Luton Woman Challenges Fine Following Identity Misuse for Rail Fare Evasion

A woman who was wrongly penalized for traveling without a train ticket states that improved identity verification procedures are needed for individuals apprehended by ticket inspectors. Loretta Cawcutt, 55, from Farley Hill, Luton, became aware of the penalty only when she observed monthly deductions from her universal credit. Another woman had fraudulently used Ms. Cawcutt’s name when an inspector stopped her at St Albans station in June 2023 for not possessing a valid ticket. A spokesperson for Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) said: “We are extremely saddened to hear of this sickening fraud which has obviously caused so much distress to Ms Cawcutt. Sadly, we had no idea someone had used her name.” Ms. Cawcutt mentioned that she rarely used rail transport, stating, “the only time I have ever been on a train in the last 10 years was to watch Luton Town at Wembley”. She discovered approximately a year after the other woman committed the offense that she had been taken to court and sentenced in her absence, receiving a fine of £484. She had not received any court correspondence because it had been sent to an incorrect address. The fine has been deducted from her universal credit at a rate of about £20 each month. Ms. Cawcutt reported that upon contacting the court, she was informed: “You would not believe the number of cases we get like this.” She has submitted a photograph of herself along with her passport details to the court and is awaiting an update. If that evidence is not accepted, she will be required to make a statutory declaration and appear in court to swear under oath that she did not commit the offense. “I cannot tell you the anguish and stress I am feeling and how this needs to be exposed to stop other innocent people going through the same process,” she said. A GTR spokesperson stated: “We have provided details on how she can appeal the magistrates’ court decision by providing a statutory declaration that she was unaware of the case. It can then be reset and resolved.”