Del Taco charges customers thousands for pizzas, tacos and drinks

SANTA PAULA, Calif., April 21 (UPI) -- Customers who went to a Del Taco in Southern California spent a small fortune after they unknowingly ordered items off the “thousand-dollar” menu.

Due to an error affecting debit and credit card transactions at the fast food chain’s Santa Paula location, about 150 customers were accidentally charged thousands of dollars for pizzas, burritos, tacos and sodas.

Michael Cole found out about the mistake when he couldn’t withdraw $20 from an ATM. According to his financial statement, he paid $4,050 for one CrunchTada Pizza and two beef tacos. "I don't even think I've spent that much in the last five years," Cole told the Ventura County Star.

One customer paid $10,200 for a meal that should have cost $10.20 while another customer, Austin Dillon, paid $4,260 for $4.26 worth of food. "It's kind of obvious because it was Del Taco," he said.

All of the customers who were overcharged will be getting refunds.

“The credit card processor is aware of the situation, and has contacted the individual banks involved in an effort to reverse the charges as soon as possible. In fact many customers have already seen charge reversals on their accounts,” Del Taco said in a statement.

"It's not going to deter me from coming back," Cole said. "I'll probably use cash from now on."

[Ventura County Star]