Railcard Fraud

[cjm414141]

Was on the train to Grantham from Leeds and didn't realise my railcard had ran out when I was on the train despite having a 16-17 saver. I am actually 17 btw. I changed the date on the expiry in case because I didn't have the money in my account for a new one just yet , not expecting to be checked. Two minutes before I got off, the ticket collector came round and asked for my ticket and railcard. I obviously had my ticket but when I showed the edited railcard the collector took a photo of it. I had to get off at Grantham but I showed them my ID to prove I was 17. I didn't give any personal details. A couple hours after the train I renewed my railcard assuming that it made my 16-17 tickets valid as it had been bought on the same day as my tickets. I sent an email to LNER customer support proving I do have a renewed railcard now so I don't get a fine for putting down a railcard without having one. What do you think is going to happen. This is my first time I've ever done something like this and what can I expect and what should I do?

 

[AlterEgo]

A couple hours after the train I renewed my railcard assuming that it made my 16-17 tickets valid as it had been bought on the same day as my tickets. I sent an email to LNER customer support proving I do have a renewed railcard now so I don't get a fine for putting down a railcard without having one.

What did you say in your email to them? Show us what you've sent them, exactly, with your personal details removed.

Was this email in reply to one sent by LNER, or one you sent before you heard from them?

Which email address did you send it to?

 

[cjm414141]

customers@lner.co.uk
One I sent before I heard from them, this incident happened today.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Aug 2025 ==

What did you say in your email to them? Show us what you've sent them, exactly, with your personal details removed.

Was this email in reply to one sent by LNER, or one you sent before you heard from them?

Which email address did you send it to?

Wasn't letting me reply to this message but I've attached it in the thread

 

[Towers]

When did your 16-17 Saver actually expire?

A very significant factor here is whether you have done this on previous occasions? It is very likely that the Train Operators’ prosecutions department will obtain your bookings history from the app provider that you were using (Trainline?), and if there are previous tickets booked with a 16-17 Saver discount after the card ceased to be valid then they will almost certainly be investigated too. So, be prepared for honesty if you know that they might find further instances.

Unfortunately, renewing the card after you were caught will make no difference to the incident in question; the offence had already been committed at that point, although it does at least demonstrate that you have appreciated the need to comply going forwards.

 

[cjm414141]

When did your 16-17 Saver actually expire?

A very significant factor here is whether you have done this on previous occasions? It is very likely that the Train Operators’ prosecutions department will obtain your bookings history from the app provider that you were using (Trainline?), and if there are previous tickets booked with a 16-17 Saver discount after the card ceased to be valid, they will be investigated too.

I was using train line. There wasn't any, this was the only purchase without one. I don't get the train lots. I bought this ticket after it expired but I didn't know at the time.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Aug 2025 ==

I was using train line. There wasn't any, this was the only purchase without one. I don't get the train lots. I bought this ticket after it expired but I didn't know at the time.

my 16-17 saver expired mid July

 

[Towers]

I was using train line. There wasn't any, this was the only purchase without one. I don't get the train lots. I bought this ticket after it expired but I didn't know at the time.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Aug 2025 ==


my 16-17 saver expired mid July

That’s good news then - there is a strong whiff of fraud where somebody has altered details of Railcards or expiry dates etc, but a single offence is likely to be looked at a lot more leniently than repeated instances.

Hopefully the Train Operator will be willing to consider an out of court settlement, which means they’ll want whatever fare they consider to be owed as well as administration costs which tend to be a couple of hundred pounds or so. But, this is something which you’ll need to discuss with them once they make contact with you. There’s little you can do for the time being except sit tight and wait for their letter - and, hard as it might be, try not to panic; silly mistake etc but it’s not the end of the world, you’ll likely end up a few quid lighter but with no harm done!

 

[AlterEgo]

As you're 17 the first thing you need to do now is tell your parents. It is they who should receive a letter, not you.

 

[SuspectUsual]

The OP being under 18 should count in their favour in terms of avoiding prosecution

 

[cjm414141]

That’s good news then - there is a strong whiff of fraud where somebody has altered details of Railcards or expiry dates etc, but a single offence is likely to be looked at a lot more leniently than repeated instances.

Hopefully the Train Operator will be willing to consider an out of court settlement, which means they’ll want whatever fare they consider to be owed as well as administration costs which tend to be a couple of hundred pounds or so. But, this is something which you’ll need to discuss with them once they make contact with you. There’s little you can do for the time being except sit tight and wait for their letter - and, hard as it might be, try not to panic; silly mistake etc but it’s not the end of the world, you’ll likely end up a few quid lighter but with no harm done!

Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Aug 2025 ==

As you're 17 the first thing you need to do now is tell your parents. It is they who should receive a letter, not you.

I have done, thank you.

 

[John R]

As an adult you would likely be offered an out of court settlement of the Anytime Single fare (74.60) plus an admin fee of around 150. That is probably the most you are likely to have to pay, and it may be less as you are under 18.