Break out the coin purse.
A new state law now forbids New York businesses from turning up their noses at cash — although hundreds of city shops continue to go cashless, while others are using creative ways to skirt the mandate.
The new law falls in lockstep with one the Big Apple has had in place for years, to varying degrees of success.
State Attorney General Letitia James last week issued a consumer alert reminding people that stores throughout the state must allow them to pay in cash — meaning credit card-only shops are now illegal.
Stores can also not charge more for customers who choose to pay with cash instead of plastic, mirroring a similar law that has been in effect in New York City since 2020.
Nearly 500 summonses have been handed out by the city Department of Consumer and Worker Protection since it started doling out punishments in 2021.
Almost all of the offenders have been in Manhattan, which racked up 371 summonses in the past six years.
Brooklyn was issued 107 in the same timeframe, while Queens received 15, and the Bronx had two.
Staten Island has received none.
But plenty of businesses are also skirting the rule without punishment through a loophole in the Big Apple law
Shops can provide a “reverse ATM” on premises that will convert the cash into a temporary card worth the same amount without requiring an additional fee.
Venues such as Madison Square Garden and Yankee Stadium have been using that process for years.
UBS Arena in Nassau County on Long Island has also had the special ATMs in place since it opened in 2021.
James is allowing businesses to refuse cash if they have reverse ATMs on the premises and do not implement a fee for their use.
The only time a business can refuse cash is for orders made over the phone or through the mail or if a customer pays with bills over $20.
“New Yorkers have a right to service no matter how they choose to pay,” James said in a statement.
“Businesses cannot deny New Yorkers access to necessities like food and clothing by refusing to take cash, or charging shoppers more for paying in cash. I will not hesitate to enforce this law to protect consumers across our state.”
