KINGSTON, Jamaica – Shoppers are being encouraged to share receipts for purchases with the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) as the entity intensifies efforts to ensure that vendors comply with the Consumer Protection Act.

“Fax them to us, e-mail them to us, post them online; send us your receipts,” said Director of Research at the CAC, Racquel White.

“We are assessing them and we will be looking at how we can motivate our businesses to give our consumers the proof of purchase that is in accordance with the Act,” she said.

White stressed that by reporting non-compliant receipts and demanding proper proof of purchase, consumers can help to foster greater accountability and transparency within the marketplace.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CAC, Dolsie Allen, is urging consumers to demand receipts and not accept cash register tape as proof of payment.

“We cannot overemphasise the importance of getting your receipts. There are times when persons will make you special offers or give you a discount if you do not get a receipt. Now for me, my receipt, and based on the Consumer Protection Act, is your proof of purchase, and in the event that you have a challenge, then you need your receipt in order to make a claim,” she said.

Consumers are also being reminded that proper receipts include the name of the store, address, phone number, contact information, description of the item, any professional fees, or other charges involved in the purchase, and the total paid for the item.

The CEO further noted that failure to provide a receipt is often a warning sign of non-compliance.

“Once you see a vendor not willing to give you a receipt, to me, it’s a red flag. Something is wrong somewhere. You need to ensure that you do not fall victim to these types of allurements so please, ask for your receipt,” she urged.

The CAC has begun assessing receipts provided by businesses, starting with supermarkets, and remains committed to protecting consumer rights and promoting adherence to the Consumer Protection Act.

For more information, contact the Consumer Affairs Commission or visit their website at www.cac.gov.jm.
– JIS