[Md-sligo] FW:

[Reyazuddin, Yasmin]

Montgomery County 
Office of Consumer Protection
Ensuring Integrity in Our Marketplace

Cash or credit?  Until now this choice has been a matter of convenience,
but as of January 27, this decision may impact your wallet at checkout.
Due to a settlement reached last year, beginning Sunday, retailers will
have the option of passing the surcharge fee, typically between 1.5% and
4%, to consumers when a credit or charge card is used.  

Passing the surcharge to consumers is not mandatory and retailers may
not charge consumers this added fee.  However, you should know what to
look for before making a purchase.  

Below are some helpful tips and guidelines regarding credit card
surcharges: 

*	Stores that charge checkout fees or surcharges will have to post
a notice at the entrance to the store and will have to disclose the
exact amount at the point of sale. 
*	Retailers are not required to disclose the surcharge fee in
advertisements.  
*	You should always contact the retailer to find out if there are
any extra fees before you go to the store.  
*	Before checking out, ask the clerk if there is a surcharge fee
and how much it will be. 
*	Online retailers must disclose the surcharge on the first page
that a credit card is mentioned; meaning the total can change moments
before checking out. 
*	Retailers can only surcharge consumers for the actual cost of
processing credit card transactions. 
*	This surcharge does not apply to debit and prepaid cards. 

If you have any questions or believe you were unfairly charged a
surcharge fee, contact the Montgomery County Office of Consumer
Protection at 240.777.3636.

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