Cuomo Signs New Protections For Consumers Using Gift Cards

Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation instituting new protections for consumers using gift cards.

The bill increases the minimum time before cards are charged a user fee from 13 to 25 months.

It also places additional restrictions on those fees and expands the expiration dates of gift cards.  Under the new law, no gift card may have have an expiration date of earlier than fives years from the date of issuance.

"These new protections will help prevent New Yorkers from being nickeled and dimed by hidden costs and fees," Governor Cuomo said. "No one expects an asterisk when buying a gift card and I'm proud to sign this legislation to help ensure consumers get their money's worth."