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

Merseyrail ticket inspectors have small video cams on there jacket, and there is also 2 cams in each carrage on the train, not too mention 100's of cams at the station and platforms.

They also take a description of the person when they issue penatly fare.

You should be fine, just speak to them and get them to check.
 
If they have a picture than why on earth is the passport and dvla database not checked, rather than wasting time and money sending letters on a whim?

The situation is absurd, by simply asking name and address they open themselves to making wrongful accusations and the criminal simply getting off scott free because they have no idea who he is. Common sense would dictate arresting them at the scene if they cannot pay or provide proper id.
 
Energize said:
If they have a picture than why on earth is the passport and dvla database not checked, rather than wasting time and money sending letters on a whim?
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Really? For a start you'd probably be the first person to whinge with lots of 'APALLING' and 'WOEFUL' hyperbole if they *were* allowed access to such information at stage 1 without any court involvement, secondly many people have neither a passport nor a driving license anyway.

Even the police don't cross reference the photograph they take as evidence with sources like this to identify you when they send you a fixed penalty notice of speeding, by post. If somebody else is driving your car and you are totally innocent, if you just totally ignore all corrospondance you'll end up in court. Similar thing really.

The situation is absurd, by simply asking name and address they open themselves to making wrongful accusations and the criminal simply getting off scott free because they have no idea who he is. Common sense would dictate arresting them at the scene if they cannot pay or provide proper id.
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Carrying identification is not a legal requirement in this country. If it was I'd imagine the 'OMG OUR RIGHTS IGNORE THE LETTER' crew would be first in line for an anti-ID-card flag for the protest marches. So they judge each case on its merit - if they suspect that the person is being untruthful, they may take a different line. But if they don't - then they won't. They take the name and address, pop a thingy in the post and 90% of people will rightfully pay up and thats the end.

And when they get it wrong, the wrongfully accused gives them a quick telephone call, has a chat about the situation, and more often than not, it goes no further once it becomes obvious they've got the wrong person.

Wheresa if you just ignore it, as is your 'right', you will have your day in court, as is your 'right'. Not very pragmatic really and a massive waste of time for the OP.
 
Many years ago I had Serco, the company the runs the Metrolink in Manchester chasing me.

I had a valid ticket but got off the tram one stop after what my ticket said, the value of the ticket was the same for both journeys but technically the ticket was not valid for the journey I made.

There was no common sense from Serco, the ticket was invalid and they wanted to fine me.

I say deal with it ASAP.
 
I know its the wrong thing to do, but personally I would have ignored it as I wouldn't bother wasting my time calling them up for their silliness, and if they took me to court I would deny receiving it, I would get the day off work plus costs and have an interesting experience.
 
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ubersonic said:
I know its the wrong thing to do, but personally I would have ignored it as I wouldn't bother wasting my time calling them up for their silliness, and if they took me to court I would deny receiving it, I would get the day off work plus costs and have an interesting experience.
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Why would you get a day off plus costs, you may lose a days pay, get to court and the judge say why didn't you just inform them it wasnt you and saved everyone a lot of time, money and hassle. No guarantee you would get anything financial and just a day of hassle instead.

Really it's not hard, tell them it's not you and move on, everyone has more inportant things they can be doing.
 
Frodo1805 said:
not true.

I have had this happen to me, just ignore it, they will go away.
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Have to agree with Fox, unless this is just a random scam. In which case it will probably just go away.

But if it is a genuine attempt to recover a 'debt', then these companies don't just go away. At least, not without hassling you as much as possible and sending threats along the way.

I'd agree that in some cases they do eventually 'go away' before it goes to court. But if you want to get them off your back, then a well worded response will clear things up a lot more quickly. Some people don't like being constantly threatened with fines, or court action, even if they are just hollow threats.

I don't see why you wouldn't just send a letter and get things sorted sooner rather than later.
 
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ubersonic said:
I know its the wrong thing to do, but personally I would have ignored it as I wouldn't bother wasting my time calling them up for their silliness, and if they took me to court I would deny receiving it, I would get the day off work plus costs and have an interesting experience.
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Deny receiving it? You'd lie in court then?
 
My brother went through a similar situation but it was a fine for littering in public. It took a bit of arguing but eventually the believed that it wasn't him, and apparently they then were on the lookout for whoever gave his name so that they could have him arrested for impersonating another person, or something. So it may be worth letting them know that it wasn't actually you.
 
Ah MerseyFail, what a fantastic company. It won't be a scam, all they do when you don't have a ticket (or have your feet on the seats) is check the name and address you give against a database and then send the letter demanding money. I've seen people give false names before and get away with it when I used to get the train from Birkenhead to Ellesmere Port for work. Good luck trying to persuade them that it wasn't you.
 
Write them a letter stating it wasn't you.

Include a note stating further correspondence will be charged at £35/letter and phone communication at your standard consultancy rates of £250/day or part thereof.

If they continue to use your services then invoice them at the advertised rates.

That's how these things work isn't it?
 
Quick update for you guys. It's a good thing I didn't ignore it because it was a real letter.

I phoned up and they told me the description of the person that got caught. 5'7, skinhead, quite scruffy looking, stubble.

Me: 6', medium build/not skinny, longish hair and I like to think I'm not scruffy looking >.>

They told me to send the letter back with an accompanying letter with my description. So I should be fine.
 
H2F Scott said:
Quick update for you guys. It's a good thing I didn't ignore it because it was a real letter.

I phoned up and they told me the description of the person that got caught. 5'7, skinhead, quite scruffy looking, stubble.

Me: 6', medium build/not skinny, longish hair and I like to think I'm not scruffy looking >.>

They told me to send the letter back with an accompanying letter with my description. So I should be fine.
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Well done. Amazing how dealing with the matter in a calm sensible way works... whereas if you had taken some of the advice in this thread :rolleyes:

Also goes to show that the ticket inspector didn't just take a name and an address.......
 
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