Wow - what establishment is this? What kind of scum sucking pigs would basically perpetuate what sounds like fraud? Whatever restaurant this is, Ardmore doesn't need these kind of bad-for-business problems, huh? Where there is smoke there is fire....bet this letter grows legs, huh? People like this should be OUT of business, not IN. Hmmm....this person signed a slip that was 1/2 the bill? That is fraud if they charged this customer the whole amount, isn't it?

Reprinted from Main Line Times:

Posted on Wed, Jun 18, 2008
Beware of using card when splitting a check

TO THE EDITOR:Diners beware when splitting checks with credit cards!

On May 24, I dined in a well established restaurant in Ardmore with three other ladies. When the check arrived, two of us gave our credit cards and asked for the check to be split in half. The waitress returned with a credit slip to each card holder for half of the bill, and we each added on a nice tip. I only signed a slip that showed half the bill!

On or about June 1, I was checking my card account online and discovered that this restaurant charged me for the full bill (of which I never signed a slip for the complete amount) PLUS the correct charge for half plus tip.

My bank advised to first work this out with the restaurant. The owner has been difficult and I still have not received a credit for the $60 charge that I never signed for but was charged against my credit card. He refuses to charge the amount back on my card and says he will only give me cash. I went today and no cash.

My point is to alert all who split checks at restaurants to make sure to check the related account associated with the card used. I have asked many people of late if they check their statements after dining and splitting checks and all of told me that they rarely do that as they assume they are only charged for the slip that they sign WRONG.

Question: How many restaurants charge cards for more than the half they sign for thinking that the card holder will never check out their statements??? This is STEALING and I am sure that this is not the first time that this restaurant double charged patrons.

A normal owner of a restaurant after a customer brings in paperwork that proves she was overcharged would be most apologetic and make immediate amends. I called dropped off the proof and never from the owner Until finally I called and insisted on talking with him to have my card credit for the over charge. I was told I had to fax my credit information before they would credit my card I faxed the information and all of a sudden I receive a phone call from the owner whom I was told was not on site at the restaurant. He was rude, questioning me on how much tip did I leave all unrelated questions to his stealing.

Today I went to pick up the cash and no cash I told them that the cash better be in an envelope for me tomorrow friday or I am going to my bank and the police.

You as editor of the number 1 newspaper in this area owe it to the public to alert them on restaurant credit scams.

Thank you,[name removed]Penn Valley