That's a capital crime, as they are stealing money from a bank. Call the authorities as well as your bank to dispute the charges.

Seems odd that the manager didn't catch it when they did books for the day. Which is why i lean more towards it being accidental if anything. The manager wouldn't risk his establishment. It comes back on them first, before the employee.

Pay cash.

Seems like it was the Tip of the iceberg. Heh heh heh.
But seriously the gratuity should be relational to the ineptness of the hack who is shlepping the booze. If I sense any incompetence I must deduct from base 20% because if ive done it its not that hard and really just hustle a little dont be a dick and give the customer what you have. If its a nice rack dont be niggardly with the smiles. If you are a dude server just make the dude customers feel at home. Ask them if they want a sports channel. Give them a sampler of something. Dont be a duck and I will tip the crap out of you so you dont have to steal from me.

It's probably the bank stealing from you and disguising it as misreported tips.

If you are in a hotel restaurant or a chain restaurant they usually put a hold on your card for 30% of the purchase total to accommodate an assumed tip. The excess hold rolls off of your card after 4-5 days but appears as a charge.

Nah above commenters, this isn't the first time I've heard of certain Portland establishments overcharging patrons in this manner. Usually just a disgruntled waiter/waitress, hope they get fired.

possibly sloppy handwriting. maybe your 1s look like 7s.

BokChoy's right, some places do that, and it's always alarming. Just run a charge for the amount we've agreed to pay, goddammit!

Pretty much all merchants have to batch their CCard payments within 24 hours of the sale, and total dollar amounts have to match the customers signed receipt or it does fall back on the merchant. I dont know ANY bar owner who wouldn't fix a mistake (in favor to the customers signed receipt) just so a bartender can have a few extra dollars off that one transaction. The likelihood that this employee was trying to steal from you is so small.