Understanding Cardholder Discrimination at Store Checkout.
01. What is the California UNRUH ACT?.
The First Steps: The Unruh Civil Rights Act requires “full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges or services in all business establishments.” This includes, but is not limited to, the following places: Hotels and motels Nonprofit organizations that have a business purpose or are a public accommodation Restaurants Theaters Hospitals Barber shops and beauty salons Housing accommodations Public agencies Retail establishments The following examples represent potential violations of the Unruh Civil Rights Act. Other situations may also qualify as Unruh Act violations depending on the specific circumstances. A visually impaired individual is told their service animal is not allowed in a store. Charging men and women different prices for comparable services, such as clothing alterations, haircuts, dry cleaning, or drinks at a restaurant or bar.
02. Understanding Cardholder Discrimination at Store Checkout.
Cardholder discrimination at store checkout typically refers to unfair or illegal treatment of customers based on their use of payment cards, such as credit, debit, or government benefit cards like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) EBT cards. This can manifest in various ways, often tied to economic, racial, or accessibility biases. Below, I'll break it down by common scenarios, supported by laws and examples.
03.. Discrimination Against SNAP/EBT Card Users too.
Cardholder discrimination at store checkout typically refers to unfair or illegal treatment of customers based on their use of payment cards, such as credit, debit, or government benefit cards like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) EBT cards. This can manifest in various ways, often tied to economic, racial, or accessibility biases. Below, I'll break it down by common scenarios, supported by laws and examples.
1. Discrimination Against SNAP/EBT Card Users.
SNAP benefits are loaded onto EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cards, which function like debit cards for eligible food purchases. Retailers authorized to accept SNAP are federally required to treat these users equally, but violations occur frequently, disproportionately affecting low-income and minority communities.
Common Practices: Stores may impose minimum transaction amounts (e.g., requiring a $10 purchase), charge extra fees for EBT use, demand proof of balance before checkout, or refuse small purchases. For instance, in Washington, D.C., complaints highlighted retailers setting arbitrary minimums or balances, leading to denied service.
Laws and Protections: Under U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rules, retailers cannot charge fees, set minimums, or require balance checks for SNAP transactions. Violations can result in fines or loss of authorization to accept SNAP. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) also prohibits broader credit-related discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or age.
What to Do: Report incidents to your state's SNAP office, the USDA (via their hotline at 1-877-823-4369), or local consumer protection agencies like D.C.'s OAG (online at oag.dc.gov or by calling 202-442-9828). Use the USDA's SNAP Retailer Locator to verify compliant stores.
