Businesses pass on credit card surcharges to customers

WASHINGTON – Starting today, it’s possible to see a surcharge on merchandise purchased with a credit card.

The new surcharge fee, which ranges from 1.5 to 4 percent of the total purchase, is to make up for what businesses pay in credit card fees.

Adam Levin of credit.com doesn’t expect to see many businesses implement the surcharge right away.

However, if and when a business decides to pass along the fee, customers will be notified by signs on the storefront or information posted online.

The surcharges are taking effect as a result of the multibillion dollar deal that credit card companies and merchants reached last summer.

WTOP’s John Aaron contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2013 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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