Wrong fare fine sent after oral ID check on Tampere tram

A fare inspection fine was sent to the wrong person in Tampere after a passenger provided incorrect personal details verbally to a ticket inspector, Yle reports.

The recipient filed a correction request with the city in April, citing identity theft, but the request was rejected in July for being submitted late. Corrections must be sought within 14 days of the fine being issued.

The fine was mailed in September last year. The recipient lost their credit rating after receiving the bill and demanded both its cancellation and the restoration of their credit history. A police report on identity theft was attached, but authorities halted the investigation, stating it was impossible to determine who had given the complainant’s details to the inspector.

Riikka Salkonen, customer account manager for Tampere regional public transport operator Nysse, confirmed that passengers without ID may provide personal details orally. Inspectors are expected to verify the information against the population register at the time of inspection.

“Providing false personal details is a crime. These cases are relatively rare,” Salkonen said.

If a person receives a fare fine in error, they must file a correction with the city and prove they were not using public transport at the time.