[Pila0431]

I visited a local restaurant for lunch on Wednesday, last week and paid for it with my credit card. The waitress took my card, I assume to the back, and charged my card and returned it with the receipt to sign. There was nothing unusual about the transaction. Over the weekend I checked my charges and found two charges, one for $359.95 and another for $362.95 (both on line). I know it happened at the restaurant because I did not use the card again until Sunday, when it was declined, which prompted me to look at my balance and I saw the charges. We obviously are not saying the name of the restaurant, but we are calling the manager to alert them they have a thief on their wait staff and they should buy portable credit scanners so the staff can bring it to the table to be charged thru the card chip. Even though I know it was done there, because of the transaction date, and the sparse use of my card during that time, my warning would be to check your on-line balance daily. It's a good thing I do not put much money in the debit card account as they tried another charge but it was denied. A warning to the wise is hopefully enough.

[villagetinker]

I set up email alerts for all credit cards, bank accounts, etc. I usually get the emails within 15 minutes of the charge. I set the amounts for the alerts to $25 or less. I have actually had Chase on the phone disputing a several hundred dollar charge for race tickets less than 20 minutes after the charge was made.

[Skip]

In some restaurants it's the manager that inputs the bill into the charge card system. So reporting it to the manager is of no help. He/she may be the thief.
You need to call the credit card company (bank fraud dept.) and give them the details. They will shut off that card and express you a new number. Then you have to update all your auto-charge accounts.
If VISA/MC/AE/DISC gets just one or two more like that (at Restaurant X) they will shut down their billing system until they find the culprit.
Never fear your credit card (number) being stolen. It's your debit card you don't want to hand anyone.
There is NO REASON you should hide who the restaurant is, as long as it's factual. So tell us.

Skip

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I do t know why anyone uses a debit card when you have so much protection including alertS from card company Sometime when I’m shopping or vacationing or just out of blue they my turn down a purchase but very quickly send a text asking if these last 3 purchases were yours you say yes or no and then your good to submit card , you also have a right when bill comes in to dispute credit. I never ever check my balance, you are no liable when bill comes in ,also my card is no fee , and I receive between $1000, and $1500 a year back and bill is automatically drafted from credit union every month I have not paid any interest in the 20years I’ve had card

[retiredguy123]

I always pay cash at restaurants. I use a credit card for all other purchases, and I never use a debit card to purchase anything. I get instant email alerts for all transactions over 5 dollars. So, I can't see this scam ever affecting me.

[Stu from NYC]

I wish everyone would do this at your table and not leave with your CC in hand.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I always pay cash at restaurants.

Yeah, so do we.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Pila0431

I know it happened at the restaurant

And what proof do you have of this vs. someone got your card number three weeks ago, or three months ago or three years ago and just used it now.

[n8xwb]

I totally agree with "Mr. Helpful".....you really have NO idea when your card number was stolen, hence no idea if in fact the restaurant was involved.

[asianthree]

Op we used our card at a small business that we knew the family. Six weeks later charges started on the same card. American Express contacted us on the first charge, letting us know they were aware of possible fraud.

Sent us a new card, while allowing more charges on first card. Took 2 weeks, To find out the 23yo son of the family was who stole the numbers. Sad part was the family never spoke to us again, because Amx pressed charges

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Op we used our card at a small business that we knew the family. Six weeks later charges started on the same card. American Express contacted us on the first charge, letting us know they were aware of possible fraud.

Sent us a new card, while allowing more charges on first card. Took 2 weeks, To find out the 23yo son of the family was who stole the numbers. Sad part was the family never spoke to us again, because Amx pressed charges

Wow like it was your fault the son was a thief

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Pila0431

but we are calling the manager to alert them they have a thief on their wait staff

I hope you have proof.................strong words.

[Northwoods]

I also have an alert on my card... I get a text whenever it's used. I usually pay in cash at restaurants.
You really don't know when your information was stolen. Here's what happened to me - I had a credit card I hadn't used in over a year. I got a bill in the mail I almost threw away without opening because I knew I no longer used that card. The charge was for $2000. I disputed the charge and I never had to pay it. But someone got credit card info that hadn't been used in over a year....

[EdFNJ]

By any possibility was it Red Sauce as there have been MULTIPLE complaints of this happening there over on Nextdoor app a while ago but for smaller amounts (haven't been on Nextdoor in months to see if it continued) and not sure but I think I remember one thread here. I'll have to look.

If it's a CC you are 100% covered by your card company so I see no reason not to use a CC in a restaurant. Our cards have been compromised probably 2 dozen times over the years with some really CRAZY stuff like a $5000 flooring purchase in Idaho being delivered to Arizona but never had any hassle dealing with it. NEVER USE A DEBIT CARD, it's 10x thew hassle to get reimbursed but you still eventually will.

[papasetti82]

I can block and unblock my debit card with BOA.