A new consumer protection law that will go into effect on Sunday will amend and clarify New York’s existing credit card surcharge law. The NYS Division of Consumer Protection assists aggrieved consumers in the marketplace and the New York State Attorney General and local governments have the authority to enforce the credit card surcharge law. The New York State Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection recommends that interested localities review DCP’s Credit Card Surcharge Legal Update Letter for more information.
“New Yorkers should never have to deal with hidden credit card costs, and this law will ensure individuals can trust that their purchases will not result in surprise surcharges,” Governor Hochul said. “Transparency is crucial in building trust between businesses and communities and now patrons will be empowered to budget accordingly.”
The law, signed by Governor Hochul on December 13th provides greater transparency and protections for consumers by:
- Limiting credit card surcharges to the amount charged to the business by the credit card company; and
- Requiring businesses to post before checkout:
–the total price of an item or service inclusive of the credit card surcharge; or
-a two-tiered pricing option, which requires the credit card price to be posted alongside the cash price.
The following practices and examples comply with the law’s credit card surcharge notice requirements. See the Department’s Credit Card Surcharge Guidance Document and educational video for additional examples:
DO:
- The business lists the higher credit card price next to a lower cash price.
- The business lists the credit card price for items and services, and then lets customers know they will receive a discount for using cash.
- The business changes all prices to the credit card price.
DON’T:
- The business posts a sign on the door and at the register stating an additional 3.9 percent surcharge will apply for credit card purchases.
- “This business has a 4 percent cash discount incentive built into all pricing. Any purchases made with a credit or debit card will not receive the cash discount and an adjustment in cost will be displayed on your receipt.”
- A convenience fee, service fee, administration fee, non-cash adjustment, technology fee, processing fee, etc., is charged to credit card users and added as a separate line item on a customer receipt.
- The price tag of an item shows “$10.00, + 4 percent if paying with a credit card.”
NOTE: This law does not apply to debit cards.
