Paying penalty - gave false info

[vee2077]

Hi - I got a penalty fine for no ticket, I thought I could use trainline onboard and missed the massive signs so fair enough. To make matters worse I did panic and gave a fake name and address, again a very stupid thing to do - I think I just reverted to my old student anti establishment self which is so stupid. Anyway I kicked myself and emailed WM Trains fraud team admitting what I did and wanting to pay the fine and any admin costs after researching on here. They said

“Thank you for reaching out in regards to this matter. The Penalty Fare will be with ICRAS now so please contact them via their website and they will support you on rectifying this matter, or on the penalty fare slip you should have received when issued the penalty fare it will have their contact details available. We hope this helps in resolving this matter.”

I just want advice on the best way to approach Icras - do I just message them the same way I did WM trains? I only found info about TOCs advising Icras about updating the penalty amount with any admin costs - so does admitting fault generally work the same with Icras? I don’t want to make anything worse.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi - I got a penalty fine for no ticket, I thought I could use trainline onboard and missed the massive signs so fair enough. To make matters worse I did panic and gave a fake name and address, again a very stupid thing to do - I think I just reverted to my old student anti establishment self which is so stupid. Anyway I kicked myself and emailed WM Trains fraud team admitting what I did and wanting to pay the fine and any admin costs after researching on here. They said

“Thank you for reaching out in regards to this matter. The Penalty Fare will be with ICRAS now so please contact them via their website and they will support you on rectifying this matter, or on the penalty fare slip you should have received when issued the penalty fare it will have their contact details available. We hope this helps in resolving this matter.”

I just want advice on the best way to approach Icras - do I just message them the same way I did WM trains? I only found info about TOCs advising Icras about updating the penalty amount with any admin costs - so does admitting fault generally work the same with Icras? I don’t want to make anything worse.

I think we need to be clear about what happened.

Did you actually get a Penalty Fare? A requirement to pay £100 reduced to £5O if paid promptly. You should have been given paperwork for that including information on a right of appeal etc

There is no such thing as a ‘penalty fine’ that they give you on a train.

Or have you been’reported for investigation’

The difference is really important. IRCAS will have nothing to do with a report for investigation iirc. Which is the initial step on a pathway that could end in court proceedings. So giving false details makes that harder to sort out but won’t necessarily stop the process.

Did you receive any paperwork of any sort? If so please upload it with personal details or ref number obscured.

Until you know what has actually happened do not message anyone yet.

When you say you e mailed the fraud team what address did you e mail.

 

[vee2077]

Sorry - yes it’s a penalty fare, £100 plus the ticket cost. Issues due to no ticket on the train. If paid within 21 days then the penalty is reduced to £50 with appeal details and Icras contact details for paying the penalty.

Apologies for the confusion.

No I have not been reported for investigation. I used an email with my real name, as I thought coming clean was the best approach.

If I pay the fine, could the TOC still go after me for the fake details?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Aug 2025 ==

Sorry I emailed DigitalFraudTeam@wmtrains.co.uk

 

[WesternLancer]

Sorry - yes it’s a penalty fare, £100 plus the ticket cost. Issues due to no ticket on the train. If paid within 21 days then the penalty is reduced to £50 with appeal details and Icras contact details for paying the penalty.

Apologies for the confusion.

No I have not been reported for investigation. I used an email with my real name, as I thought coming clean was the best approach.

If I pay the fine, could the TOC still go after me for the fake details?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Aug 2025 ==

Sorry I emailed DigitalFraudTeam@wmtrains.co.uk

Good news. A penalty fare is the least worst sanction you can get really

If you have the ref number can’t you just go in line and pay it promptly? Not sure the name and address on it really matters. Once paid the matter is closed iirc.

Hopefully penalty fares experts on here will pitch in to correct me if wrong or give other advice.

When is the prompt payment discount date up? Ie do you have a bit of breathing space.

 

[AlterEgo]

If you aren't looking to appeal it just pay it. Doesn't matter whose name is on it, they aren't going to care.

 

[vee2077]

Thankyou both! I got spooked by the it’s a criminal offence to supply fake details - fess up posts. I’ll go head and pay the penalty as is.