View original document

The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.

Release Date: November 27, 2006

For immediate release
The Federal Reserve Board on Monday announced its approval of a final rule regarding
consumer authorization requirements when a person, such as a merchant, seeks to
electronically collect a fee for checks or other items that are returned unpaid. The final rule
clarifies that the requirement to obtain the consumer's authorization applies to the person
seeking to electronically collect the returned item fee. The rule contains additional
provisions related to the consumer's authorization and the content of notices that must be
given to the consumer.
The amendments addressing the electronic collection of returned item fees are being made
to Regulation E, which implements the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, and to the official
staff commentary, which interprets the requirements of Regulation E. The effective date of
the final rule is January 1, 2007, consistent with a previously issued January 2006 final rule;
however, certain provisions regarding the content of notices that must be provided to
consumers in point-of-sale transactions will have a delayed compliance date of January 1,
2008.
In a separate action, the Board requested public comment on a proposed rule to except
transactions of $15 or less from Regulation E's requirement that receipts be made available
to consumers for transactions initiated at an electronic terminal. The proposed exception is
intended to facilitate the ability of consumers to use debit cards in retail environments where
the receipt requirement may not be practical or cost-effective. The Board requests comment
on the proposed rule within sixty days after publication in the Federal Register.
Both Federal Register notices are attached.
Final rule 87 KB PDF | TEXT
Proposed rule 72 KB PDF | TEXT
2006 Banking and consumer regulatory policy
Home | News and events
Accessibility
Last update: December 12, 2006