Urgently Help!!!

[regret10122021]

Hi there,

I bought a train ticket from Queenstown road to west ham via waterloo on Friday afternoon, Dec. 10 to have dinner with my friend on my phone, and I changed my mind 1h later.
I got on the train at another station without my oyster card (I lost my previous one) and I was going to replace my ticket at the station, and there was no staff on the train or train station.

To make matters worse, the train came at that time. I got on the train without getting a paper ticket (only the ticket collection code) in order to hurry up.

In fact, I had just come to the UK for 1 year and had been living in East London, I was not familiar with the west London, and it was my first time to book the ticket on the SWR train, I didn't know where to change the code into a paper ticket. I was going to make up for a new ticket on the train or after I got off.

My English is not good, so I got off the train and asked a staff member for help to replace my ticket, but in a panic I didn't know how to describe it, I just say "How to get a ticket", he hadn't ask which station I came from(Or he asked but I didn't understand)
I panicked even more when he asked me for some personal details, because I didn't have a ticket at the time. He asked me for some details and I was particularly flustered and gave some wrong information. Then he asked for my ID, took a photo, checked my railcard (which worked), gave me an MG11, he hadn't ask me to pay for fine or something else but just give the MG11 to me, I am so scared, Finally he said someone would write to me.
I gave my old address, but I can still get a letter at that address, now do I need to write an email explaining to the railroad company before I get a letter from them?

One more things I regret even more is that when they asked me, I said the staff checked the ticket code and opened the door for me, when in fact I tried to get a staff to replacement ticket and there was no staff at the station or on the train, I hadn't express my mind properly under panic.
I don't know if they will sue me, this is the first time I did something so incorrect. I was studying before and I don't want to have any problems with my DBS check.



Do they check previous station monitoring? or do they will send me to the court directly?

I hope someone can help me, thank you very much

 

[AlterEgo]

Forgive the abruptness of the reply, but we should ask a few questions which the investigators will need to consider too:

Which station did you get on at?

Where did you get off to ask for help?

Why did you not use a contactless bank card to pay for your journey?

 

[30907]

Once we have some more information we can help further.

(One question I have - what happened to the ticket from Queenstown Road to West Ham?)

When you get a letter you will only have a certain time to reply, so you need to be able to get your mail from your previous address promptly. Alternatively you can contact the train company but use the reference number on the form they gave you, so they know who you are.

At this stage there is no need to worry about DBS checks. Even if you are taken to court and fined (which may not happen), it will most likely be for a "non recordable" offence which won't show on a DBS and won't bother a future employer.

 

[regret10122021]

Forgive the abruptness of the reply, but we should ask a few questions which the investigators will need to consider too:

Which station did you get on at?

Where did you get off to ask for help?

Why did you not use a contactless bank card to pay for your journey?

Hi thank you for the reply

I went on train at some stops before Queenstown Road, I want to get a ticket from this station to Queenstown Road(I only booked a ticket from Queenstown Road to West ham online) I found there are no barrier and no stuff at that station which I got on the train, and the train was coming atm. I wanted to save some time so I decided to go on the train first (That is the most wrong decision) and got a ticket on the train.

I asked one of the stuff in Waterloo station, and I hadn’t got the train ticket on the trainI wanted to get the ticket from the station I got on the train to Queenstown Rd, but unfortunately I hadn’t express what I want correctly, so prob that made him misunderstood me (Although I know this sounds like an excuse, but in fact it isn’t, or I won’t ask one of the station stuff for help)

I lost my Oyster card, which was in the same wallet with my bank card, I only had some cash at that moment

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Dec 2021 ==

Once we have some more information we can help further.

(One question I have - what happened to the ticket from Queenstown Road to West Ham?)

When you get a letter you will only have a certain time to reply, so you need to be able to get your mail from your previous address promptly. Alternatively you can contact the train company but use the reference number on the form they gave you, so they know who you are.

At this stage there is no need to worry about DBS checks. Even if you are taken to court and fined (which may not happen), it will most likely be for a "non recordable" offence which won't show on a DBS and won't bother a future employer.

Hi thank you for the reply

I booked the ticket from Queensway Rd online, which was only some numbers mixed with letters, it was not a QR code, I can’t scan on the machine

I am worried about they will sue me to the court, I am happy to pay for some money to make this stupid issue solved, I must pay for my stupid decision

By the way, what should I reply if they send me something, will they send me to the court directly? I just lived in the UK for such a short time…I don’t want to leave anything bad on my DBS record, not only now, but also in the future…thanks for your reply again

 

[AlterEgo]

Hi thank you for the reply

I went on train at some stops before Queenstown Road

Which station?

I want to get a ticket from this station to Queenstown Road(I only booked a ticket from Queenstown Road to West ham online) I found there are no barrier and no stuff at that station which I got on the train, and the train was coming atm. I wanted to save some time so I decided to go on the train first (That is the most wrong decision) and got a ticket on the train.

So basically, you arrived at Waterloo, having - by sheer coincidence - used a paper ticket valid only from Queenstown Road, the closest station to Waterloo(!!). And no ticket from the mystery station to Queenstown Road.

Why did you not use contactless? Which train did you take into Waterloo? Did that stop at Queenstown Road?

This looks to an investigator like the oldest trick in the book - short faring to avoid a barrier.

 

[regret10122021]

Which station?

I can't remember clearly, but it is about 10-15 mins to Queenstown Road

So basically, you arrived at Waterloo, having - by sheer coincidence - used a paper ticket valid only from Queenstown Road, the closest station to Waterloo(!!). And no ticket from the mystery station to Queenstown Road.

I wanted to get the ticket from the station I got on the train to Queenstown Rd, but unfortunately, I hadn’t express what I want correctly, so prob that made him misunderstand me (Although I know this sounds like an excuse, but in fact, it isn’t, or I won’t ask one of the station staff for help)

Why did you not use contactless? Which train did you take into Waterloo? Did that stop at Queenstown Road?

I lost my Oyster card, which was in the same wallet as my bank card, I only had some cash at that moment
Yh it stoped

This looks to an investigator like the oldest trick in the book - short faring to avoid a barrier.

But After Queenstown Rd there is still a station, I swear I do not do that on purpose.

I am so worried about what will happen in the next days...

Thank you so much for your reply

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

We really need more details about your full journey before we can offer full advice but here's the advice I normally give to other posters who seek our advice in similar circumstances.

You are likely to receive a letter from the train company (or an investigation company acting on their behalf) which will probably take a few weeks to arrive saying that they have received a report, are considering prosecuting you and asking for your version of events. It is important that you engage with and reply to this letter. You might want to include the following in your reply:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

Make sure your reply is short and concise, don't give a sob story - they've heard it all before. Most train companies are usually prepared to offer an administrative settlement (commonly known as an out of court settlement) for people who engage with the process and who haven't come to their attention before. There is no guarantee of this and the train company would be well within their rights to prosecute you in the magistrates court.

If you are offered a settlement the amount varies depending on the train company and circumstances but tend to be a few hundred pounds plus the outstanding fare. An out of court settlement might appear to be a fine, but it isn't and you won't have a criminal record as a result of accepting one.

Feel free to post a copy of the letter when it arrives (with personal details removed) and I'm sure members on here will be happy to assist in proof reading your reply.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I can't remember clearly, but it is about 10-15 mins to Queenstown Road

I'm sorry, but how can you not remember what train station you got on at?

I'm guessing it isn't Clapham Junction as it is a big station and barriered. Could you have got on at Wandsworth Town?

 

[AlterEgo]

I can't remember clearly, but it is about 10-15 mins to Queenstown Road

I wanted to get the ticket from the station I got on the train to Queenstown Rd, but unfortunately, I hadn’t express what I want correctly, so prob that made him misunderstand me (Although I know this sounds like an excuse, but in fact, it isn’t, or I won’t ask one of the station staff for help)

I lost my Oyster card, which was in the same wallet as my bank card, I only had some cash at that moment
Yh it stoped

But After Queenstown Rd there is still a station, I swear I do not do that on purpose.

I am so worried about what will happen in the next days...

Thank you so much for your reply

I advise you not to use your opening story as a defence.

Essentially, you boarded a train without a valid ticket, which is in itself an offence under the railway bylaws.

You also had a prebooked paper ticket booking for a journey which is far cheaper by contactless and for which the railway will argue the only purpose was to operate the barrier at Waterloo. You then gave a false address, which is also a breach of the railway bylaws. You also lied to the officer and claim you can’t remember which station you boarded at (did it have barriers? I assume you did as you claim to have been let through them by staff How did you get through them?)

Through your actions, the railway can build a case that the action was intentional. Be mindful the train company can audit your online booking account.

You should wait for a letter and read @Hadders advice about what to say in reply.

 

[regret10122021]

I'm sorry, but how can you not remember what train station you got on at?

Sorry, I've just been in the UK for a year and due to the epidemic I am barely out of the house

I'm guessing it isn't Clapham Junction as it is a big station and barriered. Could you have got on at Wandsworth Town?

Not Clapham Junction

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Dec 2021 ==

I advise you not to use your opening story as a defence.

Okay, thanks.

Essentially, you boarded a train without a valid ticket, which is in itself an offence under the railway bylaws.

You also had a prebooked paper ticket booking for a journey which is far cheaper by contactless and for which the railway will argue the only purpose was to operate the barrier at Waterloo.

Nah I just do not know...Sorry

You then gave a false address, which is also a breach of the railway bylaws.

He asked me for the address, my English is not very well, at that moment I was so scared and my brain doesn't work. I am thinking about he is asking for the railway card address I added, when I check the internet, I know the address must be the address I live now

You also lied to the officer and claim you can’t remember which station you boarded at (did it have barriers? I assume you did as you claim to have been let through them by staff How did you get through them?)

He didn't ask which station I got on the train, or he asked, but I made a wrong reaction because of scaring + bad English, should I write an email to explain or not?

Through your actions, the railway can build a case that the action was intentional. Be mindful the train company can audit your online booking account.

I never did anything bad before

You should wait for a letter and read @Hadders advice about what to say in reply.

Thank you so much

 

[Haywain]

Sorry, I've just been in the UK for a year and due to the epidemic I am barely out of the house

Not Clapham Junction

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Dec 2021 ==


Okay, thanks.

Nah I just do not know...Sorry

He asked me for the address, my English is not very well, at that moment I was so scared and my brain doesn't work. I am thinking about he is asking for the railway card address I added, when I check the internet, I know the address must be the address I live now

He didn't ask which station I got on the train, or he asked, but I made a wrong reaction because of scaring + bad English, should I write an email to explain or not?

I never did anything bad before

Thank you so much

Barnes, Barnes Bridge?

 

[AlterEgo]

Nah I just do not know...Sorry

He asked me for the address, my English is not very well, at that moment I was so scared and my brain doesn't work. I am thinking about he is asking for the railway card address I added, when I check the internet, I know the address must be the address I live now

He didn't ask which station I got on the train, or he asked, but I made a wrong reaction because of scaring + bad English, should I write an email to explain or not?

I never did anything bad before

Thank you so much

Did the station you boarded at have barriers?

It is very likely he did ask which station you boarded from.

Did you answer?

What is the "wrong reaction" you describe here?

 

[regret10122021]

Welcome to the forum!

We really need more details about your full journey before we can offer full advice but here's the advice I normally give to other posters who seek our advice in similar circumstances.

You are likely to receive a letter from the train company (or an investigation company acting on their behalf) which will probably take a few weeks to arrive saying that they have received a report, are considering prosecuting you and asking for your version of events. It is important that you engage with and reply to this letter. You might want to include the following in your reply:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

Make sure your reply is short and concise, don't give a sob story - they've heard it all before. Most train companies are usually prepared to offer an administrative settlement (commonly known as an out of court settlement) for people who engage with the process and who haven't come to their attention before. There is no guarantee of this and the train company would be well within their rights to prosecute you in the magistrates court.

If you are offered a settlement the amount varies depending on the train company and circumstances but tend to be a few hundred pounds plus the outstanding fare. An out of court settlement might appear to be a fine, but it isn't and you won't have a criminal record as a result of accepting one.

Feel free to post a copy of the letter when it arrives (with personal details removed) and I'm sure members on here will be happy to assist in proof reading your reply.

Thank you so much
Can I ask if I need to write them in advance or just wait for the letter to come?

 

[Hadders]

Thank you so much
Can I ask if I need to write them in advance or just wait for the letter to come?

No wait for the letter to come.

 

[regret10122021]

Did the station you boarded at have barriers?

No,
I told him that I wanted to ask the staff how to get the tickets (both how to get ticket with the ticket code and buy ticket with cash) and maybe they would tell me or after checking my code and open the door for me
I don't know if what I said was the same as what he understood, but this is what I originally meant

It is very likely he did ask which station you boarded from.

Did you answer?

What is the "wrong reaction" you describe here?

Maybe he asked, but at the time I was extremely nervous and I don't remember what I said, my mind was blank.
In the first twenty years of my life, I never met this situation in my country, I never did anything bad
Even I came to the UK, I still never do anything bad until that day

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Dec 2021 ==

No wait for the letter to come.

How long will it take?
I am so nervous even I almost can't sleep well since that day :/

 

[Hadders]

How long will it take?
I am so nervous even I almost can't sleep well since that day :/

It can take up to six months but around 6 weeks is more normal.

There is nothing you can do at the moment so try and put it to the back of your mind and get on with your life.

 

[ChewChewTrain]

What time was the journey made? Assuming that hasn’t been forgotten too?

 

[30907]

The OP's behaviour will have looked suspicious to an Inspector at Waterloo, as people have already explained.
It doesn't make sense to me, because they haven't been able to explain the sequence of events.
If they did, we would be better able to judge whether they were doing anything other than travelling without the right ticket, and give relevant advice.
Meanwhile, I don't think we should jump to conclusions.