Consumers should check their receipts closely for “checkout fees”

Spokane Teachers Credit Union is reminding consumers that starting Jan. 27 they may start seeing signs in some of the places they shop, notifying them that a surcharge of up to 4 percent is being added to purchases made with any credit card.

It remains to be seen, though, how many stores, restaurants and other vendors actually will start imposing surcharges, which are commonly called “checkout fees.” News outlets such as Forbes and Consumer Reports have reported that merchants fear backlash. For instance, Dow Jones Business News reported that Target and Rite Aid will not charge the fees.

The c...