Jacksonville pizzeria accused of overcharging customers by hundreds of dollars

Celino’s Pizza in Arlington is defending itself against claims of overcharging customers, sometimes by hundreds of dollars.

Rich and Talitha Pollock said they were once loyal customers of Celino’s, until a recent trip earlier this month.

They said they used their debit card to pay for two pizzas.

“We signed that day for $24.00 but in the bank account it was $274.43,” Rich Pollock said.

The couple got their money back from their bank, but said they may lose it again after the bank investigates the cause.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Economic Crimes Unit is investigating as well. Police made three reports on Thursday alone, following more overcharging claims.

Employees at the restaurant reportedly told officers they didn’t know where the overcharging came from.

Action News Jax has also learned Celino’s now has an ‘F’ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

The BBB tells us the restaurant has three pending complaints related to overcharging, one that dates back to March.

We went to the restaurant on Friday for answers.

“We’re trying to fix it,” said Manager Elvan Kocak. “That’s why I cancelled the card machine and am trying to get a new one.”

Kocak told us it was the fault of the credit card merchant company. Our calls to that company went unreturned.

Anna Lee Rodriguez is another victim who said the restaurant overcharged her $250.00.

We watched as the restaurant refunded her the money, but said it would take a couple days for the money to be back in her account.

“Now I don’t have the money to pay for my car,” Rodriguez said.

Kocak told Action News Jax he’d refund customers who were overcharged if they bring in their bank statements.

Cox Media Group