If you’re one of the many Aussies who’ve embraced the convenience of online grocery shopping, you might want to take a closer look at your recent bank transactions.

A glitch in the system has left some customers seeing double—literally—with duplicate charges appearing after a routine checkout.

It’s a reminder that even digital convenience can come with old-school headaches.


Here’s what happened: Coles has issued a public apology after a technical error led to a number of online shoppers being billed twice for their grocery deliveries.

The glitch affected orders placed between 26 June and 28 June, but the duplicate charges didn’t show up until late July, weeks after the original transactions had been completed.


According to Coles, only a 'small number' of customers were impacted, but for those affected, the duplicate charge was a real headache.

The second charge appeared as a pre-authorisation—a temporary hold on funds—rather than a permanent withdrawal.

Thankfully, Coles moved quickly to reverse the error, working with their payment processor to ensure the duplicate charges were cancelled and customers’ money was returned.


A Coles spokesperson said: 'We’re committed to ensuring a smooth experience for our customers when shopping online. In this instance, we worked quickly with our payment processor to arrange a reversal of the duplicate charge. We apologise to our customers for this inconvenience.'
The error was first noticed over the weekend, and Coles says a fix was rolled out from Monday.

By Thursday, the supermarket giant assured customers that the situation should now be resolved.

If you shopped online with Coles between June 26 and 28, it’s a good idea to check your bank or credit card statement for any unexpected duplicate charges.

If you spot anything unusual, don’t panic—Coles says the duplicate pre-authorisation should have been reversed by now.

However, if you’re still seeing a double charge or if your funds haven’t been returned, it’s best to contact Coles customer service directly.

They’ll be able to look into your account and make sure everything is sorted.

While online shopping is a lifesaver for many—especially for those of us who’d rather avoid the hustle and bustle of the supermarket aisles—technical glitches can and do happen.

Payment systems are complex, and sometimes a small error can have a big impact.

The good news is that most major retailers, including Coles, have systems in place to catch and fix these issues quickly.

While no one likes being charged twice for their groceries, it’s reassuring to see Coles take responsibility and act quickly to fix the problem.
Have you ever experienced a similar issue with online shopping at Coles or elsewhere? Did you get your money back quickly, or was it a hassle? We’d love to hear your stories and tips for staying safe while shopping online. Share your experiences in the comments below.

Read more: He caught a $14,204 overcharge—this one habit could save you from the same mess