Netflix apologises for overcharging some customers 11 times

One customer said he was charged over $131

Netflix has apologised for overcharing customers (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Netflix has apologised for overcharging some of its customers – including one incident which involved 11 unnecessary bank withdrawals.

Customers in Australia and New Zealand angered by the mistake took to Twitter to complain, and demanded answers from the US streaming service which launched there in March.

Billy McLean, one such user, ‏wrote that he had been charged the $11 (£5) subscription fee seven times, amounting to $100 (£50).

“I’ve been charged almost $100 by Netflix in “monthly instalments” in last 24 hours - this is absurd - please explain and rectify," he demanded.

McLean complained once more when he was charged again the next day.

“This is ridiculous - I have been charged another instalment tonight” he wrote.

Netflix responded to the tweet a few hours after McLean’s second message, and said he would be refunded.

Other users suffered similar frustration, with a user named David pleading with Netflix to fix its billing issues after he was charged over $131 (£66.26).

Another angry customer complained of the same error on Facebook, writing: “Gotta say, very disappointing from Netflix. I was hit 10 times over the weekend. On top of that when I first called Netflix up i was told that the issue of multiple billing could not possibly happen under your automated system.”

Netflix issued a statement apologising, and assured customers that the issue was not widespread.

“We are aware a small percentage of Australian and New Zealand members experienced multiple credit card authorisations for monthly billing,” the statement said, the New Zealand Herald reported.

“The issue has been resolved. While no extra money was withdrawn from users' accounts, it may take several days for the authorisations to drop from users' bank accounts.”