Money Moral Dilemma: I'm a rail worker – should I report my friend for dodging fares?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

I've recently learned one of my friends has been deliberately evading train fares for some time by 'short faring' - buying tickets for only part of the journeys he makes. Should I report him to the train firm concerned, which could lead to him being issued a penalty fare notice or even being taken to court? Or should I turn a blind eye as he's a friend, even though he's effectively damaging the industry I work in?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't answer Money Moral Dilemma questions as contributions are emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value. Remember that behind each dilemma there is a real person so, as the forum rules say, please keep it kind and keep it clean.

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tony_c_4

I wouldn't report him but would have a conversation reminding him of the possible consequences should he be arrested for fare dodging.
Criminal record etc.

proton5

Ultimately this is fraud.  You aren’t defrauding the Rail Company or the Government. You are defrauding the tax payer you claim to care about. Bottom line we pay for it

2702

Wow some comment above. Never knew there were so many people who are happy to rob taxpayers and justify it by saying the fat cats get it.
This is why the country is in a mess as no one is prepared to call out the the thieves under the cloak of being a grass!
This is why the taxpayers end up carrying all you non grassers who like to blame everyone else for you helping yourselves.

Attitude

Yes ,it is fraud ,friend or not 

mark_cycling00

He's lucky he could catch a train!

I'd stay close to him and find out when they're actually running...

Southendormargate

If you are considering grassing you are not a friend

Rd1994

What will you benefit from grassing him up? I’m sure you feel annoyed that hes cheating the system but you won’t benefit anything from telling on him?

quartile

The fraud teams on the railway do look for this type of fare dodging.

This guy got caught after fare dodging for years. He then got a ban from his line of work as he wasn't a "fit and proper person".

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/dec/15/ca-ban-43000-fare-dodger-financial-services-industry-blackrock-jonathan-burrows

rhialwencomp

Hell no! Listen, grassing is exclusively for a) revenge or b) saving your own skin.
And it's admirable to not use those opportunities either.
If there's nothing you're getting out of it then you're just a terrible person and a worse friend.

VikEw

Your friend is a thief.  He is stealing from every tax payer , train user and employee of the railways (including you).  Being a thief is never acceptable behaviour and you should call him or her out and report them.