used an oyster card i found - got caught - now TFL - verification letter - help

[sam bello]

Hello

I received a verification letter from Tfl.

 

I was using an oyster I found on the station floor. I know it was a mistake. I have to answer the letter with my version.

 

I'm at a loss as to what I should say in this case to avoid going to court.

 

Have you ever seen a similar case?

[mantis shrimp]

When did you find it? How many times did you use it? 

[dx100uk]

Ive moved your thread to our transport forum.

 

Plenty of like threads here.

 

Give us a bit more info on the history of your use of the card and if there will be a pattern to your use.

 

Dx

[BazzaS]

Most cases it is a friend or relatives pass and people can try to claim they didn’t realise it wasn’t permitted, or they thought it didn’t cost anyone anything.

 

Even for those people buying 16-18 cards based on fake supporting evidence they can point to the suppliers adverts trying to persuade them it is legal.

 

But you found a lost pass?

What actually happened? (They wouldn’t usually have a reasons to check unless it was a discretionary pass, one with a photocard (that wasn’t your photo?)

 

If you don’t know what to say I’m a bit stuck coming up with lies for you.

Discretionary pass? If it really was lost (and not a friend / relative): double bad, not only were you defrauding TfL but also not getting it returned to the pass holder who may well have relied on it.

 

What if it wasn’t a discretionary pass? Used someone’s PAYG Oyster card : that is like finding a bank card and using it. You know it isn’t yours and your are using up the value stored on it : theft, plain & simple.

 

I note you seem sorry to have been caught, but I can’t see much remorse for wrong doing, only your concern of the effects on you. So, I’m struggling to come up with anything positive. Maybe I could with more details, but equally the details might be equally damning!

Edited June 29, 2022 by BazzaS