Legal rights and application methods against credit card commission traps
It is illegal for businesses to demand extra fees under the name of card difference in credit card payments. Consumers can reclaim these amounts with legal interest.
In many different sectors, businesses demanding extra fees from consumers under the name of commissions or card differences in credit card purchases constitutes a violation of the laws. Amounts paid contrary to the legislation can be reclaimed with legal interest through applications to Consumer Arbitration Committees.
Common extra fee practices in businesses
In credit card payments frequently used in daily life, businesses operating in different sectors may apply separate price tariffs for cash and card purchases. These differences, seen in restaurants, cafes, hairdressers, hotels and many similar businesses, can rise up to twelve percent in high-amount purchases.
Legal regulations and prohibited practices
Article 17 of the current Bank Cards and Credit Cards Law No. 5464 explicitly prohibits member businesses from demanding additional payments from cardholders under the name of commission or similar names. It is stipulated that the contracts of businesses that do not comply with this rule shall be terminated and no new contracts shall be made for one year.
Commission and requested extra fee difference
There is usually a serious imbalance between the POS commission paid by businesses and the card difference requested from the customer. These additional fees, demanded well above the legal maximum commission rates, lead to unfair gains while businesses should reflect their costs onto product prices.
New generation device obligation process in taxis
In order to prevent change or commission problems experienced in taxis, the obligation to use the Taxi Fiscal Device, which works integrated with the taximeter, has been introduced. The Revenue Administration has extended the transition period determined for existing taxis until November 16, 2026.
Consumers' ways to seek rights and warnings
Consumer Confederation President Aydın Ağaoğlu called on consumers regarding extra fees charged unlawfully. Ağaoğlu stated that citizens who have to pay these differences can apply to Consumer Arbitration Committees with their receipts or invoices and get their money back with legal interest.