Automated Teller Machine Surcharge Disclosure

Section § 13080

In California, ATM operators can't charge customers a fee for using the machine unless the fee is clearly shown to the customer on the ATM. If the fee isn't revealed before the customer is committed to the transaction, they must be allowed to cancel without paying. This rule doesn't apply when buying something at an ATM.

If you’re buying goods or services at an ATM, the operator must show the total cost and any ATM fees electronically. Customers can cancel the purchase without penalty if these charges aren't disclosed upfront.

If customers use an ATM with a card not from that ATM's operator, they need to be informed they might face extra charges from their own bank. Terms like 'operator' and 'surcharge' are specifically defined to clarify their meaning in this context.

(a) No operator of an automated teller machine (ATM) in this state shall impose any surcharge upon a customer for the usage of that machine whether or not the customer is using an access device issued by that operator unless that surcharge is clearly disclosed to the customer electronically on the automated teller machine. Unless the disclosure is made prior to the customer being obligated to pay the surcharge, the customer shall be provided an opportunity to cancel that transaction without incurring any surcharge. This subdivision does not apply to a point of sale transaction at an ATM.

(b) If the sale of a good or service is conducted at the ATM, the operator of that ATM shall disclose to the customer electronically on the ATM the total price of the good or service and any fee charged solely for the usage of the ATM. Unless the disclosure is made prior to the customer being obligated to pay for the good or service, the customer shall be provided with an opportunity to cancel the transaction without incurring any obligation.

(c) If a surcharge is imposed on a customer using an access device not issued by the operator, the operator shall disclose that the customer may also be charged an additional fee by his or her own institution.

(d) As used in this section, “operator,” “automated teller machine,” “customer,” and “access device” have the meanings set forth in Section 13020. The term “surcharge” means any charge imposed by the operator of the ATM solely for use of the ATM. The term “service” includes, but is not limited to, receiving a statement of account activity.

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Section § 13081

This law ensures that consumers in California are informed about any fees charged when using point-of-sale (POS) devices before they complete a transaction. It seeks to enhance transparency similar to existing rules for ATMs. Operators of POS devices must disclose any fees to customers, either through a label that meets federal standards or an electronic display for newer devices purchased after January 1, 2001. The law defines 'point-of-sale device' as those requiring a PIN for purchases, excepting certain access devices, and specifies that the 'operator' is the person charging the fee.

(a) In enacting this section, the Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) It is in the best interest of consumers in this state to be aware of fees they may be charged for using point-of-sale devices prior to being obligated to pay those fees.

(2) In 1996, the Legislature enacted Assembly Bill 3366 (Chapter 98 of the Statutes of 1996), which required operators of automatic teller machines (ATMs) to electronically disclose fees for transactions at those ATMs. That legislation did not require disclosure of fees at point-of-sale devices.

(3) In order to maximize consumer awareness of fees at point-of-sale devices, and to create equity between operators of ATMs and operators of point-of-sale devices, it is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to require the maximum feasible disclosure of fees at point-of-sale devices.

(b) No operator of a point-of-sale device in this state shall impose any fee upon a customer for the use of that device unless that fee is disclosed to the customer prior to the customer being obligated to pay for any goods or services. That disclosure shall be placed on or at the point-of-sale device as follows:

(1) For all point-of-sale devices, the fee disclosure shall be on a label meeting federal standards.

(2) For point-of-sale devices purchased on or after January 1, 2001, that have electronic displays, the fee disclosure shall also be electronic.

(c) For purposes of this section, the term “point-of-sale device” includes any device used for the purchase of a good or service where a personal identification number (PIN) is required, but does not include an access device as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 13020.

(d) For the purposes of this section, the term “operator of a point-of-sale device” means the person who imposes the fee on a customer for using a point-of-sale device to pay for a good or service.

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Section § 13082

This law requires that point-of-sale (POS) systems with video touch screens or similar non-tactile keypads must include features to assist visually impaired users. This could be a tactile keypad like a phone keypad, or other technology like biometrics or RFID that ensures privacy and accessibility for the visually impaired.

For POS systems in use by January 1, 2010, compliance is mandatory, except for small locations with only two or fewer machines, where just one must be compliant. As of January 1, 2006, manufacturers must offer devices capable of supporting these accessibility features. The requirement does not extend to ATMs or devices used exclusively at gas stations. Devices must be secured against easy removal, and existing rights or remedies regarding POS accessibility are not limited by this law.

(a) Whenever a point-of-sale system is changed or modified to include a video touch screen or any other nontactile keypad, the point-of-sale device that would include the video touch screen or nontactile keypad shall also be equipped with either of the following:

(1) A tactually discernible numerical keypad similar to a telephone keypad containing a raised dot with a dot base diameter between 1.5 millimeters and 1.6 millimeters and a height between 0.6 millimeters and 0.9 millimeters on the number 5 key that enables a visually impaired person to enter his or her own personal identification number or any other personal information necessary to process the transaction in a manner that provides the opportunity for the same degree of privacy input and output available to all individuals.

(2) Other technology, such as a radio frequency identification device, fingerprint biometrics, or some other mechanism that enables a visually impaired person to access the video touch screen device with his or her personal identifier and to process his or her transaction in a manner that provides the opportunity for the same degree of privacy input and output available to all individuals.

(b)

(1) On or before January 1, 2010, any existing point-of-sale system, except as provided in paragraph (2), that includes a video touch screen or any other nontactile keypad shall also be equipped with a tactually discernable keypad or other technology as described in subdivision (a).

(2) At locations equipped with two or less point-of-sale machines, only one point-of-sale machine shall be required to be equipped with a tactually discernible keypad or other technology on or before January 1, 2010, as described in subdivision (a).

(c) On and after January 1, 2006, a manufacturer or distributor shall be required to offer for availability touch screen or other nontactile point-of-sale devices to be used and sold in this state that are equipped with tactually discernible keypads or other technology as described in subdivision (a) that enable a visually impaired person to enter his or her own personal identification number or any other personal information necessary to process a transaction in a manner that ensures personal privacy of the information being entered.

(d) As used in this section, “point-of-sale device” includes any device used by a customer for the purchase of a good or service where a personal identification number (PIN) is required, but does not include the following:

(1) An automated teller machine as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 13020.

(2) A point-of-sale device that is equipped to, or exclusively services, motor fuel dispensers.

(e) A unit is not in compliance with this section unless it includes a device, whether internal or external to the unit, that does not lend itself to easy removal, allows visually impaired users easy access, and otherwise meets the terms and conditions of this section. If the device is freestanding, it shall be permanently attached to the unit by means of a braided wire or some other tether.

(f) This section shall not be construed to preclude or limit any other existing right or remedy as it pertains to point-of-sale devices and accessibility.

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Section § 13083

This law says that if you own or operate an ATM, you can charge a fee to customers using it, especially if their bank is outside the U.S., as long as that fee isn't already restricted by other laws. However, it's perfectly fine for ATM owners or operators to decide not to charge fees if they join a network that offers transactions without surcharges. The law also clarifies what is meant by ATM 'operator' and 'owner', referencing another section for exact definitions.

(a) Subject to the requirements of Section 13080, an agreement to operate or share an automated teller machine may not prohibit, limit, or restrict the right of the operator or owner of the automated teller machine to charge a customer conducting a transaction using an account from a financial institution that is located outside the United States an access fee or surcharge not otherwise prohibited under state or federal law.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or otherwise limit the ability of an operator or owner of an automated teller machine to voluntarily enter into an agreement regarding participation in a surcharge free network.

(c) For purposes of this section, the terms “operator” and “automated teller machine” have the meanings set forth in Section 13020.

(d) For the purposes of this section, the term “owner” means any entity that is not an operator under Section 13020, but that owns an automated teller machine.

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