Thread: 1-800-VISA-911 saved my day!

I am SO thankful for 1-800-VISA-911 tonight! That's the number you call to report stores that try to set minimums on credit card purchases. You should know that is NOT ALLOWED and you can do something about it!

Today I was at the checkout and without my wallet had to buy a small purchase related to my health I needed. It was under $10 and the cashier got all snobby with my and pointed to the sign that there was a minimum purchase amount on credit card transactions. I knew that was wrong and remembered the Visa 911 number and gave them a call. Literally within 2 mins I had the manager of the store talking to Visa directly. He went from being a total a-hole to being super accommodating and apologetic.

I recommend anyone if this happens to you call 1-800-VISA911 and get them on the phone.. Ask if they can 'remind' the manager of this being not allowed. That is what I did and it worked wonders and very quickly at that!

Thank you Visa 911 You saved my night

Visa 911 appears to be non-existent or has been phased out now. I was on a trip last week and had a problem with a store trying to require a $10 minimum. I called 1 800 Visa 911 and was directed to a general phone line Visa. They didn't know anything about Visa 911. It was a call center in Panama and I asked when I could call back to speak to an American. They told me the next day so I called back then and a half hour later I was still unable to find anyone that was familiar with this. They had not even heard of reporting this and all they knew how to handle were fraud reports. It ended with Bank of America on the line and their senior CSR apologizing for not being able to help because she nor anyone in her office knew anything about how to report a non-complying store. That's actually how I found Credit Card Forum was because I did a Google search and was trying to find out why this wasn't working. It looks like it no longer works or Visa is not actively enforcing this rule anymore. It's too bad.

Originally Posted by tyler349

Visa 911 appears to be non-existent or has been phased out now. I was on a trip last week and had a problem with a store trying to require a $10 minimum. I called 1 800 Visa 911 and was directed to a general phone line Visa. They didn't know anything about Visa 911. It was a call center in Panama and I asked when I could call back to speak to an American. They told me the next day so I called back then and a half hour later I was still unable to find anyone that was familiar with this. They had not even heard of reporting this and all they knew how to handle were fraud reports. It ended with Bank of America on the line and their senior CSR apologizing for not being able to help because she nor anyone in her office knew anything about how to report a non-complying store. That's actually how I found Credit Card Forum was because I did a Google search and was trying to find out why this wasn't working. It looks like it no longer works or Visa is not actively enforcing this rule anymore. It's too bad.

what a shame! I was going to try it the next time that happened to me haha

it became legal for stores to do minimum charges in 2010 I think

Originally Posted by FastSRT8

432521, is this for the US only or is it North American wide?

Neither. It is a US policy which allows (and I am sure that policy extends globally) merchants to have minimums if they are in certain categories. IE: Government offices. Which may also charge a fee to cover the transaction as well.

it is very much legal for a store or restaurant to set a minimum payment of 10.00 or so.

Today I went to a Italian/pizza restaurant it says 8.00. No big deal there are plenty of places that are more expensive. If you're only spending under 10.00 whats wrong with paying cash?

Billydoo how would you feel if you owned a store? and had to pay your employees, the gas and electric bill, the goverments, the company where you get your merchandise your own personal bills and some guy walked into your store and used a credit card for under 10.00 how would you feel?

If I were you I would have given them cash. besides it's their store there policy their rules.

Originally Posted by Money card

it is very much legal for a store or restaurant to set a minimum payment of 10.00 or so.

Today I went to a Italian/pizza restaurant it says 8.00. No big deal there are plenty of places that are more expensive. If you're only spending under 10.00 whats wrong with paying cash?

Billydoo how would you feel if you owned a store? and had to pay your employees, the gas and electric bill, the goverments, the company where you get your merchandise your own personal bills and some guy walked into your store and used a credit card for under 10.00 how would you feel?

If I were you I would have given them cash. besides it's their store there policy their rules.

Legal, yes. But it is in direct violation of the merchant agreement.