What to do when a restaurant overcharges my debit card?

Question

So I went to dinner last night with two other people. I was only supposed to be charged $22.97 tip but right now I have a pre-authorization for $68.92 which is what the bill was before it was split.

I asked one of the other people who I went to dinner with how much they were charged, and they said there's is 22.97.. The other person paid cash so she has nothing to worry about.

I'm really hoping that the total will change once the final is posted, but I'm worried that it won't. What if they slid my card for someone else's check? (This was at a restaurant where the charge is the same for all adults so the possibility of them charging my card for a different check is quite possible.)

Should I wait until the final amount is posted to do something? Should I contact them over the phone or should I go there in person? Or should I just deal with this through my bank?

Answer 1

Call your credit card company NOW. Let them handle that. Then call where you were and used your credit card or go back with your bill. I am sure they will credit your account for you. Just make sure you call your credit card company and let them know what is going on.

Answer 2

Wait for the final amount. It's very common for the pre-authorization to be larger, and something like the whole expected bill. Then the final charge comes through correctly.



Even if you contact your bank now, they're not going to touch it until the charge goes through for the final amount. They'll just tell you to wait and call back. Check it again in a couple days.

Answer 3

I would go back and talk to them directly. When splitting bill unwise to use debit card as confusing for resturant.

Answer 4

Wait until the charge is finalized, happens a lot with restaurants. It will likely be correct when finalized.

Answer 5

I would go there and explain what happened. Quite likely it was an innocent mistake and they might just refund you there and then