WATCH OUT
Experts warn to check receipts after fast food customer finds ‘illegal’ 15% surcharge hidden on slip – know your rights
An expert shared what people need to look out for on their receipts
A CONSUMER expert has shared a warning to diners after a customer discovered an incorrect surcharge.
The customer said they noticed an extra 15% fee was added to their fast food purchase on their receipt.
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State officials in Hawaii have warned people to look out for the possibility of incorrect surcharges and fees on their purchases.
The executive director of the Office of Consumer Protection, Mana Moriarty, shared her worry after she saw the receipt with a 15% tax, according to Fox affiliate KHON-TV.
Moriarty said this would have been inaccurate and the added charge should not have been so high.
“That was done completely wrong,” the official said.
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“There is no way that that tax was disclosed in the appropriate way.”
The official noted that added taxes in Hawaii cannot surpass a certain amount, which was significantly lower than 15%.
“The current tax rate cannot exceed 4.712%,” Moriarty said.
Moriarty explained what customers need to look for on their slips to ensure they have been charged the right amount.
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“In some instances, it might actually be lower but the important thing to remember is the maximum is 4.712%," the expert added.
“Those passed-through charges should be itemized in the receipt from the transaction that you receive from the business.”
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Hawaii does not have a sales tax at a flat rate.
Instead, the island state has a General Excise Tax which can change between businesses, up to the 4.712% maximum.
Therefore, a 15% surcharge would be in breach of consumer protection laws, according to KHON-TV.
Another local retail expert, Victor Lim from the Hawaii Restaurant Association, said he was also shocked by the 15% surcharge.
That was done completely wrong."
Mana Moriarty
“I was totally surprised because I never seen someone charge 15% tax here before," Lim said.
SUR-PRISED
The U.S. Sun has previously reported on other shock surcharges consumers have experienced.
A new law could make certain credit card fees more visible to customers.
Some states have outlawed credit card fees at stores unless retailers show this charge in a specific way.
Read More on The US Sun
Both the higher credit card total and the lower cash total have to be noted.
This means they must be written on a receipt, a menu, and posted as a clear cash discount.