Dozens of customers have reported suspicious transactions on their bank accounts linked to Wreck Bistro, the former Liverpool restaurant, prompting its ex-owner Gary Usher to speak out.
Wreck Bistro, formerly Wreckfish, was based in the Ropewalks area of Liverpool city centre. It was announced in September that Wreck, part of Mr Usher's Elite Bistros stable, had been acquired by Andrew Sheridan's Open Restaurant Group, with its final service on October 4. Shortly after, the site reopened as Seel & Slater, a New York-inspired bar and grill.
Customers report mystery payments
Former visitors have taken to Reddit to share experiences of unexplained charges. One said: "We went to eat at Wreck back in August and until today I wasn't even aware they've apparently closed or changed ownership in October."
They added: "This morning I had an online transaction from my bank for £8.80 to 'Connected'. I didn't recognise it at all so I started raising it with my bank and they said it was linked to a card check for £0.00 that I approved from 'WRECK FISH' in early August. I told them we ate at Wreck Bistro that day and paid in person via card but I think I probably approved a card check for £0.00 when I booked the table online."
Many Reddit users reported similar activity. One said: "Oh wow I've just had the same. I cancelled a table with them when it changed hands. Thanks for heads up." Another said: "Oh my god me too??? I only went the once months and months ago."
Another user said: "I also had a payment this morning for £8.80 from 'Connected'. I'd used my card to secure a reservation at Wreck in August, which I subsequently cancelled. I've no evidence that the £8.80 charge has come from them, I just stumbled across this thread. I've asked my bank to investigate."
One person described the situation as 'spooky', adding: "I have come across this, my wife has booked in with the new place that took over from Wreck Fish and is due to go later this month. She has been to Wreck Fish loads but not for a few years. Yesterday she started seeing payments for connected and max ecom for £8.80 and other amounts in US dollars $6.80 and $5.00 and then some for £0.00. She has cancelled the cards and ordered a new one."
Wider impact and response
The ECHO spoke to other previous Wreck customers who saw similar transactions. One said: "I first realised that something was wrong when I woke up on Saturday [November 7] morning to find that £75.75 had been taken from my account by a Brandon Plumbing."
They added: "I knew immediately that it couldn't be right as I've not used a plumbing service for a while and after speaking to my bank I found out that Brandon Plumbing are based in Florida, which was further confirmation that this was not right. I later discovered that smaller payments had been taken from my accounts in the days leading up to the £75.75 payment. After speaking to my bank they assured me that it wasn't fraud and that it must be connected to some sort of ongoing subscription. However, last night [November 9] I received a message from my bank saying they have 'found an issue' with my card and are issuing me a new one."
Gary Usher addressed the situation in a video on Instagram. He said: "Thank you to the people who have got in touch to let us know about an odd transaction from their account. The recurring theme seems to be £8. It is coming from a business that doesn't exist anymore, it is coming from Wreck in Liverpool, which doesn't exist. It is coming from the payment processing company Stripe, which lets businesses accept online payments."
He added: "We immediately let Stripe know last week on Friday, by all accounts they have done nothing about it. A couple of people have got in touch with their bank and it has been refunded by their bank. All we can do is say please alert your bank, please get in touch with Stripe the same as we have. Our hands are pretty tied on this as the business doesn't exist but we will keep you posted."
Stripe is an Irish-American financial services platform that allows businesses to accept payments. The ECHO contacted the company and was told they would not comment on individual users.
A spokesperson for Seel & Slater said: "On Friday, we became aware that a former customer of Wreck Bistro had reported a suspicious transaction of approximately 8 US dollars, which appeared to be connected to Wreck Bistro's former reservation platform. When Seel & Slater took over the premises from Elite Bistros, we did not take on its payment system or reservation platform. We contacted Elite Bistros to make them aware of the matter and also liaised with the payment processing company, Stripe, to bring the issue to its attention."
The spokesperson added: "Unfortunately, Stripe was unable to provide any information to Seel & Slater, as we were not the owner of the account. We therefore reported the matter to the relevant authorities and have continued to lobby Stripe to ensure that the public and former Wreck Bistro customers are protected. Stripe has confirmed that the transaction in question is not connected to Seel & Slater. We have also continued to support the customer who contacted us, and remain available to assist the relevant authorities in any way we can to help identify those responsible."
