Someone gave my name in when they got caught on the train without a ticket

[just Scott]

Got a letter today from merseyrail saying I need to pay a £75 fine for not buying a ticket and using the train 11 days ago. I'm 100% certain I haven't been on a train for months and someone has just given my name in.

How hard is it to get this sorted? Anyone been in a situation like this? Their phones aren't open till monday.

 

[Dmack]

just prove you weren't there

 

[ChrisJSY]

You assume it's even real?
Personally I'd bin it, but that's me.

 

[Pestilence]

Ever wake up in strange places and wonder how you got there?

No? Probably not you, then. Ignore it.

 

[Resident]

Wait till Monday. Don't phone the number on the letter, use the number on their website.

If it is genuine then personally I'd start looking at those people around you. Whoever is was knows your name and home address so I would say it's likely someone you know.

 

[Hades]

I'd write a letter back (recorded delivery) stating that I was not on their train, did not incur a fine, that they have the incorrect details and that I do not owe them any money.

Then ignore further letters.

 

[Vertiginous]

Ive had this before, Just told them i havnt used the train and said they can check cctv from the stations to prove im right, havnt heard from them since

 

[dbmzk1]

Indeed it's up to them to prove you were there, rather than for you to prove you were not. Inform them it wasn't you as suggested and ignore and relax

 

[just Scott]

Cheers guys. The number on the letter isn't listed here: http://www.merseyrail.org/contact.html

So I've got a feeling the letter might not even be real. I'll phone up the number on the site on monday but this is probably a scam at this point.

 

[timebomb26]

The very rare occasions I've seen someone's name being taken for a fine they've always asked to see some ID from the person.

 

[Freddie1980]

If they ask to see your ticket your not obglied to show it to anyone just as much not not obglied to give your name.

 

[bLinK]

Send them a letter back proving that you weren't there.

 

[Vulcan]

Send them a letter back proving that you weren't there.

And how will he do that exactly?

I'm laughing at all the lawyer comments in this thread about writing letters etc.

The best tip a lawyer will ever give is: "Don't say anything."

So do just that, ignore it.

 

[Pawnless Endgame]

I thought it was an on-the-spot fine if you are caught without a ticket? Usually £20 or cost of ticket, whichever is the highest of the 2.

 

[[TW]Fox]

If they ask to see your ticket your not obglied to show it to anyone

This is complete rubbish.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I thought it was an on-the-spot fine if you are caught without a ticket? Usually £20 or cost of ticket, whichever is the highest of the 2.

It is, but if you've not got £20 they'll take your details.

 

[[TW]Fox]

The best tip a lawyer will ever give is: "Don't say anything."

So do just that, ignore it.

This is a ridiculous peice of advice in my opinion - if you just ignore it they won't go away (At the moment they don't know it isn't you they are after) and it will eventually end up in court, where you'll be obliged to attend, all for the sake of not dealing with it early on. This sort of thing does happen from time to time - contact them, explain it wasn't you, then re-evaluate the best steps to take next based on the outcome of the conversation/correspondance. You are hardly incriminating yourself by doing so given you were not even on the train!

 

[Nitefly]

Fox > Denning + Bingham combined in their fusion form.

 

[cjgardens]

Sounds like you have good friends

 

[Efour]

kill their family