NY Stores Face $1,000 Fine for Rejecting Cash

New York – A hard-hitting alert from New York State Attorney General Letitia James has brought a new state law to the forefront, mandating that all stores in the state must accept cash payments. Effective March 21st, any food store or retailer refusing to take cash is violating the law, echoing a similar city-wide rule since 2020. The AG encourages complaints from New Yorkers if they believe a store is flouting this law.

“New Yorkers have a right to service regardless of their payment choice,” stated Attorney General James. “Merchants cannot deny access to basic needs like food and clothing by refusing cash or charging extra for it. I will not hesitate to enforce this law to protect consumers across our state.”

Pursuant to the law, retailers cannot require customers to use credit cards or other payment methods without cash for purchases. They also cannot charge a higher price for paying in cash. Stores found violating the new rule face maximum civil fines of $1,000 for the first offense and $1,500 for each subsequent violation.

Exceptions include not requiring stores to accept bills over $20; not accepting cash for phone, mail, or online orders unless at the establishment’s location; and if an establishment offers a device to convert cash into a prepaid card, no fee can be charged, and the card cannot require a minimum load of more than $1.

New Yorkers who suspect a store is violating this new law should contact the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) by filing an online complaint or calling 1 (800) 771-7755.

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