FTC: Going shopping? Don’t get shortchanged

Remember when stores ran out of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and face masks? Well, now COVID-19 is cause for a new shortage: coins. Because of business shutdowns and social distancing, people have been spending cash at stores or restaurants at record low levels. Adding to the shortage, the U.S. Mint has slowed down coin production for a few months to keep employees safe from COVID-19. Now, some businesses are running low on coins and not offering change.

Here are some tips to avoid losing money next time you go out shopping.

  • If you plan on paying in cash when shopping, bring coins from home so you can pay in exact change, if you can.
  • If you’re short on change and the store doesn’t have it, ask the cashier if they can offer you store credit or can donate the leftover to charity, which more stores are starting to offer. Or, pay using a credit or debit card — or by check, if accepted by the store.
  • If a store doesn’t offer change, it should clearly state or display this policy. If you find a store that’s intentionally misleading or deceptive about this policy, report it to your state attorney general.

To learn more about consumer protection issues related to COVID-19, check out ftc.gov/coronavirus for the latest updates.

 

By Sachit Gali, Intern, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC

 

Guest blogger for TDS Home.

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