Your Rights as a Consumer
What you need to know about cash rounding and how to protect yourself
Consumer Guide
Your Key Rights
Understanding these rights helps you ensure fair treatment in cash transactions
Right to Fair Rounding
- Businesses should use symmetrical rounding (nearest 5 cents)
- You round down as often as you round up
- Treasury guidelines recommend this approach
Right to Exact Card Payments
- Card, debit, and mobile payments remain exact
- No rounding on electronic transactions
- Pay by card if you want exact amounts
Right to Use Pennies
- Pennies remain legal tender indefinitely
- Banks must accept penny deposits from account holders
- Your pennies never lose their face value
Right to Clear Information
- Businesses should post rounding signage
- Receipts should show original and rounded amounts
- You can ask for explanation of rounding
How to Spot Improper Rounding
Know the warning signs of unfair rounding practices
Always rounding UP
Should be balanced - you should round down just as often
Rounding individual items
Should only round the final total, not each item
Rounding card transactions
Should be cash only - cards remain exact
Refusing to give change in pennies
Due to supply constraints, some businesses may not have pennies available
What To Do If Something Seems Wrong
Follow these steps if you encounter unfair rounding
Ask for clarification politely
Most issues are simple misunderstandings that can be resolved on the spot
Request to pay by card for exact amount
You always have the option to avoid rounding by using electronic payment
Keep your receipt
Document any discrepancies for your records or future reporting
Report persistent issues to consumer protection
If a business consistently uses unfair practices, file a complaint
Where to Report Issues
Resources for filing complaints about unfair practices
State Consumer Protection Office
Your first stop for local business complaints
State Attorney General
Handles patterns of deceptive business practices
Better Business Bureau
Facilitates resolution and tracks business reputation
FTC (Federal Trade Commission)
For widespread patterns affecting many consumers
Find Your State's Consumer Protection Agency
Each state has its own consumer protection office. Find yours to report local business issues.
Find Your State AgencyState Protections
Consumer protections vary by state. Some states have enacted specific laws regarding cash rounding and cash acceptance that may provide additional protections.
- Some states have specific cash rounding laws and regulations
- Several states have "right to pay cash" laws requiring businesses to accept cash
- State consumer protection offices can provide state-specific guidance
Learn How Rounding Works
Understand exactly how cash rounding is calculated with our comprehensive guide.
See the Rounding Rules