NCJ Number
55915
Date Published
1978
Length
109 pages
Annotation
TESTIMONY BY BANKERS AND CONSUMER GROUPS HIGHLIGHT AREAS OF CONFLICT REGARDING CREDIT CARD REGULATION AND THE TYPES OF CONSUMER PROTECTION NEEDED FOR ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFER (EFT) TECHNOLOGY.
Abstract
MAJOR AREAS OF CONFLICT ARISING DURING THIS CONGRESSIONAL HEARING IN COLUMBUS, OHIO, WERE: (1) THE TREATMENT OF EFT STOP-PAYMENT ORDERS (CONSUMER GROUPS FAVORED A 3-DAY TIME LIMIT FOR STOPPING PAYMENT ON ROUTINELY AUTHORIZED BILL PAYMENTS WHILE BANKERS FELT SUCH PAYMENTS SHOULD BE REGARDED AS CASH TRANSACTIONS WITH NO FLOAT PERIOD); (2) THE DEGREE OF CONSUMER LIABILITY FOR MISUSE OF PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS AND THE TIME LIMIT FOR NOTIFICATION OF THE EFT SYSTEM IF THERE IS LOSS OR ERROR (THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS HAVE A TIME LIMIT OF 1-YEAR. BANKS FEEL LOSSES SHOULD BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY OR WITHIN 10 DAYS); (3) THE PROPOSED BAN ON INDISCRIMINANT TELEPHONE OR MAIL SOLICITATION OF CREDIT CARD OR EFT CUSTOMERS (CONSUMER GROUPS DESIRED THE BAN BECAUSE MANY PERSONS HAVE COMPLAINED THAT THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE CHARGES SUCH A CARD WOULD INCLUDE; AND (4) THE AMOUNT OF DETAIL REQUIRED FOR CREDIT CARD BILLS (THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION REQUIRES COPIES OF SIGNED RECEIPTS FOR EACH TRANSACTION. THE BANKS MAINTAINED THIS WOULD REQUIRE COSTLY HAND SORTING AND RAISE COSTS TO CONSUMERS). CONSUMER GROUPS ALSO TESTIFIED THAT CURRENT CREDIT CARD CHARGES WERE TOO HIGH. ONE CONSUMER ADVOCATE MAINTAINED THAT EFT SYSTEMS WOULD ENCOURAGE MISMANAGEMENT OF FAMILY FUNDS BY REDUCING AWARENESS OF BILLS, THUS ALLOWING THE CONSUMER TO OVERSPEND UNTIL A CRISIS WAS REACHED. SEVERAL GROUPS ENTERED POINT-BY-POINT CRITICISMS OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS INTO THE RECORD. (GLR)