Use of Freedom Pass - false information given to inspector

[yayd]

Good evening,

 

I have used my mothers freedom pass for the last two weeks as this months wages were not enough to cover the cost of nursery, rent, bills and travel. I usually have a monthly travel card but could not manage it this month. 
 

When stopped with the pass, I had covered it with a sticker, when asked for details I gave false information twice. I know it’s stupid! I was just really scared. When asked how often I used it I said 1 day, but I have used it a few times over the past 2 weeks. 
 

As someone who pays for all of my travel, I don’t intend to deceive or not pay for travel, I just literally can not afford to travel to work this month, but obviously need to travel to work to pay for rent, nursery, bills etc. 

 

I regret lying but it was all so public, I felt humiliated and scared. What will happen next? Will this result in a criminal record? I need a DBS to work and am terrified this will result in me losing my job! 
 

Many thanks in advance!

 

[dx100uk]

What happened to your mums pass, did they take it or get her address from it?

 

Dx

[yayd]

They have the pass, I handed it over as soon as they asked for it. I also gave them my correct details when I came to my senses! 

[dx100uk]

Ok.

Await the letter if one comes . They have 6mts.

 

Get reading up like threads here

Ive moved you to the public transport forum.

 

Click public transport up the top under by (your. Username)..

 

Dx

[yayd]

Thank you. I have read few a few of them and am feeling pretty resigned to being taken to magistrates. I am open, and grateful, to any guidance up until that point! 

[dx100uk]

the best guidance is read as many thread here as you can.

 

everything you are ever going to ask or need to know is already here 100's of times.

 

comeback if you do get a letter..dx.

[yayd]

I have received the letter and attached it to this post.

 

Below is what I intend to send back with evidence. Please give any advice. 
 

I hope to provide the evidence to show that the use of the pass was not one of planning and deceit, but a poor decision made out of desperation. I am a single working mother of a 1 year old who has found myself increasingly struggling, and falling into debt, due to the cost of living. I have no criminal convictions, as seen on the clear DBS, included. I am a teacher, and should I receive a criminal record, could lose my job and future employment opportunities. The sense of shame and regret I feel is all pervading.

 

‘I have attached proof that for January, February and March I had purchased a zone 1-5 travel card. This month however, the universal credit contribution towards child care that I am entitled to did not cover the dates, and therefore the cost, leaving me £250 short for my bills and expenses, resulting in exceeding my overdraft limit and incurring fines. My mother had accidentally left her pass at my house when supporting me with childcare. When using the pass, I felt a great deal of shame for going behind my mothers back, and not being able to pay for my own fares. I am a proud person who wants to live honestly, working to provide for myself and my child and this behaviour is so far from the way I wish to live my life, or the example I want to set for my child. 

 

This poor decision making has been a result of the deterioration of my mental health due to financial strain, with my depression and anxiety increasingly impacting my day to day life and ability to leave the house to complete simple tasks. I have been so fearful of the consequences of not attending work, that I failed to consider the consequences of using the pass. The decision to use the pass was foolish and selfish, not taking into account the impact on TfL, and other fare payers; if everyone acted in the same way as I did, it would decimate TfL and I am truly embarrassed and ashamed to have contributed to TfL’s financial burden. 

 

I am truly sorry to have acted dishonestly, against an organisation that works so hard to provide an affordable and reliable service for all Londoners, something I value so greatly. I am also terrified that this lapse in judgement is going to leave me without a job, and therefore an income and way of supporting my child. The sense of shame and regret I feel is all pervading. I have been unable to eat, sleep or think of anything else since the pass was confiscated. I am hoping it will be possible to settle out of court, to show my remorse to TfL without obliterating mine and my daughter’s future. 

 

Sincerely’