Cashless Prohibition

Consumers who feel they have been denied the right to pay cash anywhere in the county—both incorporated and unincorporated parts of Miami-Dade—can file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division. Our Mediation Center handles Cashless Retail Prohibition complaints.

Consumers can also file complaints against a person or entity that posts signs indicating that cash payments aren’t accepted for the sale of goods or services at retail. This also includes businesses that charge a higher price to customers who pay using cash instead of other forms of payment.

To initiate an investigation, you must completely fill out a consumer complaint affidavit and submit it to our Mediation Center. You can do so via fax, email or mail. You must include business information, address, phone number and email if possible and the owner’s name in the affidavit.  Send a summary of the facts on which you base your allegation and copies of any materials that pertain to your complaint. Do not send original documents. 

All matters received by the Consumer Protection Division are reviewed to determine if all information required is complete. Once the complaint is processed, an investigative analyst will be assigned to the case to investigate the complaint and take any additional steps.

The Ordinance does not apply to the following:

1. Sales that are not conducted in person, such as electronic transactions
2. Telephone, mail, internet transactions, or other electronic transactions
3. Transactions at wholesale clubs that sell consumer goods and services through a membership model
4. Services provided by accountants, architects, attorneys, engineers, financial advisers, insurance agents, interior designers, software developers, and management
5. Transactions at retail stores selling consumer goods exclusively through a membership model that requires payment using an affiliated mobile device application
6. Consumer goods or services provided exclusively to employees and others authorized to be on the employer's premises
7. Transactions for the rental of consumer goods, services, or accommodations for which posting of collateral or security is typically required
8. Sales in which the business suspects the use of counterfeit cash
9. The use of cash denominations larger than $20.00 by a customer
10. Any transactions the County is preempted from regulating under Florida statute (for example, restaurant and private parking facilities).

The Mediation Center will review your complaint to determine if and how we can assist. If it is a situation in which we can help, we will contact the business to attempt to find an amicable resolution. This may require multiple attempts and take up to four weeks or more.