Northern blocks passengers who try to cheat ticket checks in 'Netflix-esque' scam

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Northern has blocked fraudsters who try to cheat ticket checks on its trains in a scam akin to 'Netflix password sharing'. The operator has stopped fare evaders from being able to screenshot and share season tickets for others to use by introducing new barcode season tickets which 'live' within its app and update repeatedly throughout the day.

Customers are now also required to upload a profile photograph when purchasing a barcode season ticket. READ MORE: Click here to sign up to the BusinessLive North West newsletter Northern said the tickets offer up to 33% off the regular cost of commuting between two stations on its network.

Commercial and customer Mark Powles said: "Our season tickets are no different to people’s gym memberships, store loyalty cards or indeed their Netflix account - they’re designed for use by the person whose name is on the bill. "Whilst upwards of 95% of the journeys made on our network are by customers who do the right thing and buy a ticket before they travel – for the remaining 5% that are made by people who attempt to travel without paying their way, switching these particular sales to barcode season tickets will ensure only the device that made the purchase is able to satisfy checks by our conductors and ticket gatelines." Netflix has said it will crack down on password sharing as a way to boost subscription numbers.

Earlier this year, it unveiled plans to bring in a feature that stops users from sharing passwords with others - and means that anybody caught out by the feature will be blocked from watching TV.