Westchester County Executive George Latimer, New York State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and County Director of Consumer Protection Jim Maisano are working together to ensure that residents are well-informed about a new law aimed at promoting transparency in credit card transactions.
Effective Feb. 11, this new state law mandates that merchants in New York State must provide clear and conspicuous disclosure of credit card surcharges to
consumers. Latimer said “Transparent pricing is essential for consumers to make informed decisions.”
Paulin added: “This new law protects New Yorkers from hidden surcharges by requiring sellers to clearly post the price of a credit card surcharge. Credit card
surcharges now have to be disclosed clearly so that customers are fully aware of them upfront and not just when they go to pay. The new law also prevents
businesses from charging a higher fee than what they are charged by the credit card companies.
The new law limits credit card surcharges to the amount charged to the business by the credit card company and requires businesses to clearly display the
total price inclusive of any surcharges before checkout. It aims to prevent consumers from being surprised by hidden fees and ensures that they have a clear
understanding of the costs associated with credit card transactions.
Maisano said: “This law reinforces the principles of fairness and transparency in commercial transactions. We are committed to ensuring that consumers are protected from deceptive practices, and this legislation is a significant step forward in achieving that goal.” For more information on the implementation of this
law and consumer rights, residents are encouraged to contact the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection.
