Misuse of disabled oyster card

Hi
I was caught by TFL inspector yesterday for using my moms disabled free card! I have used it for going to and from work,The inspector asked my name , date of birth and address! He took the card and let me out! He didn’t say anything about the letter I may receive or what may happen in the future !
As I read the previous posts and comments from different people I am really worried about my future and family relationship with my wife , child and my parents!
I knew it is not a good idea to use someone’s card but I never realized that is is a CRIME!!
Is it okey to consult with solícitors at this point or after I get the letter from TFL?
Any suggestions would be appreciated!! My anxiety level is growing and could not sleep properly at night !
Thank you

Reply 1

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

22

Original post

by Anonymous

Hi
I was caught by TFL inspector yesterday for using my moms disabled free card! I have used it for going to and from work,The inspector asked my name , date of birth and address! He took the card and let me out! He didn’t say anything about the letter I may receive or what may happen in the future !
As I read the previous posts and comments from different people I am really worried about my future and family relationship with my wife , child and my parents!
I knew it is not a good idea to use someone’s card but I never realized that is is a CRIME!!
Is it okey to consult with solícitors at this point or after I get the letter from TFL?
Any suggestions would be appreciated!! My anxiety level is growing and could not sleep properly at night !
Thank you

You may want to speak to your local Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB) for some initial legal advice on the situation. They may be able to provide some information that at least lets you know what is the process now and what the likely outcome may be.

Whether you choose to seek legal representation further is up to you, but you may want to take advantage of free advice available from the CAB first and then make that decision.

Reply 2

ageshallnot

21

Original post

by Anonymous

Hi
I was caught by TFL inspector yesterday for using my moms disabled free card! I have used it for going to and from work,The inspector asked my name , date of birth and address! He took the card and let me out! He didn’t say anything about the letter I may receive or what may happen in the future !
As I read the previous posts and comments from different people I am really worried about my future and family relationship with my wife , child and my parents!
I knew it is not a good idea to use someone’s card but I never realized that is is a CRIME!!
Is it okey to consult with solícitors at this point or after I get the letter from TFL?
Any suggestions would be appreciated!! My anxiety level is growing and could not sleep properly at night !
Thank you

How did you not know that theft is a crime??? Or fraud, come to that.

Reply 3

martin7

20

Original post

by Anonymous

Hi
I was caught by TFL inspector yesterday for using my moms disabled free card! I have used it for going to and from work,The inspector asked my name , date of birth and address! He took the card and let me out! He didn’t say anything about the letter I may receive or what may happen in the future !
As I read the previous posts and comments from different people I am really worried about my future and family relationship with my wife , child and my parents!
I knew it is not a good idea to use someone’s card but I never realized that is is a CRIME!!
Is it okey to consult with solícitors at this point or after I get the letter from TFL?
Any suggestions would be appreciated!! My anxiety level is growing and could not sleep properly at night !
Thank you

You'll need to tell your mum that her card has been confiscated. And it's entirely possible that TfL will contact her to find out the circumstances surrounding how you got hold of it -- whether it was with or without her knowledge.

It's very likely that TfL will prosecute you. They may do this via the Single Justice Procedure, which would mean that you wouldn't need to attend court.

I don't think there's any point in consulting a solicitor at this point. You need to wait for TfL to contact you to find out what specifically you're being accused of.

You might want to read this page on prosecutions: https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/prosecutions and also TfL's Revenue Enforcement & Prosecutions Policy

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post

by martin7

You'll need to tell your mum that her card has been confiscated. And it's entirely possible that TfL will contact her to find out the circumstances surrounding how you got hold of it -- whether it was with or without her knowledge.
It's very likely that TfL will prosecute you. They may do this via the Single Justice Procedure, which would mean that you wouldn't need to attend court.
I don't think there's any point in consulting a solicitor at this point. You need to wait for TfL to contact you to find out what specifically you're being accused of.
You might want to read this page on prosecutions: https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/prosecutions and also TfL's Revenue Enforcement & Prosecutions Policy

Thank you for your kind words,,Waiting for the letter from The TFL

Reply 5

meenu89

19

Original post

by Anonymous

Thank you for your kind words,,Waiting for the letter from The TFL

have you (or the owner) read the terms and conditions of the card?

you may just get a fine if it is the first time.

Reply 6

Zarek

21

I would get some free legal advice, citizen advice or a solicitor might offer a free initial consultation. Abuse of free passes, particularly if it has gone on for a period of time, is likely to trigger prosecution. Once they get in touch it will be useful to have help to present any mitigating circumstances in the best way. While this is a crime it’s not the most serious thing in the world and many people make mistakes and bounce back from them. Have a good attitude to dealing with the situation and learn from your mistakes and all should be well

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 7

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post

by Zarek

I would get some free legal advice, citizen advice or a solicitor might offer a free initial consultation. Abuse of free passes, particularly if it has gone on for a period of time, is likely to trigger prosecution. Once they get it touch it will be useful to have help to present any mitigating circumstances in the best way. While this is a crime it’s not the most serious thing in the world and many people make mistakes and bounce back from them. Have a good attitude to dealing with the situation and learn from your mistakes and all should be well

Thank you for the kind words,, just waiting for the letter from Tfl…
I totally regret for the wrong doing!! I just took the advantage of the free pass which doesn’t belong to me!!
I’m just worried about how Tfl will take things further!!!

Reply 8

Trinculo

21

Original post

by Anonymous

Thank you for the kind words,, just waiting for the letter from Tfl…
I totally regret for the wrong doing!! I just took the advantage of the free pass which doesn’t belong to me!!
I’m just worried about how Tfl will take things further!!!

***NOT LEGAL ADVICE***

TfL use Single Justice Procedure for fare evasion, which means they will send you a letter which will give you 21 days to respond to telling them whether you wish to go guilty or not guilty and whether you want to show up to the hearing or not. It's called "Single Justice" because there will be one Magistrate sitting in the court.

If you go guilty, you write to them or show up with any representations of mitigation and almost inevitably some level of fine will be worked out.

If you go not guilty, you will have to show up and present evidence of why it is that you are not guilty. If you don't have legal representation, and/or absolutely compelling evidence this would be spectacularly inadvisible. Fare evasion is strict liability, so your intention to pay or not doesn't really play a part. If its your mums zip card, I doubt there is any possible defence.

You can get a solicitor, there are a fair few of them that will promise you various results. Just make the decision for yourself if the cost is worth it, and that they may not be able to help you as much as you'd like and you could potentially end up paying a fine and their fee.

Misuse of disabled oyster card

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