Coney-I-Lander on 11th...been there lately?

[AngieB]

My husband went to Coney-I-Lander a few weeks ago and used his debit card to pay. He remembers the amount - $6.66. That's a total that you tend to make note of. Anyway, since then, we have had FIVE charges from them in the amount of $3.34. Even after bringing it to their attention after discovering the fist two debits, it has happened three more times. We tried to give them an opportunity to fix it and now we will have to have that card cancelled and a new one issued. Kind of a pain in the tush, y'know?

I realize, it could be a computer glitch, BUT it could be an employee thinking that such a small amount wouldn't be noticed. And if you hit enough people, it's a nice tidy sum of money.

What I'm getting at, if you've been there in the last month or so, and used a card to pay, CHECK YOUR STATEMENT!

I'd like to hear if this has happened/is happening to anyone else.

[Conan71]

I wasn't even aware they were taking plastic.  I guess I got so used to the "cash only" signs at that one and the one by the Promenade I never noticed that had changed.

That right there is a great reason to bank on-line or get a detailed statement every time you make a deposit.  Good thing you caught it.

Sheesh after Nellie said something similar about Fiesta Mart at 15th & Harvard I'm starting to think I'm surrounded by debit card crooks.

[Breadburner]

Call your bank not the Coney Island....

[cannon_fodder]

Good thing you caught it!  I'm not as astute with my receipts as I should be but do look over my statements, however - several charges at, say QT would go unnoticed.

Anyway, I call shenanigans.  I cannot believe they did not take this VERY seriously as it is either a customer lying for $3, a computer glitch or an employee embezzling money from customers/the company.  Since the first possibility seems somewhat unlikely and the second two are so severe they merit concern - I would be VERY concerned about this.

My guess - an employee using your credit card numbers to by his 50% discounted food.  Good catch, but since the business doesnt care he will probably just take someone elses card now.  I'll be avoiding that place.  Thanks.

[AngieB]

quote:Originally posted by Breadburner

Call your bank not the Coney Island....

Well, duh. Do you think we did not do that already?

Regardless, Coney-I-Lander needs to know it's happening and be given the opportunity to investigate.

[AngieB]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

I cannot believe they did not take this VERY seriously as it is either a customer lying for $3, a computer glitch or an employee embezzling money from customers/the company.  Since the first possibility seems somewhat unlikely and the second two are so severe they merit concern - I would be VERY concerned about this.

Yeah, I mean at some point is this not criminal? Right now, they're into us for $16.70 -- not a big deal. But if it is more widespread, there's a real problem.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by TulsaMINI

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

I cannot believe they did not take this VERY seriously as it is either a customer lying for $3, a computer glitch or an employee embezzling money from customers/the company.  Since the first possibility seems somewhat unlikely and the second two are so severe they merit concern - I would be VERY concerned about this.

Yeah, I mean at some point is this not criminal? Right now, they're into us for $16.70 -- not a big deal. But if it is more widespread, there's a real problem.

It's possible someone doesn't know how to work the merchant terminal and keeps re-batching (why it would do that at less than half your DH's purchase is beyond me), or it might well be an employee using it for personal food purchases- that sounds pretty logical actually.

Credit card fraud is credit card fraud from the git-go.  

It's so wide-spread no one gets in a twist about it until it winds up in the thousands though.  The position of law enforcement is to get you to work it out before you trouble them.  

They don't have near the man power to worry about a even a few hundred in bogus charges.  I'm sure one of the law officers on here will argue the point, but I've had personal experience with it.  That's the way it works locally and federally.  Go pound salt in your ear until it's big enough fraud to make it worth going to court.

Merchant banks don't get too upset either, it usually is settled by a charge-back to the merchant's account where the charge originated.  Banks talk about losing billions a year due to credit card fraud.  Merchants lose more than they do.

[tulsa_fan]

A couple of things  . . . my husband eats there often, I did double check our charges, looks like we are in the clear.

Conan is right, there is no time to follow up on the fraud, BUT it is very important to document the crime.  Maybe its only $17 now, but IF someone is using your card, and they see they can get away with the small charges, they may start going bigger.  At least a police report will move the credit bureaus much more quickly.   Plus, no crime should EVER go unreported.  Just remember, reporting crimes like this are what the online system was set up for.  You don't want to wait hours for an officer to get free.  Go online, file the report, you get a number quickly and that's all you will need if you have to pursue it with your creditor or Coney Islander.

I've actually used the online report for a computer that stolen at work, it was very simple and I had a incident number within the hour.  

Mini, I do hope you find someone who can help you, they have been around for a long time and I know how quickly word of mouth can hurt a business.  Good luck.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by TulsaMINI

He remembers the amount - $6.66.

well there is your problem.....obviously the devil is doing it.

[AngieB]

Mystery solved. Coney Islander not guilty.

Here's what happened...

DH has an affinity for these tasty little breakfast sandwiches that he gets at the Daylight Donuts on W. 23rd. His total? $3.34.

The confusion lies in that they are Daylight Donuts in the morning and a Coney Island in the afternoon. The merchant number showing on our statement is the same.

SO...he's naturally quite embarrassed and feels bad for causing them any trouble and really wishes his "aha moment" would have come BEFORE canceling the debit card.

So, apologies to Coney Islander. Now everyone go have a coney!!

[Conan71]

And the whole time DH thought breakfast was free... []

Hey, I've had those moments!

[Noodlez]

quote:Originally posted by TulsaMINI

Mystery solved. Coney Islander not guilty.

Now everyone go have a coney!!

Sounds like a darn good idea there, but I think I am gonna have 3