Restaurateur 'defrauded customers'
An Attadale restaurant owner is facing dozens of fraud charges after allegedly withdrawing more that $27,000 from customers' bank accounts without their knowledge.
Police will allege the 39-year-old man from Mt Pleasant, who owns and runs the restaurant on Hislop Road, withdrew funds from customers' accounts without authority and put through a second transaction for some diners who paid with credit cards.
It will be alleged the man unlawfully withdrew $27,681 from the victims' bank accounts between January and September 2013.
The restaurant continued operating after police seized its EFTPOS machine.
The owner has been charged with 26 counts of fraud and is due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on April 15.
Police are investigating whether there have been other unauthorised transactions and want to speak to anyone who suspects they might be a victim of overcharging at the restaurant.
Police say the charges are a timely reminder of the need to take precautions when using credit cards.
To avoid unauthorised transactions, police advise card holders to be observant when paying bills and watch their cards at all times.
Customers should ask for a receipt and request an itemised account if a tip is added to the bill.
They should also regularly check credit card statements.
