Hi all
Got stopped using my fathers freedom pass on TFL services which was given to me before starting work in London.
I didn't think much of it and have been using it since probably twice a week on average.
Up to this point I had been using it and even when asked by staff in the past on DLR to scan the card I had scanned in with I had been showing them the staff pass so really didn't think anything of it.
However, today I was stopped after going through a barrier and quickly realised that I was in the wrong by the tone of the member of staff (this has now been furthered by researching the severity on forums and threads like these). During the conversation with the member of staff I didn't disclose how long I had been using the pass for or the amount of times, but he assumed I was visiting London due to the address on my driving license and I didn't correct him played along with this (don't really know why just kind of froze). He confiscated the pass, I gave him my details and now I can expect a letter in the post in the next couple of days according to the staff member.
As far as reasoning goes for the use of the pass naivety is definitely at play (obviously not an excuse as I should have read the Ts & Cs) and obviously the main reason is the cost of living and as someone who has constantly been in their overdraft since the move the pass has helped me get to and from work without the extra worry of transport. Further to this I am genuinely remorseful for what I have done as now I have researched where the funding comes for such passes I am truly ashamed. Again, I know I'm stupid for not knowing this in the first place.
I am just creating this thread pre-emptively as I await the letter. There are mixed outcomes from what I can see but having a job which requires DBS and a profession which has no tolerance for this type of conviction if it goes this far I am very concerned with what may happen if this goes to court and criminal charges are brought against me.
Thanks in advance for any help that you may be able to give.