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| Zip Oyster Card - TfL |
Transport for London (TfL) has announced that children with expired 5-10 or 11-15 Zip Oyster photocards can continue to use their cards until 31 December 2024. This measure comes as TfL deals with a cyber security incident that has prompted an extensive investigation into the potential access of customer data.
Children who possess expired 5-10 and 11-15 Zip Oyster photocards, including those 16-year-olds whose cards expired on 30 September, can present their cards to staff at Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, and National Rail stations, as well as to tram revenue inspectors when boarding buses. TfL plans to notify affected customers when they can reapply for their Zip Oyster photocards.
The decision to extend the validity of these cards occurs amidst TfL's ongoing response to a cyber security breach identified on 1 September. The organisation, in collaboration with the National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre, is investigating suspicious activity that may have compromised certain customer data, including names, contact details, and limited bank account information for approximately 5,000 individuals.
In light of the incident, TfL has temporarily suspended applications for new Oyster photocards, including Zip cards. Customers are encouraged to keep a record of fares paid, as TfL intends to issue refunds for additional travel costs incurred while their Oyster photocard website is unavailable.
Other disruptions include the unavailability of online journey history for Oyster and contactless customers, as well as the inability to process payments through the Oyster & contactless app. Customers can still make payments via the TfL website and at stations. Moreover, the registration of Oyster cards to customer accounts on the website and app is currently not possible, and refunds for incomplete pay-as-you-go journeys made using contactless cannot be processed. TfL urges customers to always touch in and out to avoid issues.
Additionally, TfL is currently unable to process yearly address checks for 60+ photocards, but assures customers that their cards will continue to function as normal. Updates on the resumption of these checks will be communicated as soon as possible.
The organisation is also conducting an all-staff IT identity check to further secure their systems, which may cause some delays in service. Customers are urged to remain vigilant against potential fraud attempts related to the data breach.
For further updates on the situation and specific Oyster photocards, TfL encourages checking their maintenance page. If customers need to replace a lost photocard, they are advised to call TfL's customer service at 0343 222 1234 between 08:00-20:00 daily, or on their website.
Key Updates:
- Expiration Extension: 5-10 and 11-15 Zip Oyster photocards accepted until 31 December 2024.
- Cyber Security Investigation: Ongoing inquiry into potential customer data breach.
- Application Suspension: New Oyster photocards, including Zip cards, are temporarily unavailable.
- Refund Process: Refunds for additional travel costs to be processed once systems are restored.
- Service Disruptions: Online journey history, app payments, and card registrations currently unavailable.
- Customer Vigilance: Remain alert to potential fraud related to the data breach.
Source: TfL website
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