12/21/2025
🚨 NATIONAL ALERT: Penny Shortages & Your Rights at the Register 🚨
The U.S. Mint has stopped making pennies, and some stores are using this as an excuse to hike prices. Whether you pay with cash or card, don't get overcharged! Here is what you need to know about FEDERAL LAW in 2025:
1. DEBIT CARD SURCHARGES ARE ILLEGAL 💳 No matter what state you are in, federal law (The Durbin Amendment) and card network rules (Visa/Mastercard) prohibit merchants from charging a "fee" or "surcharge" to use a DEBIT CARD.
It doesn't matter if you run it as "credit."
It doesn't matter if you "tap to pay."
If the card is linked to your bank account, there should be NO extra fee.
2. THE "DOUBLE PENALTY" 🪙 Many stores are now "rounding up" cash totals because they lack pennies.
The Problem: If a store rounds up your cash total AND charges a fee for your card, you are being penalized no matter how you pay.
The Rule: In many jurisdictions, if a store cannot provide exact change (pennies), they are expected to round DOWN as a gesture of fair trade. Charging a "card fee" while also "rounding up" cash is a deceptive practice that can be reported to the FTC.
3. KNOW YOUR LIMITS 🛡️
Credit Cards: Merchants can surcharge credit cards (usually capped at 3%), but it MUST be disclosed before you pay.
Minimums: Stores can set a $10 minimum for Credit, but they are generally prohibited from setting any minimum for Debit.
WHAT TO DO: ✅ Check your receipt: If you see a "Surcharge" or "Service Fee" on a debit transaction, demand it be removed. ✅ Report violations: If a business refuses to follow these rules, report them to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or the FTC. ✅ Network Reports: You can also report them directly to Visa or Mastercard—they take debit surcharging very seriously!
Don't let a "penny shortage" turn into a "profit center" for big retailers. Share this to protect your friends and family! 🌎
