Avoid sneaky credit card surcharges - AmericaNowNews.com

How to avoid sneaky credit card surcharges

Retailers have started playing a new game with our credit cards. They call it "checkout fees." Consumer watchdogs call them surcharges.

They're an extra buck or two levied on purchases made with your credit cards. Retailers use them to pass credit card processing fees on to customers.

Ten states outlaw credit card surcharges. Visa issued a warning on credit card surcharges, saying, "Visa rules do not allow retailers to charge cardholders a checkout fee for using (Visa) cards (http://usa.visa.com/merchants/operations/checkoutfees.html)."

Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com (www.lowcards.com) offered these tips for beating credit card surcharges at the check-out counter:

* ASK ABOUT ANY CREDIT/DEBIT CARD SURCHARGES BEFORE THE TRANSACTION.

* RETAILERS MUST DISCLOSE ANY SURCHARGES BEFORE THE TRANSACTION.

* IF THERE IS A SURCHARGE, DECLINE IT AND REQUEST ANOTHER METHOD OF PAYMENT. If necessary, cancel the transaction and shop somewhere else.

* REVIEW YOUR RECEIPT. Even if you end up using cash, a check or your debit card, review the receipt to make sure the store didn't levy a surcharge. There should never be a surcharge on a cash purchase.

Copyright 2012 America Now. All rights reserved.

  • Most Popular StoriesMost Popular Stories

  • A recent investigation revealed telemarketers and direct-mail companies sometimes receive 90 percent or more of the money people donate to charities.
    A recent investigation revealed telemarketers and direct-mail companies sometimes receive 90 percent or more of the money people donate to charities. The non-profit organizations end up with just pennies on the dollar raised through solicitation campaigns, and it's all legal. 
  • Every pet owner knows a dog can get into just about anything around the house. One woman found that out the hard way when her dog ate a bunch of grapes! Turns out, that's one of the most dangerous foods
    Every pet owner knows a dog can get into just about anything around the house. But these common snacks could be fatal for Fido.
  • Sometimes, smaller retailers charge a check-out fee -- or a "swipe" fee -- to use a credit card instead of cash.
    Sometimes, smaller retailers charge a check-out fee -- or a "swipe" fee -- to use a credit card instead of cash.
Powered by WorldNow
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and America Now. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.