|
State Attorney General Notifies New Yorkers About New
State Law Requiring Stores to Accept Cash Payments
Published: March 21, 2026 at
12:15 p.m.
By: Press Release
from Office of New York State Attorney General
CONSUMER
ALERT:
Attorney General James Notifies New Yorkers About New State Law Requiring
Stores to Accept Cash Payments
NEW YORK – New
York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a consumer alert reminding
New Yorkers that stores throughout the state now must allow customers to
pay in cash. Under a new law going into effect on March 21, it is illegal
for a New York food store or retail establishment to refuse payment in cash
for goods or services. The new statewide law mirrors a similar New York
City law that has been in effect since 2020. Attorney General James is
encouraging all New Yorkers to submit a complaint to the Office of the Attorney
General (OAG) if they believe a store is violating the law.
“New Yorkers have
a right to service no matter how they choose to pay,” said Attorney
General James. “Businesses cannot deny New Yorkers access to
necessities like food and clothing by refusing to take cash,
or charging shoppers more for paying in cash. I will not hesitate to
enforce this law to protect consumers across our state.”
Under the law,
food stores and other retail establishments cannot require consumers to pay
by credit card or use another cashless transaction method to complete their
purchase. They also cannot charge consumers a higher price if they pay in
cash. Stores that violate the new law will face maximum civil penalties of
$1,000 for the first violation and $1,500 for each succeeding violation.
The new law has a
few exceptions:
- Stores do not have to accept bills in
denominations above twenty dollars;
- Stores do not have to accept cash for orders
made by telephone, mail, or internet, unless that transaction takes
place at the store;
- The new law also does not apply if a store
provides a device on its premises to convert cash into a prepaid card.
However, the store cannot charge a fee or require that the prepaid
card be loaded with a minimum amount above one dollar.
New Yorkers who
believe a store is violating the new law should contact OAG by submitting a complaint online or by calling 1
(800) 771-7755.
###
|
