60+ Oyster card - months of misuse **SETTLED BY formal warning and pay a fine**

[Tfluser]

Hi CAG members,

 I was caught using my mothers 60+ Oyster card a few days ago. 
when I passed the barriers the officer asked me to show the ticket I clicked with.

 

I got nervous and scared and showed him my bank card but then he said to show the ticket I clicked with. I then gave the oyster. 
I have been using the card for a few months. 

i am really ashamed of what I have done. I want to seek your help in how I should approach this situation. 
I am 45 years old with 2 children.

 

Having a criminal record will have a massive impact T on my life as the sector I work in requires enhanced DBS. I had not realised the implications of my action until I read all the threads on this group. 
 

I was struggling with the increased cost of living, energy bills, daughter university expenses. In addition I am post menopausal, and suffering from anxiety as I have had 2 cancer scares and undergone hysteroscopy.

 

But these are not any excuses for my action. 
 

I am feeling very ashamed. 
 

please can you help me in how I should respond to the letter. 

The letter mentions just the date on the offence. However, I did tell the officer that I was using the card for a few / couple of months.

 

i also intend on buying a monthly travel card for my journey. 
 

I profoundly apologised to the officer . 
 I am so scared and worried. 
 

please help. 

new doc 2023-05-05 18.12.40.pdf

[Tfluser]

Thank you BankFodder.

I told the officer that my mother was not aware that I was using her card. 
I will be open and honest in my reply. 
I am really scared and anxious about prosecution and mainly criminal charges. 
what else can I add to minimise the effect.

 

[Tfluser]

Thank you dx100uk

Do you mean in my response letter, I shouldn’t mention past usage , just answer for the day in question?

would it be ok for me to post a draft letter for the group members to proof read and offer suggestions? 
the letter was dated yesterday? When they say 10 days so they mean 10 working or calendar days for a response?

 

thank you

[Tfluser]

Hi fellow members,

I have read quite a few threads on this forum and drafted my response to the verification letter.

 

Please may I kindly ask if you could read it and advise on any feedback/improvement to the letter.

 

The thought of prosecution is making me really anxious and stressed. 

 

Dear TFL,

 

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to explain my actions.

 

Firstly, I would like to apologise to TFL, the members of staff concerned and to the public for the time and administration costs that my actions have caused. I understand that the TFL services can only operate if everyone pays there fare and I feel guilty about attempting to breech this public trust.

 

My actions are inexcusable and I am extremely regretful of my mistake. Reflecting back on my actions, I feel ashamed, anxious and have had sleepless nights, unable to focus on anything.

 

Whilst this is no excuse, as the main provider of my family, the pressure of rising cost of living, having to make difficult decisions between heating and eating coupled with the diminished mental wellbeing caused by the early onset of menopause, has made me take decisions that I would not take under normal circumstances. For such actions, I truly and wholeheartedly apologise. My family is reliant on me for bills, food and household support. I am also undergoing medical issues: I have had two cancer referrals and hysteroscopy and biopsy to eliminate cancer. Therefore, if this matter were to escalate further into court, it would compromise my employment which requires a high level of integrity. A conviction for a criminal offence is likely to affect my future with my career. This will be devastating to my family and I for the economic, social and emotional reasons stated.

 

My children have also been under immense stress since receiving the letter, fearing the consequences for the family. I am also carrying this additional guilt for putting my children and family through additional stress.

 

I have never had any kind of trouble with the law before and I will ensure that this will not happen ever again in the future. To ensure this, I have bought a monthly travel-card which I will be using for all my travel. I have learnt my lesson and so I vow that I will not do this ever again. The fear, shock and the reality of the consequences will deter me from such actions.

 

Whilst my words above to do not act as an excuse and I take full responsibility for my actions, I hope it is possible to understand how a criminal prosecution would be detrimental to my family and I. Therefore, I am happy to make immediate payment of all unpaid fares plus any incurred cost that my actions have caused.

 

I also hope that I have explained myself well and provided enough evidence. If anything further is required from me to reach your decision, please let me know.

 

Ultimately, I would like to reiterate how deeply sorry and regretful I am for what I have done and I would like to assure the TFL and the government that I will never do such a thing again. I have learnt from my mistake. Everyone deserve a second chance and I am hoping I will get one to make things right.

 

Thank you.

 

Kind regards,

 

Thank you for your time.

[Tfluser]

Thank you dx and honeybee for your feedback. 
 

should I omit that paragraph or change to family instead of children?

 

I will also rephrase the sentence regarding “happy”.

once these changes are made, should I email them with a pdf copy of the letter which included the case number and other information from the verification letter, medical evidence and proof of monthly card purchase or should I hand write the letter on the verification form and send that as en email attachment?

 

thank you once again. 

[Tfluser]

Thank you. 
 

Please can you also advise on how should I send my response?

[Tfluser]

Thank you dx for your valuable feedback. Makes a lot more sense. 

 

Hi Fellow members,

 

I have made the changes as recommended. Please see final version. If all ok then I will send it out tomorrow.

 

Dear TFL,

 

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to explain my actions.

 

Firstly, I would like to apologise to TFL, the members of staff concerned and to the public for the time and administration costs that my actions have caused. I understand that the TFL services can only operate if everyone pays there fare and I feel guilty about attempting to breach this public trust.

 

My actions are inexcusable and I am extremely regretful of my mistake. Reflecting back on my actions, I feel ashamed, anxious and have had sleepless nights, unable to focus on anything.

 

Whilst this is no excuse, as the main provider of my family, the pressure of rising cost of living, having to make difficult decisions between heating and eating.

 

My Situation is compounded by being recently having had two cancer referrals concerning hysteroscopy and biopsy to eliminate and/or diagnose my cancer situation. This is coupled with the diminished mental wellbeing caused by early onset of menopause.

 

Although these are being dealt with by consultations with my health care professionals, I am finding everyday decision making difficult and confusing, which has never been like me under normal circumstances, though I understand fully, my current situation is no excuse for such actions and I truly and wholeheartedly apologise.

 

My family is reliant on me for bills, food and household support. : Therefore, if this matter were to escalate further into court, it would compromise my employment which requires a high level of integrity. A conviction for a criminal offence is likely to affect my future with my career. This will be devastating to my family and I for the economic, social and emotional reasons stated.

 

 

I have never had any kind of trouble with the law before and I will ensure that this will not happen ever again in the future. To ensure this, I have bought a monthly travel-card which I will be using for all my travel to ensure that I donot slip off the rails again. I have learnt my lesson and so I vow that I will not do this ever again. The fear, shock and the reality of the consequences will deter me from such actions.

 

Whilst my words above to do not act as an excuse and I take full responsibility for my actions, I hope it is possible to understand how a criminal prosecution would be detrimental to my family and I. Therefore, if TFL will allow me to make immediate payment of all unpaid fares plus admin cost that my actions have caused.

 

I also hope that I have explained myself well and provided enough evidence. If anything further is required from me to reach your decision, please let me know.

 

Ultimately, I would like to reiterate how deeply sorry and regretful I am for what I have done and I would like to assure the TFL and the government that I will never do such a thing again. I have learnt from my mistake. Everyone deserve a second chance and I am hoping I will get one to make things right.

 

Thank you.

 

Kind regards,

 

[Tfluser]

Thank you Dx. Will amend the letter as per your recommendation. 
 

I could barely sleep last night fearing the worst. I have been feeling so down and anxious. Don’t know what to do to rectify this situation. 

[Tfluser]

Yes, there will be a clear weekly pattern.

 

my mum used it very occasionally in the last 2 months.

 

How far can they go back? or is it the last 2 months?

[Tfluser]

thank you Dx and honeybee. 

 

After submission of the letter, what should my next steps be. I have read on some of the threads that I will need to send another begging letter in a coupe of weeks time.

 

Please guide me.

[Tfluser]

Thanks, Honeybee.

[Tfluser]

Hi

I should include the medical evidence as well as proof of travel card purchase with my email response, right.?

 

thanks 

[Tfluser]

Thanks DX. I have read quite a few but hadn't come across this particular one. I will send all the evidence.

[Tfluser]

Hi All, 

Is there a time frame for TFL to respond back to the initial letter? I email them 7 days ago. 
should I be  sending another email  if I do not hear from them in another week or so?

I am really very stressed and anxious. 
thanks

[Tfluser]

Hi,

I have been reading quite a few threads on this forum and there seems to be different information.

Its been 2 weeks since I have sent a begging letter. Should I send another begging letter now  or wait for their reply or send 1 in 2 weeks time when I renew my monthly travel card  with proof of renewal.

I have also been suffering from anxiety which has increased  heart beat rate for which my doctor wants to do an ECG. Not sure if I can include this along with my begging letter.

 

Please advise.

Thank you

[Tfluser]

Thanks DX

trying to stay calm

[Tfluser]

Good morning CAG members,

Have not received any response from TFL since the initial grovelling letter. Its been 1.5 months now. Should I send email asking for updates and further begging? or hold on tight?

Many thanks

[Tfluser]

Hi,

I have just received an email from the TFL.

Please see below

 

 

Thank you for your email dated the 10^th May 2023.

I am currently reviewing your case with a view to appropriate next steps and possible legal action.

TfL is concerned at the level of offending. I appreciate that date you have been up front about the use of your mothers card.

At the time of interview you had expressed a belief you had used the pass for ‘a couple of months’. Before I take further time to investigate please can you clarify if this is accurate or if it was slightly further back as is suspected. Your transparency may be of assistance.

 

Please can you advise on how to respond to this. Also,  should I get another begging letter to the prosecutor?

Many Thanks

[Tfluser]

I did tell the enforcement officer that I was using the card for a couple of months. Thinking back it may be slightly more than a couple of months. There will be a daily weekday pattern of 1 journey.

Should I say to them that it does go slightly further back than a couple of months as that is the truth.

[Tfluser]

Oyster card payment history does not go further than 2 months. Just checked my account

Honeybee,  I would say since Jan this year.

[Tfluser]

I started working in central London since 2018. I had a yearly travel card all the years until May last year. I started topping up my oyster card with cash since May last year.

[Tfluser]

Sorry i dont understand your question Honeybee. I was topping my oyster card with cash prior to Jan this year.

in my email to the prosecutor, should I mention use from Jan this year? 

Since There is a channel of communication opened with the prosecutor, should I be sending another grovelling letter with evidence of monthly passes purchased?

[Tfluser]

Thats  correct

Apart from days I have been off work

[Tfluser]

Thanks BankFodder 

I did reply to the initial question when you asked me if my mother was aware and I said that she wasn’t. 
Since the incident I have informed her. 
I have made a mistake for which I truly repent. The only reason for my question today was To make sure I am doing the correct thing. The initial advise when the first information letter came was not to tell them any more than they know.  just wanted to be sure if I should be doing that or coming out with the truth. 
 

I will be truthful and apologise for my actions. I have since had 3 monthly passes and I have just topped up my account as I am going to be on annual leave for 10 days and didn’t want to buy a monthly pass. But will buy another one when I go back to work. 

Yes Honeybee, I have been paying correct fares since the incident. I have evidence to support it. 

[Tfluser]

Thank you. Will reply to the procedures email with the information asked.