Confusion as credit card fee ban takes effect

CONFUSION reigned yesterday as many retail staff didn’t know about the new ban on credit card fees and claimed firms were still charging for card payments – even though the ban came into force yesterday.

A telephone survey by the Irish Mail on Sunday of businesses known to charge the fee found that some companies were unaware of the changes but would comply. Others said they still charged a card fee. Surcharges on cards covered by the EU’s Interchange Fee Regulations, Visa and Mastercard, were outlawed by rules which came into effect yesterday.

Other card types, such as American Express and Diners Club, can still be hit with fees.

When the MoS spoke to someone at Club Travel, there was confusion as to whether card fees still applied – as the travel agent’s website still displayed them and customer service staff were unsure of the firm’s policy.

Most convenience stores confirmed they now had no charges, but a few claimed to have charges until reminded of the new rules – prompting them to backtrack.

Consumer groups were worried that illinformed staff could lead to charges still being applied in error.

Dermott Jewell, Policy and Council Advisor at the Consumers’ Association of Ireland, welcomed the ban, saying: ‘It’s been a long time coming... it’s something of a game changer.’

Crediting the rules change to pressure from consumer groups across Europe, he compared the changes to the EU-backed ban on roaming charges as a victory for consumers.

Enforcement of the ban is the responsibility of the Central Bank.

The bank has an email address where people can confidentially report businesses that carry on charging the fees.