Caught using a Freedom Pass - poss 75 uses

[js8533340]

Hi everyone, I recently got caught using my mother’s freedom pass and I have received a letter from the ‘Investigations Appeals and Prosecution Team. I am really scared and had no idea about the magnitude of the situation.

Incident in summary is as follows:

 

I was stopped inside the gate area using my mother’s person’s freedom pass to travel at Piccadilly Underground Station. As soon as I tapped in for the start of the journey using the freedom pass a ticket inspector asks to see what I used. I immediately showed her the Freedom Pass and answered her questions. In my naivety, I thought given it is my moms, it was already and really did not know the seriousness of the whole situation.

 

I would like to start off with that I now know what I did was extremely wrong and seriousness of what is happening to me as outlined in various forums and internet research. Had I known all this prior I would have never touched the pass in the first place.  

 

Wise after the event, I regret my actions deeply and I want to approach the incident with all honesty. I used my contactless card for my journey into work and used the freedom for my journey back. However, the incident in questions refers to a leisure journey on a day off whereby, I had to run an errand in London.  After liaising with the officer in a respectful and corporative way, she escorted me outside the barriers, and I used my bankcard to enter.

 

I have been doing endless of research on the CAG Threads and understand that each case is different, and the outcomes can vary severely from being let off with a warning and going all the way to court to try and settle at the very last stage prior to walking into the hearing.

 

I have drafted the following letter in reply and would your thoughts on it and if you have any advice for me. I am working in financial services sector full time; I have just taken out a mortgage and the sole income earner taking caring of my mom and receiving a criminal record will have serious ramifications on my career and will certainly have to disclose same and eventually lose my job.

 

To whom may concern,

 

Thank you for your letter dated Tuesday 10^th May 2022.

 

Firstly, I would like to state for record that I sincerely apologise for my regretful actions in this case for which I am extremely ashamed and sorry of this situation.

 

As the only owner of my household, looking after my mom who is unemployed, she is reliant on me for bills, food, and household support. Should this matter be to escalate further into court it would compromise my employment as it is requiring a high level of integrity and a conviction for the criminal offence is likely to affect my future. This will be devastating as I am the sole provider of income.

 

I just have just taken out a mortgage, currently working in finance and simultaneously funding myself in further education to help increase my ability to aid for my family. I am extremely sorry for using my mother’s freedom pass. I was very compliant and gave all requested information to the officer at the gate. I asked officer if could be let out of the designated area, so that I could then tap in my contactless payment card to continue my journey home. I have since used my contactless payment card and purchased a season pass (attached) for any subsequent journeys on TFL and other modes of public transport.

 

I want to stretch my apologies to members of staff concerned and to TFL. I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience caused to all parties involved. I have never been in trouble with the law in the past and ensure I will not be in the future either. A valid ticket will be always produced and again I am deeply sorry for the situation caused my actions and momentary lapse in judgement.

 

I am very much obliged to make any immediate payment towards all reasonable costs that the TFL deems fit due to my actions. I would wholeheartedly appreciate if I could be given a chance for redemption that will allow me to continue my work and help provide for my mother.

 

I understand that fare evasion is a serious matter and hope you will consider avoiding the mutual inconvenience and hassle of court to settle this matter privately.

 

Yours Faithfully,

[dx100uk]

so prior to this leisure use detection...

when was the time previous you used it travelling back from work & for how many weeks did you do this?

and ofcourse the data on your to work card will obviously corelate with these dates?

[js8533340]

Hi Dx100uk, The previous day was the last time I used it for work and I have probably used it for approx 15 weeks. Since the incident, my mind has completely gone and just thinking about it all causes me to panic. I can't quite seem to remember an previous details. 

 

 

[dx100uk]

urm so some possible 75 uses they could pin on you if they look at the freedom pass's history and the other card you used and put them together.

 

i will guess your letter says:

 

On (insert date) you were reported to transport for London (TFL) for an offence(s) on the TFL public transport network. The facts of this incident are being considered and I must advise legal proceedings may be taken against you in accordance with transport for london's prosecution policy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[js8533340]

Correct.

However, I used my bank card immediately after and they can check that but I rarely use it for public transport and I do have a normal oyster card that I use for work but I think its registered in my brother name not mine.

 

How should I proceed with it all?

 

Correction. The Oyster card is registered to me but I did not use it on that day.  

Edited May 13, 2022 by js8533340

[honeybee13]

This seems to be turning into a bit of a tangled web. Why have you got a card in someone else's name please? Or has that changed now?

 

But it sounds as if you don't know whose card you're using and I'm confused. 

 

HB

[js8533340]

Hi Honeybee13, Apologies for the confusion,

 

Initially I had a standard blue oyster-card that was at home and I used it for travel after an incident whereby, i mistakenly bought the wrong ticket using the kiosk, I was told by the TFL staff that the card was registered in my brothers name.

 

Since, I corrected the issue and the card is in fact in my name.

 

I forgot about that and wanted to correct my statement to ensure the facts are properly presented. 

 

 

 

TFL Letter bothsides.pdf

[dx100uk]

your outbound journey's to work......

who was registered for the card used each day of the inbound to home fraudulent use of this freedom pass ?

 

you need to be sure where you stand with regard to the data they could gather to ascertain how many times you committed fraud, and thus how you reply. you should never lie but you should also not tell them anything they might not already know.

[js8533340]

The oyster card used for the outbound journey was registered to me and the freedom pass used for the inbound journey was registered to my mother. 

 

What are your thoughts regarding the draft letter? 

[honeybee13]

5 minutes ago, js8533340 said:

The oyster card used for the outbound journey was registered to me and the freedom pass used for the inbound journey was registered to my mother. 

 

What are your thoughts regarding the draft letter? 

 

It looks like a standard letter. I can't remember what they ask on the reverse, can you remind us please?

 

HB

[js8533340]

Kindly see reverse of the letter. 

 

 

TFL Letter bothsides.pdf

[honeybee13]

Thank you.

 

So are you replying in your own name? And are you using reason 1, 2 or 3 from their form?

 

HB

[js8533340]

I will be replying in my own name and option 2. 

[dx100uk]

i think your letter is ok. you've not dobbed yourself in

lets see what they say.

 

ive remove the case number from your letter and upload name as its not a good idea to give them clues.

 

dx

 

[js8533340]

Thanks dx100Uk and honeybee13. 
 

I have submitted my letter via the post. From experience do you know how long they take to respond? Also, do you think I should send an electronic copy? 

[dx100uk]

It does state to do that on the letter...

[js8533340]

Hi All, 

 

I received the attached in reply to my response drafted. Starting to get really scared about the next steps. 
 

The letter states that I knew what I was doing and the effects that it will have on my job and did it anyway. However, that is really not the case. I didn’t know how serious all this can get.
 

Any idea what I should do next? 
 

regards, 

 

 

Thank you for responding to our enquiry letter, we have read and noted your comments..pdf

[honeybee13]

Hi.

 

When you say it really isn't the case, what do you mean please? They seem to have gone back over the history of the use of this card and identified a number of similar or identical journeys.

 

HB

[dx100uk]

Write a new letter addressing their concerns,  

 

Dx

[js8533340]

Hi Honeybee13, 

 

Thank you for replying. 

 

Correct,  that is the case. However, my actions are not justified in the way they have described. I really did not know the seriousness of all this and it involves criminal prosecution etc.  Only after the act, I came to know and realized the gravity of the situation.  

 

I really do not know how to proceed, and scared that I will lose my job. My actions were really stupid and my naivety  for the whole situation. 

 

 

Thanks DX. Please can you delete my post made an hour ago #17? Include my identity and wanted to remain anonymous. 

Apologies for any inconvenience caused. 

[honeybee13]

Then as dx says, you write another grovelling letter. I believe TfL are looking for genuine remorse for having misused public money that is meant for vulnerable people. Also that the fare dodger isn't going to do the same thing again.

 

That seems to be your only chance to convince them. Why didn't you know what the terms of a Freedom pass are? I believe also that it says on the back it should only be used by the person who has a photocard that's linked to the pass.

 

HB

 

 

[honeybee13]

1 minute ago, js8533340 said:

Thanks DX. Please can you delete my post made an hour ago? Include my identity and wanted to remain anonymous. 

Apologies for any inconvenience caused. 

 

I can't see your ID on that document.

 

HB

[js8533340]

It is not in the document, I signed the post off in my name. 

[honeybee13]

Post altered.

 

HB

[dx100uk]

I notice in your 1st letter you say i am the only owner on my household..did you mean earner?

 

Dx