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From January 13, 2018, extra fees for paying with debit
and credit cards are a thing of the past.
So-called ‘surcharging’ has become commonplace,
particularly online, with many retailers adding surprise charges just before you
make a purchase. Some retailers have been known to add charges which are far
higher than it costs them to process a payment. It is estimated that
surcharging cost Brits £166 million in 2015.
This ban means that it will be unlawful for retailers to
charge additional fees when someone uses a particular credit or debit card, or
other payment systems like PayPal, to make a purchase. This will ensure
consumers can be confident that there won’t be any nasty surprises, and they won’t
be penalised for wanting to pay in a particular way.
Karen Smith from Gloucestershire County Council’s Trading
Standards Service says “Retailers have always known they are charged a fee to
process card payments; in the past some have absorbed that cost, some have
simply passed it on to their customers and some have seen it as an opportunity
to make more money by charging customers excessive amounts for the privilege of
paying by card.
From January 13, consumers should be confident that the
price they see for any purchase, whether through a shop or online should be the
price they pay regardless of whether they use cash or a card.
If someone still tries to charge
a fee especially for paying by card or PayPal, you should report it to Trading
Standards using the Citizens’ Advice Consumer Helpline by calling 03456 04 05 06”
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