Second-hand train tickets: beware of scams involving individuals

A very popular means of transport, the train - thanks in particular to high-speed lines - makes it possible to travel to other cities or abroad quickly and easily, compared with the plane, which is more difficult to access and in most cases more expensive. However, train tickets aren't cheap, and it's tempting to use the second-hand market to prepare for your next trip. But this can be risky.

The fake train ticket scam

Whether electronic or paper, train tickets can be falsified. Crooks do not hesitate to send fake electronic tickets by email, or to sell counterfeits.

For an e-ticket, for example, which cannot be transferred, the dishonest seller will tell you that he has given your personal details when registering the ticket and will send you a falsified document. At the check-in, a different name will be displayed and you will be fined.

These scams are very difficult to detect, and are usually only discovered during a check by a ticket inspector. The penalty is twofold: the victim loses the money he or she has given to the swindler, and is fined.

More organised networks use a different stratagem that is impossible to discover:

Real counterfeit notes

The fraudster impersonated SNCF staff members in order to buy tickets at preferential rates and resell them. As only SNCF employees can use these tickets, the victim is fined. Scammers find other ways to access these "real fake tickets", which are actually issued by the SNCF but are unusable. It's a real racket.

The classic non-existent ticket scam

Quite classic, but affecting many private individuals, the swindler will simply claim to be in possession of a transport ticket, of which he will provide a photograph (of course, it's a false photo). The victim will follow the payment instructions, usually giving a PCS top-up number, and the scammer will never reply once he has the payment code.

The genuine note scam

This scam is based on people's ignorance of the limits on the use of tickets in their name. Some tickets can only be used by the person whose name appears on the ticket.

SNCF cardboard ticket

It can be transferred. It can be obtained at a station, agency or sent by post. Even if a name is indicated on it, this is in reality only a reference to the identity of the person who booked the journey. So there's no risk of a fine.

The SNCF non-nominative cardboard ticket

The latter can of course be transferred without any problem.

SNCF electronic ticket

It cannot be transferred. Whether it is on your telephone or has been printed out, the ticket inspector will ask for the identity document of the person in possession of the ticket.

Return ticket

It may be transferred provided that the passenger holds both tickets for the outward journey and the return journey. If only one ticket is in the passenger's possession, a fine will be imposed.

Unedited electronic ticket IDTGV, OUIGO...

This ticket can be sold, but beware of forgery scams. However, the seller must not provide any personal information when booking the ticket, so that it can be edited.

Electronic ticket issued by IDTGV, OUIGO...

It can be transferred, but subject to additional charges. On average, you should expect to pay between €10 and €20 for changes.

Table summarising the possibility of reselling used train tickets

Secure payment for your second-hand train ticket

Use Obvy to secure your second-hand train ticket transaction between private individuals. You can even ask your seller to verify their identity directly on Obvy, so that you have a way of getting back to them if there's a problem with the ticket you've bought. Don't take any chances: you could lose your money and a hefty fine on top of that. Enjoy your journey!