Overcharge scam or accidental mistake?

Overcharge scam
The salesman who overcharged me in Rome’s Mercato di Campo de’ Fiori
overcharge scam
Kitchenware for sale at Rome’s Mercato di Campo de’ Fiori

Overcharge Scam

“Do you take credit cards?”

“Si, signora,” the salesman replied.

“How much is this pepper grinder?”

“€12.90.”

So why was the credit card slip made out for 15.90 euros? Accident? Or was this a little scam the market man thought he could pull on an idiot tourist? On a hurried customer, one who might not examine the credit card slip.

This was in Rome’s bustling outdoor market in Campo de’ Fiori, at the large kitchenware stand right next to a man pressing pomegranate halves as fast as he could and selling €6 cups of juice to an endless line of customers.

When I called him on it, the salesman wordlessly handed me three euros in coins. Not sheepishly. Just wordlessly.

Like a pickpocket who silently drops the stolen wallet on the ground. Not me… there it is… no harm done, right?

I can’t say for sure that this was a systematic overcharge scam used—perhaps vengefully?—on customers who have the audacity to pay with a credit card. But I have my opinion…

What do you think?

© Copyright 2008-present Bambi Vincent. All rights reserved.

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  1. says: Craig

    Perhaps a better “whoops, I typed in the wrong number!” scam would have been to charge you €19.20 — swap the 2 and the 9, which seems more plausible than pressing an incorrect number.

    Heck, an extra zero, making it €129.00, would probably fly under the radar for many tourists since they’re unlikely to check their credit card statement until they get home.

  2. says: Craig

    The merchant loses a few percent on credit card transactions so by giving you €3 in cash he actually lost money. If it were an honest mistake I would expect him to cancel the transaction and re-do it for €12.90 (if the system allowed it) or attempt to put €3 back on your card (like merchants do when you return something). Since he gave you cash without much thought, I assume he was willing to lose the 3% because he will make up for it on the next tourist who doesn’t notice the scam.