The National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights (Pro Consumer) warned that the practice of some commercial establishments of charging commission or surplus to users who pay with cards of credit, for which he announced that businesses that incur in this irregularity to the detriment of consumers’ pockets will be sanctioned.
The executive director of Pro Consumer, Eddy Alcantara, He said that as of February 1 they will be carrying out operations to detect establishments that incur in this irregularity of charging commission when paying by credit card, in some cases between 5% and 18% above the total value of the purchase. or service, “to proceed immediately to be sanctioned, including the risk of being temporarily or permanently closed in case of recidivism”.
He argued that these businesses violate the provisions of the Law 358-05 on Consumer Protection, “whose prohibition is stated in article 87, which states that prices may not be modified depending on the means of payment used.”
“We are not going to allow any consumer to be scammed with improper charges for using credit card establishments,” he said.
Alcántara stated that this institution has been receiving constant complaints from businesses that engage in this illegal, arbitrary and unfair practice to the detriment of consumers.
The official specified that drastic sanctions established by the norm that protects the rights of consumers will be applied to businesses that are determined to be charging commissions or surpluses above the total amount of the purchase for the sole fact of paying with a credit card.
Director of Pro Consumer andHe urged consumers affected by this practice to file their complaints in the entity, presenting invoices and proof of the charge to the credit card, which he said will serve as evidence to support the claim.
Finally, he pointed out that the same regulations that created the entity that defends consumers establish a series of responsibilities and obligations in charge of the providers, whose non-compliance is considered infractions in the matter of consumption.
