|
Many merchants engraft their own rules to your use of a credit card, usually without the right to do so. What are you required to do and what can you rightfully refuse to do? The Financial Guide explains your rights. Table of Contents
Do sales clerks ask you to write your phone number or address on a credit card slip? Have you been told that "store policy" requires a $25 minimum for credit card use? Have you been charged an extra 3% just for using a major credit card? When you pay by personal check, does the clerk ask for two forms of identification and then write your credit card number on your check? These practices violate your privacy, expose you to potential credit fraud and may be illegal in some cases. We will tell you how to say "no" to a merchant who engages in these impermissible credit card practices:
Personal InformationMerchants may ask you to provide a phone number, home address, or other personal information on credit card sales slips. This practice not only violates your privacy, but American Express, MasterCard, and Visa prohibit requiring it as a condition of sale. There is no need for merchants to obtain phone numbers or other personal information from customers. Once they have correctly processed the bank card transaction (gotten an authorization number and made sure the signatures match), they are guaranteed to receive payment.
Further, if you refuse to present identification, such as a driver's license, the merchant may not refuse to make a credit card sale under Visa, MasterCard, and Amex rules.
Minimum Charge RequirementsSome stores require consumers to spend at least $20 (or some other minimum) to pay for purchases by credit card. They engage in this practice because they and their banks do not want the expense of processing a credit card transaction involving a small amount of money. This practice defeats one of the major purposes of credit cards-convenience-and may force credit card users to spend more than they want to. In addition, minimum charge requirements vary from merchant to merchant, and there are no regulations requiring disclosure of these minimum purchase levels. Visa's and MasterCard's regulations prohibit minimum charge amounts. American Express's regulations do not explicitly prohibit minimum charges, but its policy is to discourage any merchant practices that create a "barrier to acceptance." Amex does prohibit "discrimination" against the Amex card, however, so if a merchant has no minimum charge for Visa and MasterCard, the merchant may not discriminate against Amex by imposing a minimum charge.
Extra Charge For Using A Credit CardSome merchants seek to impose a service fee for all credit card purchases. When a merchant gives a credit card slip to the credit card company or bank for processing, a percentage of each purchase-usually 1.5% to 5% of the purchase amount-is deducted. This "merchant discount fee" helps pay for the bank's services and for the credit card system. By charging extra for credit card use, the merchant passes the discount fee on to customers. Visa and MasterCard prohibit surcharges, and American Express discourages them. Amex does prohibit "discrimination" against the Amex card, however, so if a merchant accepts Visa and MasterCard (and cannot impose a surcharge under those companies' rules), the merchant may not discriminate against Amex by imposing a surcharge.
Surcharges invite numerous abuses by retailers, including bait-and-switch tactics. There are no laws on how and when surcharges must be disclosed, making it difficult to figure out the total price of an item. Travelers often find it difficult to get out-of-state checks accepted, and should not be penalized for using credit cards. Further, credit card acceptance usually produces higher sales for merchants, offsetting the cost of processing credit card transactions. Note that a cash discount is legal and permitted under all credit card companies rules. A cash discount offers a lower price for cash than credit; for example, many gasoline stations offer cash discounts. While this may merely be a loophole, it is permitted. In addition, there are a few state governmental agencies, including state tax offices and motor vehicle departments that are permitted to charge surcharges due to state laws that do not permit them to pay discount fees. However, retail merchants may not impose surcharges.
ID When Paying By CheckMerchants often ask for two forms of identification before accepting a personal check as payment for a purchase: a driver's license and a major credit card. Merchants also believe consumers with credit cards are less likely to bounce checks. This is a misconception: nearly 90% of all bounced checks result from arithmetic error, not fraud. When merchants write your credit card number on your personal check, they are subjecting you to possible fraud.
Although Visa, MasterCard and American Express do not have the authority to prohibit the practice of writing credit card numbers on checks, the three card companies do prohibit merchants from charging a credit card account to cover a bounced check.
If the sale is refused, ask to speak with the store manager. Explain the risks of fraud, and point out that the rules of the three major credit card companies prohibit charging a credit card to cover a bounced check. You might also point out that, if there is a problem, merchants usually have all the information they need to locate the customer written right on the check: name, address, phone number and driver's license number. Also, merchants will not be able to use the credit card number to locate the consumer. Many store clerks are simply unaware of the potential crimes associated with the use of personal information written on checks.
Cards Other Than The "Big Three"Other cards may not provide cardholders with any of the protections described above. However, purchases made with other cards are covered in all states that have laws prohibiting the practices described here.
How To ComplainWhen merchants violate the policies described here, report them to Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
In your letter, give the name and location of the merchant and a copy of a credit card sales slip. The sales slip is needed by Visa and MasterCard to track down the offending merchant. American Express provides card-members with a toll-free number to call if they have difficulty with a merchant. Make sure you have the complete details about the merchant and the problem before you call. If a merchant is uncooperative, take your business elsewhere.
States That Prohibit Recording Of Personal InformationThe following states prohibit merchants from recording certain personal information in connection with credit card transactions:
States That Prohibit Credit Card SurchargesThe following states prohibit merchants from adding surcharges to credit card transactions
States That Prohibit Recording A Credit Card Number On A CheckThe following states prohibit merchants from recording your credit card number on your check:
Recommended BooksGovernment and Non-Profit AgenciesThe following agencies are responsible for enforcing federal laws that govern credit card transactions. Questions concerning a particular card issuer should be directed to the enforcement agency responsible for that issuer.
Share This Guide
 Tax Saving Strategies: Frequently Asked QuestionsRecordkeeping For Your Taxes: Frequently Asked QuestionsTax Benefits of Higher Education: Frequently Asked Questions |
Connect With Us
Facebook
Twitter
Linkedin