Back in December 2023 a New York law went into effect regarding our credit card transactions.
Under the law businesses are required to clearly display and inform customers of additional credit card surcharges before the customer checks out.
“Transparency in pricing is critical so people can make informed decisions when spending their hard-earned money. Requiring businesses to disclose credit card surcharges helps consumers better understand the total cost,” State Senator Jeremy Cooney had stated at the time the law went into effect.
The law, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on December 13, 2023, provides greater transparency and protections for customers by:
- Limiting credit card surcharges to the amount charged to the business by the credit card company
- Requiring businesses to post the total price of an item or service, inclusive of the credit card surcharge, before checkout
The credit card surcharge law also prevents shop owners from charging customers more in credit card surcharges than what they themselves are being charged by the processing companies.
Under the law businesses must clearly list credit card price for items and services and let customers know they will receive a discount for using cash. For example, businesses can’t just post a sign stating “an additional 3.9% surcharge will apply for credit card purchases” or “$10 + 4% if paying with a credit card.”
To clarify, the law does not apply to debit cards.
Governor Hochul stated:
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. Transparency is crucial in building trust between businesses and communities and now patrons will be empowered to budget accordingly.
More info on the law can be found here.