Unpaid Fare Notice SCOTRAIL advice

[plutoreadsalon]

Heyo folks,

My wee brother was travelling without a railcard in glasgow for a short journey (less than 3/4 stops), ticket price around 2-3£. He was pulled aside for failing show his railcard and he gave his details and they sent him a £30 penalty to pay. Thing is he does not have a railcard and selected it stupidly which he regrets, we’re going to pay the fine to avoid anything further. But this is my issue and why i am worried: he does not have a valid railcard. He got a paper return ticket from the card machines with my bank card (i lent it to him so thats not an issue as hes on rough times). He said he’ll pay the fine in cash in the station but im worried about the fact that they will trace the ticket reference to the payment method that has my bank card details, and scour booking history made with my bank card and name which i have used before and attempt to charge me full price for any railcard bookings. Is this a possibility? How do i navigate this? I have always been very generous about booking train tickets for myself and friends and family and even colleagues all whove had rail cards with my bank card and i have no way to find each person and show their railcards for proof. I hope im making sense, any advice or suggestions or even if you think my bank card being linked to this ticket which was fined might be something to be concerned about.


(I am worried about specifying the exact train stations incase it brings him more difficulty from the revenue protection teams)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jan 2026 ==

Heyo folks,

My wee brother was travelling without a railcard in glasgow for a short journey (less than 3/4 stops), ticket price around 2-3£. He was pulled aside for failing show his railcard and he gave his details and they sent him a £30 penalty to pay. Thing is he does not have a railcard and selected it stupidly which he regrets, we’re going to pay the fine to avoid anything further. But this is my issue and why i am worried: he does not have a valid railcard. He got a paper return ticket from the card machines with my bank card (i lent it to him so thats not an issue as hes on rough times). He said he’ll pay the fine in cash in the station but im worried about the fact that they will trace the ticket reference to the payment method that has my bank card details, and scour booking history made with my bank card and name which i have used before and attempt to charge me full price for any railcard bookings. Is this a possibility? How do i navigate this? I have always been very generous about booking train tickets for myself and friends and family and even colleagues all whove had rail cards with my bank card and i have no way to find each person and show their railcards for proof. I hope im making sense, any advice or suggestions or even if you think my bank card being linked to this ticket which was fined might be something to be concerned about.


(I am worried about specifying the exact train stations incase it brings him more difficulty from the revenue protection teams)

To add, the card is linked with my own personal trainline app, which i have also used to buy people tickets etc

 

[z444z]

Just a note to anyone replying to this post to be careful with your advice as Scottish law is quite different - this is why I’m not giving any advice as I’m not entirely confident doing so.

 

[plutoreadsalon]

Just a note to anyone replying to this post to be careful with your advice as Scottish law is quite different - this is why I’m not giving any advice as I’m not entirely confident doing so.

hey, thanks for the heads up, can you pls let me know how different and why it being different matters here?

 

[z444z]

hey, thanks for the heads up, can you pls let me know how different and why it being different matters here?

No because I’m not 100% sure on all the details, others will be able to advise

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Heyo folks,

My wee brother was travelling without a railcard in glasgow for a short journey (less than 3/4 stops), ticket price around 2-3£. He was pulled aside for failing show his railcard and he gave his details and they sent him a £30 penalty to pay. Thing is he does not have a railcard and selected it stupidly which he regrets, we’re going to pay the fine to avoid anything further. But this is my issue and why i am worried: he does not have a valid railcard. He got a paper return ticket from the card machines with my bank card (i lent it to him so thats not an issue as hes on rough times). He said he’ll pay the fine in cash in the station but im worried about the fact that they will trace the ticket reference to the payment method that has my bank card details, and scour booking history made with my bank card and name which i have used before and attempt to charge me full price for any railcard bookings. Is this a possibility? How do i navigate this? I have always been very generous about booking train tickets for myself and friends and family and even colleagues all whove had rail cards with my bank card and i have no way to find each person and show their railcards for proof. I hope im making sense, any advice or suggestions or even if you think my bank card being linked to this ticket which was fined might be something to be concerned about.


(I am worried about specifying the exact train stations incase it brings him more difficulty from the revenue protection teams)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jan 2026 ==


To add, the card is linked with my own personal trainline app, which i have also used to buy people tickets etc

Welcome to the forum. Can you be certain that all the tickets bought with your cards were legitimate?

If so, then you ultimately have nothing to worry about, although it may involve a bit of effort if they do try to chase you up.

But realistically while it's possible for the railway to go through records linked to you, it's unlikely. So keep an eye on the post and email in case something comes through - but don't worry until something arrives.

 

[plutoreadsalon]

Welcome to the forum. Can you be certain that all the tickets bought with your cards were legitimate?

If so, then you ultimately have nothing to worry about, although it may involve a bit of effort if they do try to chase you up.

But realistically while it's possible for the railway to go through records linked to you, it's unlikely. So keep an eye on the post and email in case something comes through - but don't worry until something arrives.

will they send anything to him or to my billing address? honestly i cannot vouch for years of scotrail transactions for everyone i have bought tickets for. im honestly panicking because i saw an unpaid fare notice said it initiates an investigation… if they come back to me can i explain the situation ir am i liable ?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jan 2026 ==

will they send anything to him or to my billing address? honestly i cannot vouch for years of scotrail transactions for everyone i have bought tickets for. im honestly panicking because i saw an unpaid fare notice said it initiates an investigation… if they come back to me can i explain the situation ir am i liable ?

or should i email them myself and say i lent him the card and that he didnt have a railcard but has used my card to get a invalid ticket and that hes oaying the fine?

 

[30907]

will they send anything to him or to my billing address? honestly i cannot vouch for years of scotrail transactions for everyone i have bought tickets for. im honestly panicking because i saw an unpaid fare notice said it initiates an investigation… if they come back to me can i explain the situation ir am i liable ?

AIUI it is perfectly legit to buy a railcard-discounted ticket - using it (illegally) is another matter, so unless you have been doing so you are OK

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jan 2026 ==


or should i email them myself and say i lent him the card and that he didnt have a railcard but has used my card to get a invalid ticket and that hes oaying the fine?

no, leave it for now. Paying the penalty should close the matter.

Might be worth having a check through your account, noting other potentially dodgy tickets, and identifying who might have used them.

 

[plutoreadsalon]

AIUI it is perfectly legit to buy a railcard-discounted ticket - using it (illegally) is another matter, so unless you have been doing so you are OK

no, leave it for now. Paying the penalty should close the matter.

Might be worth having a check through your account, noting other potentially dodgy tickets, and identifying who might have used them.

youre right idk why im panicking, hes paid it but the fine says its an unpaid fare notice which scotrail says opens an investigation :/