Tfl fare evasion warning

[kayla]

I am writing to seek your help and guidance regarding an incident that took place at Oxford Circus station.

I was pulled aside by a TfL officers and asked to present the card I had used. I showed the card from my ApplePay which is what i normally use; however, when it was scanned, it declined. I was then told that I had allegedly tapped out using a high value card- maybe photoid card of oyster and was asked to present that instead. I explained that the card in my Apple Wallet was the only one I had used and don’t have anything else on me.

The officer also asked to see the back of my phone case, which only contains a Polaroid photo. I fully cooperated and provided my ID and personal details when requested. Despite this, I was informed that I would be sent a prosecution notice, warned that this could lead to a criminal record, and told that I might not be allowed to travel again.


This experience was extremely worrying and distressing for me, particularly as I genuinely believed I had travelled correctly and was not given a clear explanation beyond what appeared to be a technical scanning issue.

I always use my contactless for tap in and tap out and also have the history to show that through my bank statements.

Can I please have information on what’s going to happen and how can i defend myself? Also , do they have any actual grounds for this accusation ?

 

[Mattplans]

This is interesting. I have a theory as to what happened - the forum experts will later request you to post any paperwork you were given, redacted (any personal info covered) so you can’t be identified. For the avoidance of doubt, you can also send your TfL travel history here so we can see.

If you have not already please create a contactless oyster account at tfl.gov.uk. This will allow you to view your travel history. I think this can pretty much conclusively prove you were not travelling on a high value oyster, but the experts will confirm this.

You started this in the wrong section, but don’t worry The mods will move it later.

Have a read of this: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/please-read-before-posting-in-disputes-prosecutions.77759/

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Dec 2025 ==

I am writing to seek your help and guidance regarding an incident that took place at Oxford Circus station.

I was pulled aside by a TfL officers and asked to present the card I had used. I showed the card from my ApplePay which is what i normally use; however, when it was scanned, it declined. I was then told that I had allegedly tapped out using a high value card- maybe photoid card of oyster and was asked to present that instead. I explained that the card in my Apple Wallet was the only one I had used and don’t have anything else on me.

The officer also asked to see the back of my phone case, which only contains a Polaroid photo. I fully cooperated and provided my ID and personal details when requested. Despite this, I was informed that I would be sent a prosecution notice, warned that this could lead to a criminal record, and told that I might not be allowed to travel again.


This experience was extremely worrying and distressing for me, particularly as I genuinely believed I had travelled correctly and was not given a clear explanation beyond what appeared to be a technical scanning issue.

I always use my contactless for tap in and tap out and also have the history to show that through my bank statements.

Can I please have information on what’s going to happen and how can i defend myself? Also , do they have any actual grounds for this accusation ?

High value passes (including staff passes) will flash like this once accepted by barriers. On some revenue protection operations, there will be plain-clothed inspectors watching for this.

Based on your description of the events, it's highly likely that the barrier flashed once you tapped your card. I'm not sure (but I am certainly not an expert), that there's any reason for this flash to happen on a Contactless card (…since you cannot add discounts to a Contactless card, only the actual Oyster cards), (perhaps it may flash if there are unsettled payments). Regardless, this is probably what the Revenue protection inspector saw that made them approach you. Not sure the extent of investigating they do before sending these letters, but you can probably be expecting a 'verification letter' in the mail. This is where TfL gives you the formal opportunity to explain what happened from your PoV. We can prepare your response now in advance of this, and with your description of events and your contactless account history attached, I see no reason why they should want to take it any further. They may cross check with CCTV and gateline records, and hopefully they will let it go. Maybe you'll get an apology, probably not.

The letter below is taken from another case and is what you can be expecting.

 

[kayla]

This is interesting. I have a theory as to what happened - the forum experts will later request you to post any paperwork you were guven, redacted so you can’t be identified. For the avoidance of doubt, you can also send your TfL travel history here so we can see.

If you have not already please create a contactless oyster account at tfl.gov.uk. This will allow you to view your travel history. I think this can pretty much conclusively prove you were not travelling on a high value oyster, but the experts will confirm this.

You started this in the wrong section, but don’t worry The mods will move it later.

Have a read of this: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/please-read-before-posting-in-disputes-prosecutions.77759/

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Dec 2025 ==


High value passes (including staff passes) will flash like this once accepted by barriers. On some revenue protection operations, there will be plain-clothed inspectors watching for this.

Based on your description of the events, it's highly likely that the barrier flashed once you tapped your card. I'm not sure (but I am certainly not an expert), that there's any reason for this flash to happen on a Contactless card (a payment card that's definitely not an Oyster one), (perhaps if there are unsettled payments), but this is probably what the Revenue protection inspector saw.
Not sure the extent of investigating they do before sending these letters, but you can probably be expecting a 'verification letter' in the mail. We can prepare your response now in advance of this, and with your description of events and your contactless account history attached, I see no reason why they should want to take it any further. They may cross check with CCTV and gateline records, and hopefully they will let it go. Maybe you'll get an apology, probably not.

The letter below is taken from another case and is what you can be expecting.

View attachment 194658

Thanks for your reply. Yes, that’s what they said that something flashed.

My card was declined in the morning for transaction cause i don’t keep much balance on it due to frauds happening. But i did transferred some money in it immediately and they transaction went through. I have this journey almost 3 times a week- this happened today so can’t provide today’s journey proof yet. But here is the evidence of my travel history usually.

Also will collect the evidence of travel from today as well- it says will update on the website tomorrow.

 

[z444z]

If what you’re telling us is the truth, then TfL should not find the evidence they would require to prosecute you.

However, you should be aware that they are likely to check CCTV which they’ll be able to match up with a specific card being tapped at a specific gate at a specific time.

You should also be aware that lying in court is significantly more serious than the minor criminal record you’d get if prosecuted under the TfL byelaws.