Servers elevating Tips at HQ Restaurants in the Valley - Be sure to check your Credit Card Statements! (Scottsdale: crime, how much)

[jamiedan]

So this just happened to me for the third time in six months this past weekend. And with a young family we don't eat out much.

We went out to Citizen Public House in Scottsdale for my Birthday on Saturday, when adding on service we rounded up the bill to $100. Two days later here I am routinely scanning transactions on my credit card via the American Express website, and what do I come across but a charge from Citizen Public House for $110! Click on it for more info and it's broken down to show the tip is $10 more than I added!

Obviously I have called the restaurant and am awaiting their response, which I'm sure will be "Server made an honest mistake". Well I'm not buying it anymore, this happened to us at Olive & Ivy in Scottsdale last July, and also at a work holiday party at Culinary Dropout in Tempe just before Christmas. Once I can take as a mistake, but now I see something more sinister going on.

Ultimately very few people check their credit card/bank statements at least once a week, and that's what these servers are depending on, and why they are getting away with it. By the time people get around to seeing the charge on their statements, they've most likely forgotten the cost and how much they left.

Clearly the server didn't feel the tip we left her was enough, what I decide to leave is my prerogative and this is frankly fraudulent.

Restaurants need to get on top of this. If I've caught 3 in 6 months, this must be a fairly widespread tactic.

So I urge you, regularly keep across your credit card/bank statements or else you may fall victim to the same scam.

[Harpaint]

I've had it happen also, about 6 months ago at a little local Mexican Restaurant. The original bill was only thirty something, and they added 8 dollars for tip. (I had payed the tip in cash). No more credit card usage there for me!

[Bummer]

Damn shame, isn't it?

After a similar "scam" hit me a few years ago, I learned to NEVER add the tip to my Credit Card and ALWAYS either draw a line through the Tip Line or enter a ZERO and then repeat the total.

Sometimes a cash tip is an issue but . . . ONCE BURNED IS ENOUGH.

[Harpaint]

Good ideas for using the card; thanks!

[Colt AZ]

Inconvenient? Sure, but same here.

Cash only at restaurants (tip fraud). Cash only at gas stations (card skimming). It's an unfortunate change in how we do business based on continuous fraud. The main way they get to you is by having access to your card.

Crime we will always have with us. Prepare in advance and fight back.

[Returning2USA]

Originally Posted by jamiedan

So this just happened to me for the third time in six months this past weekend. And with a young family we don't eat out much.

We went out to Citizen Public House in Scottsdale for my Birthday on Saturday, when adding on service we rounded up the bill to $100. Two days later here I am routinely scanning transactions on my credit card via the American Express website, and what do I come across but a charge from Citizen Public House for $110! Click on it for more info and it's broken down to show the tip is $10 more than I added!

Obviously I have called the restaurant and am awaiting their response, which I'm sure will be "Server made an honest mistake". Well I'm not buying it anymore, this happened to us at Olive & Ivy in Scottsdale last July, and also at a work holiday party at Culinary Dropout in Tempe just before Christmas. Once I can take as a mistake, but now I see something more sinister going on.

Ultimately very few people check their credit card/bank statements at least once a week, and that's what these servers are depending on, and why they are getting away with it. By the time people get around to seeing the charge on their statements, they've most likely forgotten the cost and how much they left.

Clearly the server didn't feel the tip we left her was enough, what I decide to leave is my prerogative and this is frankly fraudulent.

Restaurants need to get on top of this. If I've caught 3 in 6 months, this must be a fairly widespread tactic.

So I urge you, regularly keep across your credit card/bank statements or else you may fall victim to the same scam.

Thanks for the note.

That is THEFT.

I prefer to pay cash, even when the bill hits $100 on those rare occasions (and I have several credit cards).

[Returning2USA]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Damn shame, isn't it?

After a similar "scam" hit me a few years ago, I learned to NEVER add the tip to my Credit Card and ALWAYS either draw a line through the Tip Line or enter a ZERO and then repeat the total.

Sometimes a cash tip is an issue but . . . ONCE BURNED IS ENOUGH.

And also, if you're going to use a card and do this, you can take a photo with your smart phone and save the photo of the receipt until the bill arrives in the mail.

Sad to do, but worth it.

[pbenjamin]

HQ Restaurants??? What does that mean?

[JohnSoCal]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Damn shame, isn't it?

After a similar "scam" hit me a few years ago, I learned to NEVER add the tip to my Credit Card and ALWAYS either draw a line through the Tip Line or enter a ZERO and then repeat the total.

Sometimes a cash tip is an issue but . . . ONCE BURNED IS ENOUGH.

We do exactly the same thing.

[blktoptrvl]

Originally Posted by Returning2USA

Thanks for the note.

That is THEFT.

I prefer to pay cash, even when the bill hits $100 on those rare occasions (and I have several credit cards).

Should be reported to CC company as theft.