The Director of Consumer Affairs today underscored concern over shops that slap a surcharge on customers paying for goods with credit cards.
Ms Carmel Foley said between 1.5 per cent and 2 per cent was being added to bills by some traders in transactions where extra charges would not have been imposed if customers opted to pay in other ways, such as by cheque or cash.
Ms Foley said her office had been told by the credit card companies that the surcharges contravened their regulations.
Urging card-holders to contact the issuing institutions, she added "Despite the existence of these rules, the practice of merchant surcharging continues."
The director said she had contacted the card companies, reminding them of their duty to see redress for card-holders who complained about surcharging, and requesting them to carry out an audit to ensure the additional charges were not being imposed.
Ms Foley reported that similar complaints had been received from the holders of bank laser cards, which also barred surcharging.
PA