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Javajoe25

Javajoe25 is a Reader contributor. See staff page for published articles.

Credit card surcharges still banned by Song-Beverly

This problem is much larger than most people realize. I went to a local restaurant awhile back, and after enjoying a tasty breakfast I paid with my credit card, leaving a generous tip in cash, on the table. A day or so later, I went on line to check my bank account as I often do, and discovered the restaurant had charged an additional 15%. The charge was "pending" and had not yet gone through. I contacted my bank, Union Bank, and told them the charge was not legitimate. They told me they pay whatever the merchant submits. I asked what was the purpose of a receipt if the merchant can submit a charge for whatever they want? The bank said I could file a claim and initiate an investigation. I made it clear that the charge was in excess of what I agreed to and they should under no circumstances pay anything more. I then called the restaurant and spoke with the manager who tried to tell me it was "the computer." I made it clear if they submit a charge for anything beyond what my receipt indicates, I would file a complaint with the appropriate agencies. I waited and watched as that charge remained in the pending category. A day or two later, the charge disappeared completely. I thought I was getting a freebie as an enticement not to file any complaints, but then the charge reappeared, this time for the correct amount, and processed through as normal. I've had several conversations with the bank and am amazed that they could care less what it says on your receipt. They pay--out of your account of course--whatever charge any merchant submits, with the explanation that you can always file a claim and you will probably get your money back eventually. Am I crazy, or has the train gone off the track? I've also noticed there is now a new sentence that appears whenever I pull up my account on line, that says, "Some charges, such as gas stations and restaurants, may change." Hello? May change? Wtf is going on? Seems like basic bookkeeping has gone out the window and we now play fast and loose.
— February 24, 2016 7:06 p.m.

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4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
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