The Electronic Payments Coalition (EPC) has launched a national advocacy campaign titled "Guard Your Card" to inform Americans about the potential risks associated with new government mandates proposed in the Durbin-Marshall Credit Card Bill. According to the EPC, these mandates could undermine the secure and convenient credit card payment networks that consumers and small businesses rely on daily.
The "Guard Your Card" campaign aims to educate consumers on the dangers of mandating credit card transactions through untested networks. It also highlights the benefits that current credit card payment systems provide to small businesses across America. The campaign encourages Americans to contact their Members of Congress and includes television ads, display ads, and social media promotions both in Washington, DC, and nationwide. More information is available on the campaign's website at www.GuardYourCard.com.
EPC Executive Chairman Richard Hunt issued a statement ahead of the campaign launch: "Americans have already flooded their Members of Congress with more than two million letters, and those numbers will continue growing with the new ‘Guard Your Card’ campaign. It is clear Americans value their credit card and believe the current system works. The Durbin-Marshall mandates are nothing more than a giveaway to the largest corporate mega-stores paid for by the loss of consumers’ data protections and rewards."
Hunt further emphasized that these mandates could disadvantage small businesses: "What’s worse, the Durbin-Marshall mandates stack the deck against small businesses. Independent research has found the proposed mandates primarily benefit the largest corporate chains, and the Congressional Research Service questioned whether small businesses would see any benefit at all."
The first in a series of "Guard Your Card" TV ads can be viewed online.
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