Can a charge be made for using a credit card?
Sophia Koch
Updated on January 26, 2026
Businesses cannot impose any surcharge for using the following methods of payment: consumer credit cards, debit cards or charge cards. similar payment methods that are not card-based (for example, mobile phone-based payment methods) electronic payment services (for example, PayPal)
Can I pressing charges for unauthorized credit card use?
If you spot unauthorized charges on your debit card or credit card, you should report it to your bank immediately. You can also report it to the police, particularly if you know or suspect who is responsible and want them to investigate and potentially charge someone.
Is it legal to charge extra for using a debit card?
Surcharges cannot be imposed on debit cards or prepaid debit transactions. If merchants add a surcharge, they must decide to add them at the brand or product level — but not both. A brand level surcharge adds the same fee to all credit card transactions from the same payment network, such as Visa or Mastercard.
Is it legal to charge for debit card transactions?
The company prohibits merchants from charging a fee for processing a debit or a credit card transaction if they do not apply a processing fee to any other form of payment, such as a check or a PIN-based debit. A merchant may charge a processing fee if the merchant charges on all types of these transactions.
Is it illegal to charge customers a credit card processing?
It is illegal for merchants to add any surcharges to credit card transactions or charge convenience fees to nontraditional payment methods in these states. Minimum purchase amounts are thresholds merchants can impose on credit card transactions. This amount must be under $10.
Is it legal for merchants to charge credit card surcharges?
While it’s entirely legal for merchants to impose credit card surcharges, many are slow to adopt them. That could be because: Some merchants, like many consumers, may not know the legality of surcharges. Merchants are hesitant to annoy customers or create the perception that they’re nickel-and-diming customers.
Are there any charges for paying by credit card?
The new rules, which will be laid down in law, will mean ALL surcharges are banned. So there will be no charges for paying by debit or credit card, including American Express and linked ways of paying such as PayPal or Apple Pay.
Can a credit card company charge a convenience fee?
Convenience fees are a subset of credit card surcharges, and are permitted in all states. However, laws govern when a business can and cannot charge their customers a fee. Convenience fees, like surcharges, must be clearly displayed at the point of sale.