American shoppers face ban on popular in-store payment option – and it will change how you buy | 0468PF1 | 2024-05-02 17:08:01
American shoppers face ban on popular in-store payment option – and it will change how you buy | 0468PF1 | 2024-05-02 17:08:01
A MAJOR US city has taken its next steps toward a change in how shoppers can pay in stores.
Some Los Angeles City Council members have proposed a ban on cashless businesses.
Three officials have backed the motion that would follow several other US cities.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Francisco, California; and New York City have all outlawed companies that refuse to take cash.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a sharp rise in the number of stores that only accept card or app payments, to stop the spread of the virus.
This legacy has lived on in many places but Councilwoman Heather Hutt proposed a ban to protect certain groups of people, according to Fox affiliate KTTV.
She argued that cashless societies hurt people who don't have a bank account.
This could include people with bad credit and older people.
"Not accepting cash payments in the marketplace systematically excludes low-income communities of color, young people who do not meet the age qualifications for credit or debit cards, and seniors who have not transitioned to card or digital payment modes," Hutt said.
She also emphasized the importance of cash for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
"Especially as we end April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, this is about our victims of domestic violence who need to use cash for their safety and escape," she said.
"Electronic forms of payment can track them when trying to flee."
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> Hutt originally proposed the legislation change in August 2023 and the City Council spoke about the issue on Tuesday, April 30.
Two other council members, Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez, supported the move.
The motion has been expected to go through the Trade, Travel, and Tourism committee and head for a final vote this summer.
Los Angeles has not been the only place in the country to consider this ban.
</div> </div> The Florida legislature also proposed similar legislation, The U.S. Sun has previously reported.
Two senators, a Democrat and a Republican, for the Sunshine State backed the possible law.
"We are definitely leaving some people behind," Senator Shevrin Jones said.
"Everyone, regardless of their financial status or their background, deserves to take part in our economy," Jones added.
"We have to understand that there are also people who are not able to participate in the economy if we are saying now that cash is not accepted.
"Where does that leave people who don't have a credit card?"
Arizona, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Missouri have recently discussed similar bills, according to the Morning Star.
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