Louisiana law banning debit card surcharges takes effect

(The Center Square) – Louisiana retailers can no longer charge customers extra for using debit cards under a new state law that took effect Saturday, giving consumers new legal protections and expanding the attorney general’s authority to enforce the ban.

Senate Bill 254 prohibits retail businesses from imposing a surcharge on customers who pay with a debit card instead of cash, check, credit card or another form of payment.

The law defines a surcharge as any additional amount charged by a retail business that increases the cost of a transaction for the privilege of using a debit card. It does not apply to credit card transactions.

Consumers who are assessed an unlawful debit card surcharge may recover actual damages from the retailer. Before filing a lawsuit, however, the customer must provide written notice of the alleged violation.

If the business reimburses the surcharge and cures the violation within 30 days of receiving notice, the customer may not pursue legal action. The law limits pr...