment for everything up front (i.e. the last 4 years) at anytime rates not to prosecute for the one time that they did catch you. So definitely stick to this!