January 12, 2009

Colapietro seeks help to protect gift card holders

Press release today from state Sen. Tom Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat whose 31st District includes Plymouth, Bristol, Plainville and part of Harwinton:

SEN. COLAPIETRO ASKS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM

CONNECTICUT TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM PAYING FEES ON GIFT CARDS

  

Hartford - The co-chair of the General Law Committee, Senator Tom Colapietro (D-Bristol) is asking members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation to back legislation that will prevent consumers in our state from having to pay fees on certain gift cards.  He said large banks not chartered in Connecticut are hurting consumers by trying to get around a state law that took effect in 2005 that bans fees on gift certificates.

 

PA 05-273 An Act Concerning Dormancy Charges and Gift Certificates prohibits retailers and other property holders from imposing dormancy charges or fees, inactivity charges, or any similar charges, fee, or penalty for inactivity on gift certificates.

 

Senator Colapietro said because Connecticut does not have control over federal banks some banks are trying to circumvent the law in on gift certificates and cards by charging a fee once the credit card receives a Visa or MasterCard logo.

 

“This is totally unfair to consumers in Connecticut because the person who purchases the gift card will pay a fee and the person who receives the card will pay a fee once the expiration date is added to the card,” said Senator Colapietro.  “This is contrary to state law and should not be allowed to continue.” 


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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

But what does Tommy say about state employees' arbitration?

Anonymous said...

You financial wizards aren't going to have anybody to screw any more. We'll see how you like the unemployment line.

Anonymous said...

"Colapietro seeks help to protect gift card holders" so we have more money to pay the state in taxes.

Anonymous said...

"Colapietro seeks help to protect gift card holders" so we have more money to pay the state in taxes.

January 14, 2009 12:06 AM
Let the record show that this republican hatemonger want's the people to pay for gift cards again,

Anonymous said...

I hope Tom will be at Bill's forum so he can learn what's going on.

Anonymous said...

Yawn .....same ol whiners I see.

Anonymous said...

What to do about gift cards is pretty obvious. But what about the hard questions, like the state employees' arbitration? What does our senator say about that? What does he say about the state's fiscal woes? I already know the answer: he doesn't say anything.

Anonymous said...

What, you want him to actually think and speak?

Anonymous said...

I guess the one track mind "Union Haters" are still at it. What about the gift card problem? I guess you jerks would prefer to play politics as usual. Great blog for venting the losers frustrations I guess!