Hey guys, I’ve received this email today from WMT and to give a bit of background for you guys, around a month ago I boarded a train without a ticket (I know stupid I completely forgot in that moment as I was a bit late). I then remembered on the train and as I was buying it I was caught by staff and issued a penalty fare ticket which was labelled as ticket bought after departure. I did apologise and say that it was my mistake and that I was in a rush and at the time she said she wouldn’t report for prosecution. But now I’ve received an email saying that I had been reported for digital fraud department for no railcard. Even though I gave her my railcard and she even took a picture of it so I’m a bit confused on why I was reported for that if I had the railcard on me and she didn’t even tell me that she was reporting me.
So now I’m stressed about this whole situation and unsure on what to do I didn’t realise I could be reported and given a penalty fare ticket which I’ve paid .
Anyways any help is greatly appreciated thanks guyss.
Dear Customer,
We have recently been handed a file relating to an incident on XXXX 2025 when you were approached by staff carrying out their revenue duties, you were asked to show your valid ticket but due to a ticket discrepancy, No Railcard. It has been reported to the Digital Fraud Department for further investigation.
You were issued with a Penalty Fare; this is a separate matter to our investigation and needs to be settled with IRCAS and all details can be found on your Penalty Fare slip.
Further investigations into this matter have been carried out, including a full review of the ticket records. It would appear, at this stage, that this may be a case of fraud.
West Midlands Trains take travel fraud extremely seriously and is committed to prosecuting all cases of fare evasion to the full extent of the law. Travelling on the railway with the intent to avoid paying the full fare is an offence under the Regulation of Railways Act 1889. Such an offence carries a maximum fine of £1,000 and/or three months’ imprisonment and, in either case, a criminal record. It must also be considered whether this matter amounts to a much more serious offence under the Fraud Act 2006.
At this stage we would be grateful if you would provide any evidence to support the claim that none of the above legislation has been contravened to prevent further action being contemplated.
Please respond within the next 7 days from the date of this letter to avoid further escalation.
So now I’m stressed about this whole situation and unsure on what to do I didn’t realise I could be reported and given a penalty fare ticket which I’ve paid .
Anyways any help is greatly appreciated thanks guyss.
Dear Customer,
We have recently been handed a file relating to an incident on XXXX 2025 when you were approached by staff carrying out their revenue duties, you were asked to show your valid ticket but due to a ticket discrepancy, No Railcard. It has been reported to the Digital Fraud Department for further investigation.
You were issued with a Penalty Fare; this is a separate matter to our investigation and needs to be settled with IRCAS and all details can be found on your Penalty Fare slip.
Further investigations into this matter have been carried out, including a full review of the ticket records. It would appear, at this stage, that this may be a case of fraud.
West Midlands Trains take travel fraud extremely seriously and is committed to prosecuting all cases of fare evasion to the full extent of the law. Travelling on the railway with the intent to avoid paying the full fare is an offence under the Regulation of Railways Act 1889. Such an offence carries a maximum fine of £1,000 and/or three months’ imprisonment and, in either case, a criminal record. It must also be considered whether this matter amounts to a much more serious offence under the Fraud Act 2006.
At this stage we would be grateful if you would provide any evidence to support the claim that none of the above legislation has been contravened to prevent further action being contemplated.
Please respond within the next 7 days from the date of this letter to avoid further escalation.
