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Metra: Streamwood man used fake mobile ticket to pay fare

A 23-year-old Streamwood is facing a misdemeanor theft charge alleging he used a fake mobile ticket to pay his train fare, Metra officials said Wednesday.

Daniel D. Rasinski was arrested Tuesday morning after he attempted to use a fraudulent ticket on his cellphone while riding Metra's Milwaukee West Line, according to Metra police.

The train's conductor became suspicious of the mobile ticket after noticing a difference in security features, authorities said. The conductor notified Metra police, who seized Rasinski's cellphone, according to the agency.

Rasinski, who faces a maximum of a year in jail and $2,500 fine on the Class A misdemeanor theft charge, is scheduled to appear in court April 29.

Metra, CTA and Pace launched the Ventra mobile ticketing application in November, allowing riders to purchase and display tickets on their smartphones using a Ventra account or personal credit or debit card.

"We have security measures in place to prevent counterfeiting of our mobile tickets, just as we do for our printed tickets," Metra CEO Don Orseno said in a news release Wednesday. "We have zero tolerance for riders who don't pay their fares and will continue to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law."

Metra customers show their mobile tickets when the conductor is checking for tickets, officials said. The conductor asks the customer to touch the screen, which prompts the colors in the animation to change, allowing the conductor to visually check that the ticket is valid.

"If anyone is caught using a fraudulent version of the mobile app on any Metra train, they will be charged and their phone will be confiscated," Orseno said in the release. "On behalf of Metra customers who pay their fair share every day, we will continue to try to collect every dollar that is owed to us."

Metra riders that have information about potential fraudulent use of the app are asked to call Metra police at (312) 322-2800.

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