debit card transaction question

[Michie]

I noticed on my online banking, that a place that I ate at, my card was charged 5 times. Different transaction numbers though. You actually have to, or rather an emplyee runs your card through the gizmo. How easy is it to be overcharged? They are not consectutive numbers either.

 

[almacdonald]

call your bank! and do it quick if you don't want to be held responsible for the charges!

 

[nordkin]

I agree call the bank immediately and also contact the restuarant. I have had situations where the wait person changed the tip amount and the transaction that posted to my account was higher than my receipt. I contacted both the restuarant and the bank and the money was refunded.

 

[Aidensmom]

I've had it happen where mine was run through twice, contacted the bank, and they immediately changed the second charge to "pending" because it was obvious that it was the same charge run through again - same place, same date, same amount. They left it as pending for so many days that they gave to the vendor to provide a paper proof of the charge, which of course they could not, so it was removed. Because it was only twice, I just figured it was an innocent mistake on part of the vendor, but if it was 5 times there could be someone at that restaurant making fake charges and stealing cash, so I would definately contact the restaurant also.

 

[Michie]

The amounts are all the same,5.22. And I know I did not eat there 5 times in a day. I did call the manager and he said he would look into it. I did not know, if they could charge it to my account without sliding my card through the gizmo.

 

[Imzadi]

The amounts are all the same,5.22. And I know I did not eat there 5 times in a day. I did call the manager and he said he would look into it. I did not know, if they could charge it to my account without sliding my card through the gizmo.

No, they don't need the actual card. If your card strip doesn't read properly, they have to manually type it IN. Also, the machine logs a copy of the card number in case there is a problem, like if you go back to a store for a refund. They need to be able to verify it's the same card. So there is a written log somewhere of the actual number & then anyone can charge from it.

I've actually heard where some people buy stuff, then return it trying to get the refund put on a different card to extend their credit on a different card.

And if it's non-consecutive transaction numbers, something is definitely going on.

My bank recently put a freeze on my card. I buy so many crazy things online that I thought my bank never pays attention to my charges. But I rented a car last month. Gas had gone up so much since the last time I bought it, but I filled it with low amounts on my debit card, like $15 -$20 here & there, like I was used to doing. I also didn't want to put more gas in the rental than I originally got. So I ended up filling it 3 times that day.

The next morning as I was returning the car, the card was declined. I called up my bank. The last gas station had swiped my card twice (at 2am.) Between that & those other gas charges in a 24 hour period, my bank thought something strange was going on! Uh, no, most of that is just me.

The second charge MAY have been a mistake by the gas attendant and was taken off, but I also thought that is a great way to make an easy $100 bucks here & there. Double charge LOW amounts like $20 that might not get noticed on someone's bill. Times 5 times & that's an extra $100 for the gas station.

 

[LaLa]

Yep, had this exact thing happen to me, only it wasn't $5.22, it was more like $170 bucks times three at Wal Mart. We contacted the bank, Wal Mart, everybody, and they straightened it all out pretty quickly. We had to sign a sort of affidavit for the bank telling them that we only authorized the original charge, not the other two. From what was explained to us, it was a computer glitch and it happens "all the time".

I did not use my debit card after that for about 6 months, and I still am a little leary every time I have to swipe it. Darn computers takin' over the world.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

This example and fraud is why we use our credit card for everything. When this happens on our credit card it is easily rectified. I don't want anyone messing with our checking account.

Lori

 

[Laurajean1014]

I get this at the dog groomers. They run the card through and then it rings up twice. Establishments that have gratuities attached, sometimes have this problem.