£2 cash back - theft!

Gunsh0tglitt3r · 29 August 2017 at 4:52PM

Hiya,

Not sure if this is in the right place, but I would appreciate some advice!

Went away for the bank holiday weekend, and this morning I was going through my receipts and noticed one where the cashier at a local store has put a £2 cash back through on top of my £17 purchase in the store! I never asked for cash back, and I certainly wouldn't ask for £2! and if I wanted £2 to purchase something in store, I would have added it with all of my other items, and paid in one transaction.

The cashier has obviously pocketed my £2 and any other visiting customer who isn't paying too much attention!

I know it is a small amount, but my account is now £2 short for all my debit deductions on my account and I will now be charged for insufficient funds (just my luck!).

So, where do I stand with this? Who should I contact? Obviously the store (which I believe is a franchise all over the country) and my bank? I don't know where to start so any advice would be appreciated!

Thank you!

Sparx · 29 August 2017 at 5:08PM

I would suggest the retailer first with a copy of your receipt (although this will likely show cashback taken?) they may have to check CCTV if cash is being pocketed, or not being given to you

Failing that your bank, again with the receipt as proof. Otherwise you'll have no luck for the sake of £2.

The only saving grace that kind of works in your favour, is £2 cashback is a bit of an odd amount to request cashback. I thought you could only ask for it in £5 increments! i.e .£5, 10, 15, 20 etc.

Ballard · 29 August 2017 at 6:04PM

I would imagine that you're not the only victim and that others will have hopefully complained to the store. If so then you may find no argument when you return.

Ben8282 · 30 August 2017 at 1:31AM

£2 cashback is a very odd amount. I too believed that cashback was always in multiples of a higher amount.
I rarely ask for cashback but on the rare occasions that I have I recall being asked to sign or initial the merchant copy of the receipt to confirm that I had received it.
It really is your responsibility to check the amount that you are paying at the till. For example, if your receipt showed that you had bought 6 tins of baked beans when you had bought only 5, it would be impossible to prove anything subsequently.
It really depends what sort of shop this was. If it was a major chain supermarket go to the customer service desk and report the theft. Alternatively dispute the transaction with the bank which issued the debit card in question and see what happens.

Gunsh0tglitt3r · 30 August 2017 at 9:37AM

Thanks for the advice/replies!

I know it is my responsibility to check the receipt etc, but I didn't.
I have only ever been asked to sign a receipt upon receiving cash back at one store, and it wasn't this one!
I can't just go into the store and complain as they are about 70 miles away, so I've emailed their customer service; we'll see what happens.
I think I was more shocked when I couple than anything else, that this cheeky f####r had nicked 2 quid from me! And looking back, he was all chatty, telling me his whole sad life story.. which now I can see was to keep me engaged while I automatically put my card/receipt away.

I don't expect to get my £2 back! He might need it more than me pretty soon, but I don't think this guy should be allowed to have access to other peoples funds and pick and choose which out of town visitor he thinks can afford to lose a couple of quid here and there.

If anything, it was a (cheap) lesson for me to learn.

Oakdene · 30 August 2017 at 9:40AM

I dont know how it would show but are you sure it isnt a charity donation you have added to your bill? Only reason I am asking is I went to fuel up my van yesterday in an independant fuel station & I paid by card, the guy handed me the card terminal & it said would you like to add a £1 charity donation?

Gunsh0tglitt3r · 30 August 2017 at 9:49AM

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it wasn't a charity donation, the receipt clearly says sale with cashback, and I paid contactlessly. I've seen the charity donation screens before, and I'm pretty sure you can't go past that screen and pay unless you choose yes/no. Surely that would be listed on the receipt as a charity donation for those using them as tax deductions?

Oakdene · 30 August 2017 at 9:50AM

Gunsh0tglitt3r wrote: »

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it wasn't a charity donation, the receipt clearly says sale with cashback, and I paid contactlessly. I've seen the charity donation screens before, and I'm pretty sure you can't go past that screen and pay unless you choose yes/no. Surely that would be listed on the receipt as a charity donation for those using them as tax deductions?

Im not sure, was just a thought. I did ask the guy behind the counter what charity they were raising for & he didnt even know there was a donation option on the terminal!!

Gunsh0tglitt3r · 30 August 2017 at 9:57AM

Haha, that sounds about right - and just had a quick google.. seems if these companies collect donations and then "pay" them forward to the charity, they can claim corporation tax relief.. isn't money fun!