What can people do if they are stuck miles from home?
Posted by Martipar@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 210 comments
Here's a hypothetical situation:
A person with no living relatives or close friends is on holiday in Scotland, they have travelled frm Essex. They check out of their hotel, they head to the train station and they realise they hoave lost their wallet, tickets and phone. They can go to the police to report it, they can go to a local bank branch to order a replacement card but how do they get home? What support is there for people? What about work, sure they can ring up work to explain the situation but it's not like they can be off forever.
Would Shelter transport someone home? Are there other charities to contact? I know that abroad people can contact the local embassy but that doesn't help once they get back to an airport miles from home.
I am sure the answer is not just accept that you are now homeless and to get used to living on the streets but I don't know what the answer is. What can people do?
Sufficient-Progress5@reddit
They have provision in train stations for people who are stranded. If you have a crime report no to prove the theft you’d manage
Martipar@reddit (OP)
Theft and loss are not the same. They may have been stolen but they could've just been lost, some hotels will throw away anything left in a room.
countingmystepsbaby@reddit
It's like you want it ti be a hopeless situation. Every time someone proposes a solution, you shoot them down. Bizarre.
Martipar@reddit (OP)
I don't want it to be hopeless, I want to know if there is an official system in place, anyone can ask strangers but that is not the same as being able to contact and organisation specialised in dealing with helping people get home. Ideally i' like to see the police handle such things, with a lot of the answers i'm starting to be concerned that unless strangers help you there is nothing in place. I am sure the situation is rare so a dedicated charity would be pointless but i figured existing organisations could provide help.
TheMountainWhoDews@reddit
Why does it have to be an "official" system? The govt is neither your parent nor your guardian. Bank cards and car keys are nothing to do with the govt at all.
Martipar@reddit (OP)
Official as it's regulated and registered. Somewhere someone can go knowing they are dealing with people who are well versed in helping people stuck in parts unknown.
If i needed housing help I'm going to Shelter, i wouldn't go to random strangers on the street. If i needed help with a crime I'd go to the police and not random people on the street. If i wanted education I'd go to a college and not ask random strangers. However sometimes there is no option but to ask random strangers and I'd prefer not to.
TheMountainWhoDews@reddit
And you think this lost and found service should be funded through general taxation? Along with a body to regulate them? Or would they recover the costs from the people they help? Plus an extra premium to cover management costs.
Why dont we have a govt service for people who get locked out of their houses because theyve lost/forgotten their keys? Why dont we have a govt service for broken down cars, or missing pets? Why do you think these services arent provided by govt?
Martipar@reddit (OP)
As stated, possibly elsewhere, it's a long thread, i don't expect a separate organisation to handle it as it's rare but it would be nice to be able to go to the police or other organisation and say "I'm far from home, I've lost my stuff, can you take me home?"
TheMountainWhoDews@reddit
I'm not trying to insult you personally, but that sounds like mental illness.
Walk into a bank, request a cash withdrawl without ID, buy a coach ticket and wait at the bus stop.
Martipar@reddit (OP)
This weekend is a bank holiday, what if this happened to someone on Saturday afternoon? Under your plan they'd be stuck until Tuesday. What do they do?
TheMountainWhoDews@reddit
Losing your possessions is always going to be unpleasant and inconvenient. There is no possible way to make losing your phone and wallet pleasant and convenient.
Martipar@reddit (OP)
I have always ensured i don't get on the last train to avoid this. However once due to a cancelled train the train company paid for me to have a taxi home. So no.
TheMountainWhoDews@reddit
But you can surely understand that whilst undesirable, its a frequent occurence up and down the country? And amazingly, people just get on with it.
I was once robbed in barceona and slept in the doorway of a bank. But then again, I am the rock upon which the waves crash, standing firm until the waters settle and rest. You can be too, if you want.
Busy_Fly_7705@reddit
Someone would help you though. Many times I've been in sticky situations and gotten out of it due to the kindness of strangers. I also once paid the train fare for a stranger to get home (about £40). He was a young guy, 18 but seemed younger, and was trying to cycle 100s of miles home with about £5 to his name. I was pretty sure he wasn't going to make it safely (he also didn't have any food) so fed him and took in to the train station.
You could also call people you don't know so well, in this situation I'd swallow my pride and ask a colleague to book a train fare home for me.
abyssal-isopod86@reddit
I wouldn't be surprised if they are planning this trip and they have OCD over planning for every eventuality and possible catastroph.
A friend of mine has that kind of OCD and it used to really negatively impact his life until he got help for it and put in the work.
abyssal-isopod86@reddit
You can still lodge the loss with the police.
I lost my wallet once while travelling in England and it contained my train ticket, I went to the station's ticket booth and explained my dilemma they told me to lodge the log the loss with the police and get proof I had done so and bring it back to them.
I did and they reissued my ticket with a fee of £9 that they would take from my account via BACS.
a-liquid-sky@reddit
.... Buy a new train ticket?
You can withdraw cash from banks without your card in emergencies.
PurchaseDry9350@reddit
What if they don't have the money in the account for a whole new ticket?
AvoriazInSummer@reddit
Emergency overdraft
insomnimax_99@reddit
And if they’ve maxed out their overdraft (or don’t have one on their account)?
exhausted-pangolin@reddit
At this point they basically are next to homeless anyway
AvoriazInSummer@reddit
The bank likely allows an extension on a maxed-out overdraft for emergency. It might be at the bank's discretion, because at this point they may well have their doubts it'll be paid back.
Martipar@reddit (OP)
How do they prove who they say they are? They have no wallet, no phone, nothing but some clothes and toiletries.
rositree@reddit
You can go into the bank and explain the situation, answer your security questions.
You can go to a library, use their free internet to login to your online banking and advise you've lost your cards, get a code to get some cash out.
You can ask random passersby to borrow their phone briefly and do the same thing if the library is shut. You appeal to people's better nature by asking for the minimum help necessary to get you what you need.
Individuals are surprisingly receptive to helping people who are helping themselves.
An element of this happened to me, I still had my passport but my bank cards got frozen due to fraudulent activity the day I flew from St Lucia to Guatemala, in the days before smart phones. I had to blag use of a businessman's laptop on my stopover to email the place I was heading to and explain the situation. Asked them to send a taxi to the airport for me that I could pay them back for and then had to get on the next flight and hope for the best.
InternationalRide5@reddit
I can't access emails or online banking without my mobile phone for two-factor authorisation .
rositree@reddit
Maybe time to set up a secondary email address that could be used for 2FA instead of phone.
Or phone banking with voice id/password or security questions.
exhausted-pangolin@reddit
If your secondary email address isn't protected by MFA then your primary email address shouldn't be considered protected by MFA. It's protected, at best, by two passwords which are no harder to get through than a single password
thecatsothermother@reddit
My bank would let me draw out money with a signature. They'd compare it to that they had on file.
Hot_Floor9000@reddit
Fingerprints, facial scans
Martipar@reddit (OP)
My bank doesn't have my fingerprint sor facial scan. Why would they?
Hour-Estate-2962@reddit
Did they take a copy of your ID when you signed up?
WanderWomble@reddit
My bank did but it was 25 years ago and they only took my birth certificate. No fingerprints or facial scans!
OkSun8521@reddit
You only have one bank account and it was set up 25 years ago?
WanderWomble@reddit
Yes. Not sure why that's unusual.
OkSun8521@reddit
It's not that unusual, but it really should be.
Are you not at all concerned with what could happen if the bank has a technical issue, or goes out of business, or you lose your phone/card?
WanderWomble@reddit
No.
I really don't think Lloyds are going to go out of business and I have cash on me always. I've also never lost a phone or a card in my life.
OkSun8521@reddit
This is absolutely insane.
Are you aware that it takes less than 5 minutes to set up an account?
WanderWomble@reddit
I am perfectly aware of that but I genuinely have no need for more bank accounts.
I have my current account, a savings account and an ISA. I also have Revolut but only use that for fun money if I'm taking my kids out and I'm worried that I might lose my card.
It's never once been an issue.
OkSun8521@reddit
My house has never burned down, so I guess I should stop paying for home insurance? Except in this analogy, the insurance is completely free.
But the bigger issue is that you have cost yourself literally thousands over the past 25 years. There is no chance that the bank you use offers competitive rates on current accounts, savings accounts, and ISAs (and has done for the past 25 years). They are probably paying less than inflation, meaning you're losing money by keeping your money with them.
Have you used the same gas/electricity supplier for the past 25 years as well?
NoCommunication1946@reddit
I have a savings account set up in 1991. I don't know if the branch still exists, as I haven't lived in that city since 1993.
OkSun8521@reddit
Why?
Hot_Floor9000@reddit
No but the government does, they can use the governments
Neither_Process_7847@reddit
It really doesn't...
Martipar@reddit (OP)
Why would the government have my facial scan or fingerprints?
CaptainChristiaan@reddit
You’d be amazed at how understanding people can be if you explain yourself calmly, thoroughly and without looking homeless. I’ve been let through the ticket barriers so many times (when my phone was dead, and my ticket was saved on my phone) just because I stayed calmly literally showed them my dead phone and was often dressed in my work attire.
Moomoocaboob@reddit
If you have an Apple phone you can set up express travel for one of your cards to work even when your phone battery is kaput.
CaptainChristiaan@reddit
Woah… can you like post a ‘walkthrough’? Or is it easy enough to Google it?
andrewscool101@reddit
Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Express Travel Card.
You can pick a card there (that’s stored in your Apple Pay) that will work when your battery is flat.
CaptainChristiaan@reddit
Do I then treat the card like I would on the Underground and the like?
andrewscool101@reddit
Yeah you can tap your phone against the NFC reader to open the barriers on the Underground even with a dead battery with this enabled. Of course Apple warns you that this also means if your phone was stolen, a thief could do the same without any PIN / Face ID verification; until you can get said card cancelled.
CaptainChristiaan@reddit
Wooooah, I’ve lived in the UK for 12 years now and I didn’t know this! Neat
mattjimf@reddit
Yeah, this is due to the terminal powering the NFC rather than your phone/card.
cryptonuggets1@reddit
Doesn’t this rescue security if it’s not checking Face ID and allowing payment when off?
lost_send_berries@reddit
I don't know how but it only activates at ticket barriers not at shops
mattjimf@reddit
See above
Delicious-Photo-835@reddit
They don't have their phone 🤦♀️
gambola@reddit
It depends who you get though. When I was younger, probably in my 20s, I ran onto the platform at London Euston to catch my last train home. The train was there, the doors were open, I was cutting it fine but I was there. Bear in mind this is a lone female at 11pm, clearly running to try and make it and the doors were open. The train staff ignored me, closed the doors, refused me entry despite me saying it was my last train home and I had nowhere to stay, and having a valid ticket - I just hadn’t managed to get through the barriers quick enough. I burst into tears, they didn’t want to know and neither did anyone else at Euston so I had to call my dad to get some money for an emergency hotel and new ticket. Unfortunately not everyone is nice or applies common sense.
CaptainChristiaan@reddit
Oh gawd, that's a nightmare situation, and it is a fair point. I will also say: London Euston is AWFUL. I absolutely hate that station - and to your point actually - it's the only station where I have ever encountered genuinely rude staff who just straight up ignore you, regardless of your plight. They literally just nod or shake their heads in your general direction 98% of the time, and I do my best not to interact with anyone if I have to go through there.
gambola@reddit
Yeah, I was so angry with them - it was a long time ago but I still think back to how they could have just opened the barrier and let me on, and not even been delayed. They closed the doors literally in front of me while I begged and the ticket office people were just as bad. You have to be a special kind of heartless to do that to anyone, let alone a young woman in let’s face it not the nicest area of London (or at least back then). I ended up staying in a shitty ibis nearby and feeling so angry and upset all night. I hope they all stubbed their toes regularly after that.
CaptainChristiaan@reddit
I hope they woke up with ten thousand cockroaches in their pants.
glavet@reddit
Something like this happened to me around 20 years ago, when I was a teenager. I went into a bank and asked if there was any way I could withdraw money without my debit card and without my ID. Luckily, I knew my sort code and account number off by heart. They asked me a bunch of security questions, including the password I had for telephone banking. I was able to answer correctly, so they let me withdraw money.
_Hologrxphic@reddit
I used to work in a branch counter so had this often.
We were allowed to use our own discretion to let people withdraw money from their bank accounts with no ID, no card etc. You can just walk into the branch and ask.
Normally I would ask for the name /date of birth/ address etc to find them, then I would just ask a ton of random questions about the account.
How much is your rent + what day is it paid? name 3 restaurants you used your card in last week? name some references you’ve used on payments? Along with the usual stuff like telephone number etc.
We could only give a small amount (maybe up to £100) but it’s designed to help in emergencies. You can tell when someone is genuine.
Also, when you apply online for a bank account the ID documents you used are sometimes kept on file. So I can actually see a photo of the person when I pull the account up:
InternationalRide5@reddit
If, of course, you actually have a bank branch any more or even bank with a branch-based bank.
Not sure if there are online-only banks who don't even have phone services you could call.
FlyingRo@reddit
Bank will have a copy of your KYC documents
MessageSelfdestructs@reddit
LOL, you think that walking into a bank they'd be able to retrieve those KYC documents to verify your identity?
FlyingRo@reddit
Yes. It’s not the 1970s any more. KYC data is stored electronically and linked to your account.
If you’ve setup a second account at a bank in the last decade or so you would see them pull up your existing KYC before approving the new account
MessageSelfdestructs@reddit
They won't be able to retrieve the KYC documents from their system...
mojnjaro@reddit
They'd know the answer to the security passwords or numbers or whatever of their account wouldn't they? They could also go to an internet cafe or library and access their emails from there. Maybe there's something in them that will be accepted as proof.
cmpthepirate@reddit
I've paid for a person's full weekly shop on trust before, seeing they forgot their payment method, and they paid me back in full within the next hour.
But I am quite trusting of strangers and I dont need to worry if I dont get that level of money back, which is fortunate for me.
Forsaken_Bee3717@reddit
I got money from my bank a couple of years ago with no id and no phone. I also set up my account 30 years ago so they won’t have any biometric details. Just usual security questions.
Also employers can help- we helped repatriate someone with their family after an accident abroad.
I’ve seen train information people help someone who couldn’t pay for a ticket home.
Neither_Process_7847@reddit
Full name, date of birth, account number and the cvc from a card linked to it?
infieldcookie@reddit
Presumably you can answer security questions like you would if you ever needed to call your bank.
Whole-Being8618@reddit
This is the correct answer 👍
L-0-T-H-0-S@reddit
You hitch a ride, its not rocket science.
ice-lollies@reddit
I can’t remember the last time I saw a hitch hiker.
There must be people alive who’ve never seen people doing it.
acidic_tab@reddit
I'm 28, and have never seen people doing it. I know that my brothers have done it, but if it weren't for that I'd have genuinely assumed it was just a thing people did in a time before mine. Even now I'm not entirely convinced it was a thing still when my brothers did it.
ice-lollies@reddit
As a family we did it when I was young and our car broke down (this must have been about 40 years ago though).
People used to regularly be at places like motorway junctions doing it - usually with a piece of cardboard with their destination on.
I think it must be a combination of safety concerns and mobile phones that the practice just died out.
Poo_Poo_La_Foo@reddit
I can't imagine there are hundreds of people doing Scotland to Essex road trips!
L-0-T-H-0-S@reddit
Neither can anybody. Starting off you hitch a ride to somewhere with more traffic. From there you hitch to the next major transportation hub and so on and so forth. You don't stick you're thumb out expecting to be delivered straight to your door.
That never happens.
Moving on. That big blue thing when you look up. That is called the sky...
Poo_Poo_La_Foo@reddit
Thanks...I understand how hitching a lift works 🙃😂
-aLonelyImpulse@reddit
Well, you hitch a ride to the closest point to your destination that diverges from your host's route. Then they drop you off and you find someone else who's going your way. It's more like a relay, so it's convoluted but possible.
Timely_Egg_6827@reddit
Go talk to police or train company. They can usually front you money. Had to do once in 80s though that was £3 train fare. Had family but easiest just to explain issue at ticket office and pay Scotrail later.
awkwardAoili@reddit
Isn't this what travel insurance is for?
Experiment62693@reddit
Speak to each train conductor and explain the situation, worst thing they can say is no, most would say jump on and if revenue staff get on the conductor can say I've spoken to the man who's got a grey jacket wearing jeans and a red hat I've told him hes okay to travel to xyz
AuroraDF@reddit
It seems to me that your aim was to try and depict a situation where no help is available and the person is entirely stuck and homeless.
Your responses to people are a bit ignorant.
No one with some brains and a tongue I their head is going to find themselves in a position like this and completely unable to get home. Someone will help.
But also, if you have no one you can call on for help, you don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Martipar@reddit (OP)
Yes but the question is who? What systems are in place, ignore any potential loopholes i've not considered and take it at face value, a person is alone, far from home, no money, no ID, no phone, no friends or family. They need to get home. Which charities, organisations or other official routes are there for help. Yes people can ask random strangers but that's not anything official.
tastydirtslover@reddit
Are you ok?
lost_send_berries@reddit
The question was answered, anybody who works at a train station, police station, or coach station
Just-an-idiot-online@reddit
There are probably solutions that involve having access to online banking somehow and transferring money to someone who can give you the cash/tickets etc. I don't know how that would work if you don't have anybody you can trust, but it's a possibility (although risky).
What else could you do? I don't even know if you can have a replacement bank card sent anywhere but your home address.
Implematic950@reddit
Lost my passport in Dublin once when it fell out my pocket in the taxi from the airport to the hotel. Thankfully made it home on my driving licences but this was 2004 ish. So a lot of changes to flying since then.
Did_OJ_Simpson_do_it@reddit
Idk why everyone in the comments is giving you a hard time, it seems like a reasonable question.
Low-Understanding119@reddit
Bit of a non-issue, if someone has employment I’m sure they would arrange for a short term loan to purchase train tickets. Hell I bet the hotel desk would even give you a small loan to get home, it’s only £100 or so for a train ticket.
redseaaquamarine@reddit
"Only"
Low-Understanding119@reddit
Yes, it’s only a hundred quid. No one’s going to get precious over loaning you it for a few days to get home.
So_Gawjus@reddit
I have never seen a post where an OP is so irritating. Every single thing said is argued against haha. The comments are better than the post 😊
Martipar@reddit (OP)
People are looking for loopholes and not trying to deal with the situation. They aren't offering help. When they do I welcome them.
lost_send_berries@reddit
A fellow was stuck on his rooftop in a flood. He was praying to God for help.
Soon a man in a rowboat came by and the fellow shouted to the man on the roof, “Jump in, I can save you.”
The stranded fellow shouted back, “No, it’s OK, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me.”
So the rowboat went on.
Then a motorboat came by. “The fellow in the motorboat shouted, “Jump in, I can save you.”
To this the stranded man said, “No thanks, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith.”
So the motorboat went on.
Then a helicopter came by and the pilot shouted down, “Grab this rope and I will lift you to safety.”
To this the stranded man again replied, “No thanks, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith.”
So the helicopter reluctantly flew away.
Soon the water rose above the rooftop and the man drowned. He went to Heaven. He finally got his chance to discuss this whole situation with God, at which point he exclaimed, “I had faith in you but you didn’t save me, you let me drown. I don’t understand why!”
To this God replied, “I sent you a rowboat and a motorboat and a helicopter, what more did you expect?”
mattcannon2@reddit
The situation is not as catastrophic as you're making it out to be?
Many people have their phone and wallet stolen when on holiday somewhere, that doesn't mean they immediately have to quit their job and become homeless.
PhenW@reddit
The answer is ‘no’. There isn’t a service to transport you home for free in these circumstances. If this happens you need to ask for help in the many ways that people are suggesting. If no one is willing to help you’re going to need to walk, or hitchhike. If you miss work you’ll need to speak to them and explain and hope they are understanding. No one is going to wave a magic wand and fix the problem for you.
Freedom-For-Ever@reddit
Isn't this why you take travel insurance?
I would if I was single going on holiday, even in the UK.
Adam_the_Penguin@reddit
Honestly, I've never even thought about getting travel insurance for a trip within the UK.
Bumpyslide@reddit
You really should, after grandfather had a heart attack in Scotland and had to be flown black to Hampshire I’d never go without
Freedom-For-Ever@reddit
If I were single & without a car I would.
But I have a car with roadside assistance, so I don't think it as necessary as OP's scenario.
I have often taken annual travel insurance through a work scheme - which covered UK holidays.
57_n@reddit
I don’t think that’s the point of the post. It’s more about what happens if you don’t have any immediate access to anything.
Bumpyslide@reddit
I can’t believe I had to scroll that far for someone to mention insurance, it’s pennies to get cover for uk trip
UnacceptableUse@reddit
Probably because it's not really the answer to the question, because the question was about what would happen if you didn't have any safety net to fall back on
Fusilero@reddit
Most require at least 2 days away from home in the UK.
Freedom-For-Ever@reddit
I think if you are traveling from Essex to Scotland, it would be more than 2 days...
dreadwitch@reddit
If they can go to the bank to report the card lost they can get cash out from said bank.
Mypinksideofthedrain@reddit
I did this before mobile phones, I slept on some scaffolding in Bristol and got pecked awake by seagulls.
HelpDaren@reddit
All you need is enough money for a train ticket to home.
Luckily, you have plenty of options.
It's not the end of the world to get stuck somewhere and there's plenty of ways to get home and get your things in order, but most of them requires you to actually put effort in it rather than relying on the goodwill of the first person you come across.
schminanina@reddit
Why is the first option to quit their job and accept they now live on the streets of Scotland?
MrReadilyUnready@reddit
Get cash from that very bank branch
Martipar@reddit (OP)
How do they prove who they are?
schminanina@reddit
The same way you do when you phone your bank? Answer security questions to prove it's you.
MrReadilyUnready@reddit
How do you plan on getting a replacement card?
Martipar@reddit (OP)
Ordering a card requires a lot less security than asking for cash. They can order you a card with basic name and address details, actually withdrawing cash though is another level.
Neither_Process_7847@reddit
With security questions answered, the bank can give you a code to withdraw emergency cash.
Holiday_Spot_5573@reddit
I have withdrew cash on 3 separate occasions once in a foreign country, while not simple it is relatively easy enough. Now while in the foreign country I did have my passport but other 2 times was without any ID.
MrReadilyUnready@reddit
You presumably have security questions + know your own personal information.
Less_Return6325@reddit
Give your details and they ask security questions like - you made a purchase for X amount a month ago who was it with. Who is your phone company that sort of thing.
-aLonelyImpulse@reddit
Security questions on their account.
charlottedoo@reddit
I lost my purse in Sheffield when I was about 17. It was before you had everything you would ever need on the phone. I went to the train station anyway and explained what happened and they got me to my local station.
KFN-VII@reddit
Start walking
Honest_Pay_paul@reddit
In my Dads day (he’s 91) he would call that riding Shanks’s pony (walking)
LeeYuette@reddit
This happened to me sort of, it was just before mobile phones were common and I arrived in London from Yorkshire intending to buy my ticket to where I was staying that night only to realise that I’d taken my bank card out of my purse for a night out and didn’t have it, or any cash left (back then it was more common to carry and pay with cash). Luckily I do have family and I knew my mum’s phone number; I had to beg enough change to make a phone call. My mum worked for a building society and figured out how she could get cash to me at the branch closest to King’s Cross (no map to help me find said branch so I have to remember and follow her directions to get there, and we both have a terrible sense of direction!). It worked out fairly easily, but it was terrifying in the moment, I was only 17 or 18!
mattcannon2@reddit
They can get travel insurance
AuroraDF@reddit
This happened to my friends. They travelled from Scotland. Half an hour after checking into their hotel in King's Cross, she had her handbag stolen in the park. Everything was in it. They went back to their accomodation, explained the situation, checked out, went back to the station, explained what had happened. They were able to look up their online bookings. They gave them tickets to go straight home. I think they had to pay the difference when they got home. I don't know if it made a difference that she was crying and they had a toddler with them.
LittleSadRufus@reddit
Why did they go home straight away? Did the one who was not robbed not have any way to pay for things?
AuroraDF@reddit
I don't know. She was my friend and her boyfriend was weird. They are no longer a couple.
AuroraDF@reddit
Also, slightly different, but I once had my bag stolen in an airport. I'd already checked in. Went to the desk and explained. They reissued my boarding pass. I called my mother (I know, this wouldn't work in your hypothetical) and she had to get a registrar to send a copy of my birth certificate to Heathrow before we landed, so that they would let me out of the airport.
There is always a way. Someone will always help.
hippoc@reddit
This sounds like the most stressful situation ever!
AuroraDF@reddit
It really was! But I was 19 and stress wasn't really a thing then. Lol
Martipar@reddit (OP)
That's fine if they have an online booking but what if they didn't? The toddler may have helped with convincing the station but it's entirely possible a 50ish year old man with no companions would get the same treatment.
MrReadilyUnready@reddit
I hope this hypothetical situation happens to you tbh. You're really quite annoying. You're shutting down every good point in this thread. It's almost like all you want to do is argue.
Martipar@reddit (OP)
I'm not i'm just highlighting the potential problems. It's not "shutting down" if there are holes that need to be plugged.
Freedom-For-Ever@reddit
As I said, this is why you buy travel insurance...
Lanesra8989@reddit
This ☝️
AuroraDF@reddit
I don't know. I'm just telling you what happened to them.
UNarbs@reddit
I was quite lucky when I’d lost my bank card and driving license the other month that I still had my passport and access to my online bank account via my phone. This meant I could at least go to a bank branch and get a few hundred quid out to last until my new bank card got delivered.
butterscotchwhip@reddit
This happened to me as a 15yr old in the 1980s. Probably a bit different now though.
Alone on a flight from Germany to Scotland via Heathrow, flight was delayed for fog and they flew us to another German airport to wait it out. We did eventually get to Heathrow but the terminal was closing for the night, I had missed my onward flight, no money, no credit card, parents in Scotland also had no credit card. I reverse charge called them and their plan was to drive to airport counter in Scotland in the morning and sort it out with the airline for me there.
Parents were so worried they called Heathrow police station. Couple of coppers came and got me and took me to the station for the night! I was put in an office with my bags and slept on the floor lol. The next morning they called my parents who had got me on a replacement flight and they drove me IN A POLICE VAN and carried my bags (no wheels back then) up to the counter and got me all checked in. I’ve never been so mortified in my life lol!! Everyone was looking at me. Not what a self conscious 15yr old wants 🤣 but very grateful to them all the same lol.
Worried_Owl2218@reddit
Love this comment, very wholesome 🥰
Kizzieuk@reddit
I was stranded in London. the police gave me the money to get a train. You can also go to a station and tell them your problem and they will also help you unless you get a dick , just find someone else
Martipar@reddit (OP)
This is the most interesting answer so far. How did this work? What was the process?
Kizzieuk@reddit
I just walked into the police station and told them I had lost my money and they gave me money for the train. One of the policemen also told me if I ever get stranded that the train station can help me. but I have just googled that and seems you cant do that anymore.
oraff_e@reddit
I once lost my wallet while on a day trip to Waiheke Island (about a 40 minute ferry ride out of Auckland, NZ). I'd been sat on the beach, got up and walked back towards the bus stop before realising it wasn't in my pocket - absolute panic as I wouldn't have been able to even get back to the mainland without it lmao
I did consider that I was going to have to ask someone to buy me the return ticket out of charity, but thankfully it was exactly where I'd left it when I retraced my steps
To be honest though as fewer places accept cash this does concern me if I'm not able to charge my phone as I tend to use Apple Pay more often than my physical card
Seafood_udon9021@reddit
Some banks definitely advertise that they provide amounts of cash in this situation - though probably not enough for another night in a hotel, food and a return train from Scotland to Essex. Hitch hike?
Neither_Process_7847@reddit
It'll be enough for a National Express ticket and possibly a few chilly hours spent waiting at the coach station, though.
Hour-Estate-2962@reddit
Banks typically take a copy of ID when you sign up. I don't know but maybe they could use this and security questions to verify your identity to let you withdraw cash
Martipar@reddit (OP)
Maybe but I am 40, I openend my bank account when I was 16, the only ID i'd have had at the time would be a proof of address and my birth certificate. Maybe knowing the details of the birth certificate is enough but i'd not like to rely on it.
Neither_Process_7847@reddit
Might be an idea to get your details updated with them? Just in case, you know, you ever lose your card...
AdemHoog@reddit
Perhaps if you spoke with your bank, you could update your details somewhat, understand your security situation and hey presto! You're ready to lose yourself/your belongings as you see fit.
MessageSelfdestructs@reddit
"Hi Bank. So yeah, I'm this autistic person who imagines these weird scenarios that will never happen, as I rarely leave the basement of my carers' house, but nonetheless, I would like you to perform a lot of work just so I can feel safe and sound when I'm creating these imaginary scenarios."
Viking-Bastard-XIV@reddit
The bank ask you details and your security questions. If this happens outside of banking hours, you can speak to your bank on the phone, and they give you details to put into the cash machine and withdraw money. It would normally be a nominal amount (£100) just to get you home.
Go to a police station. You have to go through a series of questions but they’ll help. They’ll also let you use a phone to phone anyone that you need to; work, friends etc. If there’s no other option they liaise with British Transport Police and can issue a travel warrant, this will get you home.
Hour-Estate-2962@reddit
Good point! No idea in that case except pleading with the train station and potentially sitting in the station until they took pity on me.
Or waiting until a time of night then barriers were open or a barrier less station and taking the fine if I was found to be travelling without a ticket (but trying hiding in the toilets)
emmjaybeeyoukay@reddit
Firstly go back to the hotel. Is the wallet and/or phone there.
Ask the hotel to call your mobile number to see if it rings within earshot, or if someone picks it up you can get them to bring it to the hotel.
As the hotel has taken your booking, and hopefully understands you are a reasonable customer of theirs, and has your address on file, ask them if they can get you a ticket home.
While in the local bank branch getting their card replaced they can use sufficient information they know, their home branch details, card number, password to e-banking, last known transaction etc to identify themselves well enough to get a sufficient cash withdraw to allow them to buy a ticket.
You'll likely need to speak with the branch manager, be polite.
The police won't generally get involved, its not a criminal matter
Papertache@reddit
I remember my card details. I've withdrawn money from the bank without my card a few times in the past. They just ask you security questions.
Appropriate_Cod7444@reddit
Relax it’s only 9 days walking home from Scotland if said person in said hypothetical situation can’t follow the many sensible suggestions stated thus far.
Dic_Penderyn@reddit
My bank which is Natwest, has an emergency cash service. If for some reason I did find myself without my phone or wallet, all I need do is use someone else's phone, or a public phone, and call them via their 24 hr helpline. After asking security questions, they will provide me with a 6 digit security code. I would then need to go to a Natwest or Royal Bank of Scotland or Tesco ATM and enter that code. I can then take out money from my own account.
Lammysmanicurist@reddit
Take your shoes off, set fire to a bin, and then your shoes waving them. Shouting clearly; "Help"
You will now be very visible to not only pedestrians, but also road vehicles, boats, and aircraft.
One of them will probably help you
Short_Zebra5651@reddit
Well do I have a story for you! This will sound believable but I swear this is the Gods honest truth. When I was a little girl I was a girl guide. Age 12, we went on a trip to Switzerland (our chalet and kandersteg international scout centre is there, so a really common place to go). 5 of us went with one adult leader. Now, my adult leader worked for DFID (now FCDO), and had recently been in an African country working. The day before we were coming home, she literally went into hospital in Switzerland after falling ill from a tropical disease she had picked up a couple weeks prior in Africa, that obviously had been incubating. Now, we’re 5 11-12 year olds stuck in Switzerland alone. Our leader is on the brink of death and has been wizzed off in an ambulance. So we basically had to ask to join a group of other girl guides who were staying next to us and flying back to England the same day as us to take us with them. Baring in mind this is the 00s, 11 year olds do not have phones or know their parents numbers. So we all are on the same flight back to London, and get on no problem with the Sheffield girl guides and their leaders. We were travelling onwards to Glasgow. We managed to contact my dad when we were in England (I remembered his number) and in a panic he said he would meet us a Preston. So off we go, 5 pre teens off onto the train alone to Scotland. BUT we only had the receipts of the tickets and not the actual ticket (pre electronic ticket bookings as standard, we had bought the tickets in person, but we only had the receipt and the leader who was still in Switzerland had the tickets). So I basically had an argument with the ticket guy about letting us travel on the receipt. He said absolutely not. So I entered into a negotiation with the man about why he should accept it. Stating that we were vulnerable minors, he had a duty of care to assist us home to an adult or we could wait hear for the police if he was so inclined but he would then be responsible for us until they arrived. Proper laid it on thick. He then basically told us to just use it and get on the train. In today’s world no way would they have let us go once we told them we were 11! Alas, we met my dad at Preston and got home no bother. Since that moment, I knew I was always going to be alright in life and I have spent the majority of it solving the unsolvable. Point of the story is, people are usually kind and understanding. I often pay for people’s tickets if they’ve forgot their cash. If someone stopped me in the street in this exact scenario I would pay for their train home to England. Good will and kindness is never a wasted penny!
Another-Username81@reddit
I had a similar situation. In my first season working with an Entertainment agency in Spain, I broke my leg at work playing football, and because they needed my apartment for my replacement, they packed me off to a different resort to recover. Once I was fit again, my agency paid for my flight back to a new hotel in Manorca, the only problem was: nobody came to meet me once I arrived, it was late, the offices were closed and my hotel was on the other side of the island.
I didn’t know anyone, had no money for a taxi, no contact number, spoke next to no Spanish and smart phones with internet wasn’t a thing back then. Anyway I started walking in the general direction the new resort was in, hitched a lift for a few miles, and a few hours later ended up at my new hotel.
Turned out, I wasn’t expected until the next day!🤣🤣
Asleep-Software-4160@reddit
Start walking.
No-Snow-9605@reddit
That's easy. You are forgetting that you are in Scotland,home of the most generous,welcoming and honest people on earth.
So you would go to the nearest police station, where you would find that the person who found it has handed it in,with all the contents intact.
Poo_Poo_La_Foo@reddit
I'd go to a hotel, explain the situation, and pay for a night via bank transfer (accessing their bank via their computes). Then use the hotel phone to call the bank, arrange emergency cash withdrawal, to rebuy a train home the next day. Then when home, the bank will have sent their new card.
UnacceptableUse@reddit
How many hotels would allow that? I doubt a chain would accept a bank transfer so that would be all chains out of the question. If you looked friendly you could probably convince a smaller independent hotel
Poo_Poo_La_Foo@reddit
Just googled the first brand I could think of. I think they generally don't care as long as the fee is paid 🤷🏼♀️
UnacceptableUse@reddit
Huh that's surprising
Willeth@reddit
I don't know about you but I couldn't access my bank account online without my phone.
Poo_Poo_La_Foo@reddit
Really? You can't just log in?
No_Usual_572@reddit
Most of them are 2FA. If they wanted a code sent via text, well my phone is lost. If they wanted a code sent via email, well that too is 2FA and would require a text.
Poo_Poo_La_Foo@reddit
Hahah noooo not the 2fa matrix.
My NatWest you can just login on a browser 🤷🏼♀️ and my password and passcode are saved in my skull.
NatWest also have a great emergency cash system where you don't need a card or device.
WanderWomble@reddit
Lloyds gives you a random number as your login. I've had mine for 25+ years and can't remember it.
Poo_Poo_La_Foo@reddit
Haha NatWest is your DOB then a few digits. It's locked in the memory box.
sunofdork@reddit
I had to log in to Natwest on a browser yesterday and I still had to approve it in the app on that same phone
Willeth@reddit
I think I could probably get onto my password manager in the browser, and retrieve the password from there, but any transfer would require confirmation via two factor.
I'm not even 100% sure all my bank accounts and credit cards can be accessed online.
Few_Profit6635@reddit
Good luck if your with nationwide 😂
Silhouette_Sneezes@reddit
Banks keep a copy of your signature scanned on file. It’s part of the KYC process.
So presumably in this scenario you’re literate, you can remember your own name and how to spell it, and the bank would allow you access to a pen, you could sign and they’d be able to get money for you out of your account.
Replacement cards can be ordered to branch, so even if you couldn’t get home for a day or two, you’d be able to get a bank card reasonably quickly without having to travel home.
If you didn’t have enough money in your account for replacement tickets (and wouldn’t qualify to extend your overdraft) they’d let you call someone to help. This person may not have close friends but would theoretically have someone in their life they could ask for cash if they explained the situation.
If you’re going to counter with no, they are completely alone in every conceivable way, then I’d say this person would be relatively comfortable fending for themselves if they have literally no one in the world at all to ask a favour of.
Or, y’know. They’d spontaneously combust because they’d run out of options 🤷🏻♀️
anabsentfriend@reddit
I've not used it but I've seen that my banks will give you an emergency code to get cash from a cashpoint without having a card if something like this happens.
Giant_Gaystacks@reddit
I would call my bank.
I’ve been with first direct for over 30 years, and they’ve bailed me out of some proper messes, mostly ones I created myself when I was younger, daft, and usually hammered.
One time I lost my wallet on a drunken night out, and they actually helped me get home. They rang around taxi firms until they found one willing to take a verbal guarantee that the bank would pay by BACS. This was back when transfers took three working days, not five seconds like now.
The funny bit is I only called to cancel my cards. The person on the phone asked how I was getting home, and when I said I was planning to walk five miles, they stepped in and sorted it.
Makes me wonder if that kind of service was just a sign of the times. Not sure you’d get that level of help now compared to 1994.
The-queen-of-swords@reddit
Walk. It’s a small country. You’ll get home in no time
dreamywednesdays@reddit
I would go to a member of staff at the train station, ask to borrow their phone, ring my dad and ask him to come get me immediately?
alico127@reddit
Sell your watch at cash converters and buy a train ticket home.
skibbin@reddit
I did this once. I went to a branch of my bank and explained the situation, they let me sign for a cash withdrawal which gave me enough to buy some food and a train ticket home
TheLocalEcho@reddit
The BBC did an article about this. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40947712 . As your hypothetical person has a job and is in Scotland, it says there is a scheme there where friends and family can pay in money at a different police station and the stranded person can take it in cash. So in that case you persuade your boss that a small emergency advance, to be deducted from your next payslip, is better than you not turning up for work.
PuzzleheadedFold503@reddit
People are human.
Don't trust strangers for help.
Bus drivers? As long as you aren't rude or entitled about it, they let a few passengers ride for free each day. They are bus drivers, not millionaires, and they deal with hundreds, thousands of people every day. In that moment, they understand your situation better than you do. It is your first time, they have seen it daily for 20 years.
UnacceptableUse@reddit
Aside from everything everyone else has said - yes it is possible that you could just be fucked. I don't think there's any particular legal provision for this situation and you'd be relying on people's goodwill to get you home or in touch with someone who can help you.
D0wnb0at@reddit
Mate of mine got drunk. Fell asleep on the train home and ended up in London. (We’re in Yorkshire). Didn’t have money to get home. He hopped on a train, they kicked him off for not using a ticket an hour in, jumped on another train and they kicked him off for not having a ticket a few stations closer to home, jumped on another train and kicked him off at his home station.
I have also done this, drunk I got a train home (15mins) I got on the wrong train which was heading to York as the only stop which is an hour drive away, and it was the last train, luckily I knew someone who lived in York so gave them a call. Not as interesting.
dope42042@reddit
I have a shitty 8yr old phone and this is my number one fear when travelling, even when I know everything is prepped. The battery is wildly unpredictable and I have to ration it carefully
Hypothetically, I've always thought I'd borrow a phone from a stranger and call friends/family. Or travel insurance. Or a local council
Trains can also issue "promise to pay" tickets
Security questions and face verification at a bank
justeUnMec@reddit
There's a process where you can declare yourself stranded at a station and get help getting home, generally by the rail company liaising with friend or family to take payment.
Anything else is at the discretion of staff. Years ago as a student I found myself stranded at a coach stop with a ticket I didn't realise was not valid on that particular day and appealed to the driver who spoke to his HQ to waive the condition.
In London, there's a system that allows the issue of a sort of "IOU" honour ticket in emergencies which you promise to pay later at a staffed station. Surprisingly, the rate of payment of these is very high. I was stuck in central london after a station closure a few years ago and a bus driver issued me with one as I didn't have a card with me and I felt honour-bound to pay it though no details were taken. I suspect this might be less common now with phones that carry cards and work even without power.
critterwol@reddit
Phone a mate/family member and ask for some help.
ambergriswoldo@reddit
Some banks will allow a cash withdrawal with security questions (similar to phone banking) - but that would also mean getting to an actual bank which are scare these days. If it was me I’d ask if I could get online at a hotel laptop etc to contact family through Facebook for them book my ticket home. Pretty sure you can just collect that at train station ticket machines with a code
hiddenkinkz@reddit
this (similar) actually happened to me - I lost my wallet - and had nothing (this was before mobile phones). I simply got on the train without a ticket - and gave my details to the ticket inspectors at the end of the trip when I got home (London). I didn’t try and skip, I just walked up to them and explained. They were quite good with me tbh - no idea if they would be as good these days (this was a good long while ago!)
Rogue-Daddio-3@reddit
Buy another train ticket? Some people...
Martipar@reddit (OP)
With what?
Rogue-Daddio-3@reddit
When you go to the bank to get a new card, they give you a temporary card until your new one comes in. Also you can take out cash as well. This is the norm here in canada
Martipar@reddit (OP)
I've never bene given a temporary card, they always tell me that it'll be in the post. What bank are you with that hands over a temporary card at the counter?
Icy_Mixture1482@reddit
They do. It just doesn’t have a name embossed on it so can’t be used for online purposes.
No_Usual_572@reddit
"Ask UK"
redbullcat@reddit
If you can prove who you are at the bank - via answering security questions or whatever - the bank will help you. They'll let you get cash out for a train ticket home, or so you can phone someone, etc etc.
Source: have been in this situation before, before contactless was a thing. Luckily I had my phone on me so I could show them my online banking and that was enough to get cash out for a train ticket home.
TheMarkMatthews@reddit
Go ask at a church
Hot-Satisfaction19@reddit
always take a photocopy of tickets, bank cards etc, when you travel for this very purpose.
HawkwardGames@reddit
They’re not just left to rot in the street, but there also isn’t some magic charity that bundles you into a car and drives you from Scotland to Essex.
Police might help you report it and maybe point you somewhere useful, but they’re not getting you home. Shelter won’t be doing a long-distance taxi either. They deal with housing advice and homelessness, not “I lost my wallet on holiday”.
Real answer is: train station staff, police report, bank emergency card/cash help, council out of hours support if you genuinely have nowhere to stay, and trying to contact work through email/socials/library/borrowed phone. Someone may be able to verify who you are and help you sort emergency travel.
But if you’ve travelled with your phone, wallet, tickets, bank cards and all contact options in one place, and you have zero backup plan, you’ve made a bad situation much worse. You probably won’t be homeless forever, but you might have a very long, stressful couple of days sorting it out.
infieldcookie@reddit
I assume you can still get cash out from a bank without your card etc or by using the internet to get a ticket via PayPal, but failing both of those, I’d ask at the train station.
If that still didn’t work, I’d go on the train without a ticket and risk the fines.
Otherwise-Tie-9055@reddit
I would borrow a phone and ring my parents house and ask them to buy me a ticket home that I would then collect at the station
MrReadilyUnready@reddit
>a person with no living relatives or close friends
Otherwise-Tie-9055@reddit
I don’t see the relevance
MrReadilyUnready@reddit
Some would consider parents to be living relatives.
QuestNetworkFish@reddit
Some banks can provide a code to withdraw case from an ATM if you've lost your card, but no there's not really formal support for people in these situations. They're expected to rely on personal finance (credit card, overdraft etc) or support from friends/family
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