What to Do When a Restaurant Charges You Twice
Discover a straightforward guide to effectively resolve an unexpected double charge from a restaurant. Regain control of your finances.
Discovering an unexpected duplicate charge from a restaurant on your financial statement can be confusing. This common issue occurs when two identical transactions for the same meal appear, often due to a technical glitch or human error. This article outlines practical actions you can take to resolve these double charges effectively.
Verify the Duplicate Charge
Before taking any action, meticulously check your bank or credit card statements to confirm a duplicate charge. Differentiate between a pending authorization and a posted charge; a true double charge involves two identical, posted transactions with the same merchant, amount, and date. Pending authorizations are temporary holds that usually disappear within a few business days, while posted charges are permanent deductions from your account. Comparing your statement with any physical or digital receipts from your meal can provide clear evidence.
This documented proof is essential for communicating with the restaurant or your financial institution. Ensure the charges are identical and not, for example, two separate transactions for different meals or visits.
Contact the Restaurant Directly
Once you have confirmed the duplicate charge, contact the restaurant directly, as this often leads to the quickest resolution. Gather all relevant information, including the exact date and time of your visit, the precise amount of both charges, and the last four digits of the payment card used. If you have a physical or digital receipt, note any transaction identification numbers, as this can assist the restaurant in locating the transactions.
When contacting the restaurant, aim to call during non-peak hours, such as mid-afternoon, to ensure staff can dedicate time to your inquiry. Request to speak with a manager or someone authorized to handle financial discrepancies. Clearly and calmly explain that you have been charged twice for the same meal and provide all the specific information you have gathered.
Politely request a refund for the duplicate charge. The restaurant may process an immediate refund, or they might need a few business days to investigate. Maintain a detailed log of all communication attempts, noting the date, time, the name of the person you spoke with, and a summary of the discussion. This record keeping is valuable if further action becomes necessary.
Dispute the Charge with Your Bank or Card Issuer
If attempts to resolve the issue directly with the restaurant are unsuccessful, or if unresponsive, the next step is to dispute the charge with your bank or credit card issuer. This process provides consumer protection when direct merchant resolution fails. Initiate this step promptly, typically within 60 days from the statement date of the charge, to comply with consumer protection regulations.
When initiating a dispute, provide your financial institution with specific information about the duplicate charge. This includes the dates and amounts of the disputed transactions, the merchant’s name, and proof from your statement. Crucially, provide documentation of your attempts to resolve the issue with the restaurant, such as dates of calls, names of individuals spoken to, and any email correspondence. This demonstrates direct resolution attempts.
Most financial institutions offer several ways to initiate a dispute: online banking, customer service, or a written form. Upon receiving your dispute, the bank or card issuer typically provides a temporary credit while investigating the claim. This investigation period varies but often takes several weeks, during which the financial institution contacts the merchant.
Consumer protections like the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) for credit cards and Regulation E for debit cards outline consumer and financial institution rights and responsibilities regarding billing errors. These regulations require timely investigation and resolution, often within 30 to 90 days. Always keep meticulous records of all communication with your bank or card issuer, including reference numbers for your dispute and copies of all submitted evidence.