Someone may try to make a fake ticket for reasons like saving money or not having to pay the full fare. Regardless of the motivation, making a fake train ticket is against the law and can lead to fines or even jail time.
How to make a fake train ticket
Here’s how people typically make fake train tickets:
1. Find a real train ticket sample
The first step is to find a real train ticket sample that can be used as a guide to creating the phony train ticket.
The name and number of the train, the stations where it leaves and arrives, the seat number, the price, and the date of travel will all be included on this sample ticket.
2. Use an existing train ticket template
One of the simplest ways to make a fake train ticket is to search for a template online and customize it to include the required information.
These templates can be obtained with a quick online search, and they often include all of the relevant info, including departure and arrival times, ticket number, and fares.
Then, people can use photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop to change the information to fit their needs.
Someone can create faux train tickets using Canva ticket maker.
Here are the steps to make a fake train ticket:
- Enter the destination. They enter the location to travel to.
- Enter the train schedule. Look up the train schedule for the desired route to see what trains are available and when.
- Select the train ticket. Choose the type of ticket you want, such as one-way, round-trip, or multi-trip.
- Choose the travel class. Select the class of travel, such as first class, second class, or sleeper class.
Finally, they take the train ticket to the station to board the train.
3. Print the ticket
After the template has been changed, it can be printed on a high-quality printer using card stock or paper that looks like the material used for real train tickets.
Many train companies use holograms, watermarks, and other security features on their tickets. This makes it hard to make a fake ticket that looks just like a real one.
4. Create a barcode
An important part of a faux train ticket is the barcode, which is used to scan the ticket and verify its authenticity.
Many people who make fake tickets try to make their own barcodes or find online barcode generators. However, train companies use systems to check tickets, and fake barcodes are often easy to spot.
5. Change an already-existing ticket
Another way to make a fake train ticket is to change the info on an existing ticket. For example, someone might change the date or destination on a real ticket and try to use it for a different journey. This method requires a real ticket to be changed while still making the train ticket look real.
6. Using a ticket generator program
Some people might try to make a fake ticket using software that generates tickets.
These programs can be found online, and they usually let people enter the details of their trip, such as the departure and arrival times, and print out a ticket.
Train companies can often find these programs easily, and using them can lead to serious problems.
7. Print the ticket
After they’ve added the security features and customized the ticket, they review and print it. To ensure that the ticket looks real, they use high-quality paper and a high-resolution printer.
The last step is to travel by train using a fake ticket to avoid the fares. It’s risky though because if they get caught, they could face serious legal consequences, such as fines and jail time.
8. Buy fakes on Etsy
People often buy fakes or replicas on websites like Etsy, and train tickets are no exception. However, buying fake tickets is illegal and can lead to fines or other punishments if caught by the police.
It turns out that selling fake train tickets can be lucrative. For example, in 2019, police smashed a gang that sold fake train tickets worth £18 million after a year-long investigation following a tip-off from rail staff.
Also, fake tickets on Etsy are often of low quality and may not work.
Can you fake a train ticket?
Counterfeiting train tickets is possible just like any other ticket, whether it be for a concert ticket or any other occasion such as football events. Train tickets, in paper form, do not possess any special or unique qualities that would make them any harder to fake than any other ticket.
Nevertheless, train ticketing systems have measures in place to detect fake tickets, and attempting to use one can result in prosecution for fraud and other related offenses. Thus, it is better to purchase a genuine ticket from a legitimate source to avoid any legal issues. You might end up spending more money on fines than if you bought a genuine train ticket.
What happens if you get caught with a fake train ticket?
A fake train ticket could get you in trouble if you are caught with it. Using a fake train ticket can result in fines, criminal charges, and a court appearance, but the exact penalties depend on the country and the jurisdiction.
In some cases, the crime could be seen as a form of fraud and could lead to jail time. Using a fake train ticket can also hurt your reputation and make it hard for you to travel in the future. To stay out of trouble with the law, it is always best to buy a real ticket from a reliable source.
Read also: phony flight confirmation tickets are easy to make
How are train tickets scanned?
Train tickets are typically scanned using a barcode reader or a magnetic stripe reader. The barcode or magnetic stripe contains information about the ticket, such as the type of ticket, the date and time of travel, and the route.
Which typed of printer is used for printing tickets at railway station?
At railway stations, thermal printers are commonly used for printing train tickets. Thermal printers use heat to transfer ink onto special heat-sensitive paper, making them well-suited for use in railway stations and other busy public places.
Conclusion
The reason for the increase in train ticket prices is due to the difficulty in distinguishing between a genuine ticket and a faux one. As someone who knows a lot about TOCs (Train Operating Companies), I can attest to the complex nature of the ticketing systems that vary between TOCs. Be advised that attempting to use a fake train ticket is illegal and could result in prosecution for traveling with a valid ticket, as well as fraud and other charges.
