Petrol station glitch charges customers up to 134 times

If you’ve recently stopped to fill up your tank, it might be worth taking a second look at your bank statement.

What should have been a routine fuel purchase has turned into a financial headache for some customers—one that’s raising eyebrows across the country.

The trouble began on Saturday, 31 May, when Steve visited his local Reddy Express petrol station for what should have been a straightforward $106 fill-up. 

Like most of us, he tapped his card, grabbed his receipt and went on his way—none the wiser. 

It wasn’t until his wife checked their bank account that the jaw-dropping truth emerged: Steve had been charged 134 times for the same transaction, totalling $14,200.

‘I called the station straight away,’ Steve shared. ‘They said it was a nationwide issue and gave me another number to call.’

But instead of a helpful voice, Steve was met with an automated message: ‘We’re aware of the issue, you’ll be refunded within two to seven days.’

Unfortunately, Steve wasn’t alone.

Brodie, a customer in Geraldton, Western Australia, found her $40 fuel purchase had been debited five times.

‘I felt really annoyed as this isn’t the first time we have been scammed,’ she said. 

‘It’s the inconvenience that it causes—I’ve had to lock my card. They say they want a cashless society, but I can’t see how that will work. This sort of thing keeps happening more and more.’

What went wrong?

Reddy Express has since confirmed that a technical issue on 31 May led to ‘intermittent EFTPOS errors’—resulting in some customers being charged multiple times for a single transaction.

The company says it is working to reverse any duplicate charges as quickly as possible, and most affected customers should already see refunds appearing in their accounts.

‘We sincerely apologise to any impacted guests,’ Reddy Express said in a statement.

‘We are working to reverse any duplicate transactions as quickly as possible.’

Steve has been notified of a refund, though the funds have yet to be returned.

What should you do if you’re affected?

If you’ve recently filled up at a Reddy Express and suspect you’ve been overcharged, here’s what you need to do:

1. Check your bank statement: Look for any duplicate or excessive charges from Reddy Express.
   
2. Gather evidence: Take screenshots or download statements showing the multiple transactions.
   
3. Contact Reddy Express: Email [email protected] or call 1800 656 055. The company is providing forms for affected customers to claim their refunds.
   
4. Monitor your account: Refunds are being processed, but if you haven’t received yours within seven days, follow up with customer service.

The bigger picture—is cashless really king?

This incident has reignited debate about the push towards a cashless society.

While tapping and going is undeniably convenient, technical hiccups like this can leave customers out of pocket and frustrated.

For older Australians, who may already be wary of digital payments, stories like Steve’s and Brodie’s only add to the anxiety.

It’s a timely reminder to always check your statements—no matter how small the purchase.

And if you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact your bank or the business directly.

Have you been affected?

As Reddy Express continues to work through the reported EFTPOS errors, many affected customers are still waiting for clarity and refunds. 

While the company has acknowledged the issue and offered a process for reimbursements, the incident raises broader concerns about the reliability of electronic payments and how such errors are managed.

Have you experienced a similar issue with electronic payments at a service station or retailer? How confident do you feel about relying solely on cashless transactions? Do you think companies respond quickly enough when these glitches occur? We’d like to hear your thoughts — feel free to share your experiences or insights in the comments below.

Also read: Who should really cover the cost of card surcharges—businesses or consumers?