restaurant making un-authorized charges - what do i do?

[SirPsycho82]

Originally posted by: Czesia

Originally posted by: Transition
I only signed for $19.88 on the receipt. There's no mention of any gratuity charges.

You should have been charged only what you signed for. Sounds weird to me. I'd go down to the restaurant and bring it to their attention that you only signed for $19.88, not an additional 20%. Technically, if you never signed for it, I don't think they can charge it to your account. If you still don't get anywhere, call the CC company and get it sorted out. Even if it's only $3.00, this restaurant is probably doing this to everyone that eats there and 20% gratuity that no one knows about really adds up over time. Still, talk to them first. It'll probably sort itself out in no time.

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Just call the credit card company and dispute the whole thing. I bet you can do that since they voided the sale by charging you the wrong amount. I woudln't even call the restaurant because they'll giv eyou some BS answer about oops we didn't mean to when they really did. Screw them back by disputing the whole charge and wait til they come to you.

Just tell the CC company "The charge that is on my charge account was not authorized". That's a completely true statement and all you need to prove to have it removed.

Uggh! Read the entire thread and learn about credit cards, please. Unless this is "charge" is a week old or older, it is only an authorization. It only allows the restaurant to know that you have the correct funds to cover the bill and any POSSIBLE tip.

Have you guys ever used a credit card at a restaurant and then checked your bill online when you got home? I know it isn't just me since it happens on all of my credit/debit cards, from several different banks. Also, I know since my company deals with a merchant account.

 

[waggy]

sirpsyco is right. many places place a "temp" charge which is higher then the original.

But continue checking it. If in say a 3 days it still says that amount call the restaurant.

A few years ago we had something like this happen. Me and my wife took another couple out for dinner at ruby Tuesdays (or applebees they are next to each other heh) the service was terrible! the waitress was slow and never brought us our refills. Well the bill came for like $65 which i paid for with a Debit card I also put a Zero in the tip line. But did leave $2 for a tip.

Well about 2 days latter my wife checked the account on the INTERNET and it was for $70! Well we never had one get charged for more with a debit card (CC are sometimes opened for more then charged correctly. never seen a debit card do that). So i called them up and talked to a manager. he said he will pull the receipt. He called back the next day and said that there was NO tip marked did see that it was charged for $5 more.

Well i blew up. i was pissed! I wanted them to credit my account the $5 or i was disputing the charges (btw most have a $50 limit) and calling the police. he said he needs to talk to the regional manager etc. Well a few days latter i get a call from them asking me to come in and talk about it. We ended up getting dinner free that night (drinks and desert too!) we also got $50 in gift certificate and my $5 back!

 

[waggy]

oh and since its hidden in my post. Unless the charge is over 50 it may not be worth reporting to the CC place. Many have a thing where you pay the first $50 even on a fraud charge.

 

[RossMAN]

SirPsycho82 is correct.

Wait until the credit card hard posts (3-5 days) before jumping to any assumptions.

Some gas stations will do the same thing, as well as hotels, car rental companies, etc.