Guides / Life Events
Merchant Credit Card Abuses: What They Cannot Ask You to Do
Some merchants impose their own rules on credit card use, often without the right to do so. Knowing where the line actually sits protects both your privacy and your wallet.
In this guide
Personal information on sales slips
Some clerks ask for a phone number, address, or other personal information on a credit card sales slip. You can decline. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express all prohibit merchants from requiring this as a condition of sale, and in several states it's outright illegal to record any personal information beyond what's printed on the card itself. Once a transaction is authorized and the signature matches, the merchant is guaranteed payment; there's no legitimate reason they need your phone number to collect it.
Back to topMinimum charge requirements
Some merchants require a minimum purchase amount, commonly around $20, before they'll accept a credit card, to avoid the processing cost on small transactions. Visa and Mastercard rules prohibit minimum charge amounts outright. American Express doesn't explicitly prohibit them but discourages any practice that creates a barrier to acceptance, and it does prohibit discriminating against Amex specifically if the merchant has no minimum for Visa or Mastercard.
Back to topExtra charges for using a credit card
When a merchant processes a card transaction, the card network deducts a discount fee, typically 1.5 to 5 percent. Some merchants try to pass that fee directly to the customer as a surcharge. Visa and Mastercard prohibit surcharges outright, and American Express discourages them while prohibiting discrimination against Amex specifically. A cash discount, offering a lower price for cash than credit, is different and fully permitted under every card network's rules; several state government agencies are also allowed limited surcharges under state law, but retail merchants generally are not.
Back to topID and credit card numbers when paying by check
Merchants sometimes ask for a driver's license and a credit card as two forms of ID before accepting a personal check, then write your card number directly on the check. This exposes your name, address, phone number, and card number to anyone who later handles that check, a real fraud risk, and it accomplishes little: card networks prohibit charging a card to cover a bounced check, so there's nothing the merchant can actually do with the number. It's reasonable to let a merchant note that you carry a Visa, Mastercard, or Amex without recording the actual number.
Back to topHow to complain
If a merchant violates these rules, report it directly to the card network with the merchant's name, location, and a copy of the sales slip if you have one:
Visa USA Consumer Relations, P.O. Box 8999, San Francisco, CA 94128, 1-800-VISA-911.
Mastercard Worldwide Public Relations, 2000 Purchase Street, Purchase, NY 10577, 1-800-627-8372.
American Express Customer Service, PO Box 297812, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33329-7812, 1-800-528-4800.
If a merchant remains uncooperative after you raise the issue, it's reasonable to take your business elsewhere.
Back to topFrequently asked questions
Can a store legally require a minimum purchase for credit card use?
No. Visa and Mastercard rules prohibit minimum purchase requirements. American Express discourages the practice and prohibits discriminating against Amex specifically if no minimum applies to other cards.
Is it legal for a merchant to charge extra for paying with a credit card?
Generally no under Visa and Mastercard rules, which prohibit surcharges outright. A cash discount, a lower price for paying cash, is different and is permitted.
Should I let a merchant write my credit card number on my check?
No. It exposes you to fraud risk and accomplishes nothing for the merchant, since card networks prohibit charging a card to cover a bounced check anyway.
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Schedule a ConsultationThis guide is for general informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, financial, or investment advice. Every business situation is different, so consult a licensed professional before making decisions based on this content.