Help! help! Summons from tfl

mik786

Hey,
I just read the thread, i know bit old now however i caught into similar situation of using my brother's student photocard (18+student). Its just i was in rush and i picked his oyster and some one start inspecting randomly in the bus. That inspector took the oyster card away from me and said they will withdraw it. I dont know what is really gonna happen?
I am really scared, i m ready to pay fine but i dont want anything happening to my brother student oyster card. Could you tell me what will happen and what shall i be doing?
Thanks

sarahg1969

mik786 wrote: »

Hey,
I just read the thread, i know bit old now however i caught into similar situation of using my brother's student photocard (18+student). Its just i was in rush and i picked his oyster and some one start inspecting randomly in the bus. That inspector took the oyster card away from me and said they will withdraw it. I dont know what is really gonna happen?
I am really scared, i m ready to pay fine but i dont want anything happening to my brother student oyster card. Could you tell me what will happen and what shall i be doing?
Thanks

Do you have your own Oyster card?

newbestfriend

romi wrote: »

I didnt know i could do that. thought i have to pay panelty for this and they never gave me a chance of paying panelty. I was waiting for their response for some kind of charges I would have been happy to pay for the mistake i made, but summons :eek: i think they just thought to give me heartattack.

Thanks you all for advice.

one more thing they said in the summons that if i accept that i am guilty i need to pay 100 pounds and the case be closed.

Will this effect my employement, or the chances of getting a new job where i have to get CRB checked or not?

Will i have to mention this in the application forms for emplyement where they ask if i have any criminal conviction???

I am just not sure how being guilty of TFL would could effect my future. If anyone have idea

I'm writing this pretty much as a public service, since I'm one of the many who has been in this situation and found myself panicing, and it really affecting my quality of life and peace of mind.

1) Don't get caught. It helps if you're pretty and showing cleavage. A friend of mine has escaped any form of penalty on 3 separate occasions, one of which she actually legged it and had to be restrained! If you're not pretty, or a bloke, you're screwed. However....

2) Don't give your real name. Although sometimes the police show too, in order to take advantage of a stop and search opportuinity. If you are jumping the fare you should already have a false name etc in mind. Real fare dodgers NEVER get caught. Assuming you're not, you'd better play it as you see it.

Once your name is in ze book.......

3) Don't spend to much time on it. That means either worrying or responding. Once the TFL gestapo have your details, unless you know someone in the GLA or the police force it's likely you'll go to court. Don't stress about it, they just want to make examples of people. Normal people like you. They don't make any money out of this - it costs them a fortune to take cases to court. I spoke to the courthouse and they have to shut off a whole chamber for 3 days a week to get all the cases through. The courts don't like it either, however.......

4) Don't bother going to court. I happened to be in Nevada when my date was. I even told them I had moved house and was in the states and they ignored it and went ahead anyway. Ah well. Outcome was the same, 100 quid fine in the post. Thing is it doesn't matter what you say or how smart you look. It's a strict liability offence, the inspectors are very .... let's say.... selective... about what they put in their statements and therefore if you had no valid oyster you're bang to rights. Plus the magistrates support the mayor on this one, it's a political thing too - why else would the court devote the resources to it? It's a production line. Going to court and filling out all the forms not only wastes your time it also increases the risk they might means test the fine, which means instead of a poxy 100 quid penalty fare, they could slam you with more. a lot more... maximum fine is like a grand plus.

5) The criminal record means nothing. It's a statutory offence, which means it doesn't appear on CRB checks and need never affect you going abroad (eg the USA) or applying for jobs of any description. I got this info from the courtroom itself. You only have a problem if within 5 years you commit a similar offence, in which case they'll likely chuck the book at you.

In summary - be careful out there, but don't get stressed about TFL's bullying tactics. It costs them a lot more money than they make out of it, and it is solely to make examples of white middle class people. It does not make you a criminal, and has no impact unless you are a serial fare dodger who is likely to get caught again, so just shrug and chalk it up to experience.

What it does acheive is a whoe lot of bad feelign towards TFL, which is weird for an organisation that is supposed to be serving us. I don't trust them any more, and am still plotting my revenge....

cutextra

Hi ..

I got caught using my friend's oyster today on underground
I'm stressed. I gave him reason reason that I didn't know that I can not use someone's photo card. He asked me that did my friend know that I am using his card. I answered no. inspector told me that I'll get a letter and I've to fill in what happened. he also said it comes in theft. I also asked him that what are the consequences. He answered that I may get caution, £30 fine or taken to court

Can anyone help me that
1-what reason shall I write to avoid further hassle
2-will it give any harm to my friend as I was using his card
3-will it come in my criminal record, or affect my visa extensions, or affect applying for the jobs.
4-if I get summons to go to court. Shall I go there or not ..

Please help me as I am very stressed about it ...

Thanks

FARE-COP

Go to this site where specialist advice is available and have a look at the advice given there http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/public-transport-trains-tubes/ I think you will find that these threads answer all of your questions.