PSCS Fee

by Richard Baratta
(Long Island, NY)

Shambhu Borah: A very happy and healthy New Year to you and yours!

I purchased a time card for $19.99 (60 minute card). With tax, it comes to $21.71 - has been this way for years. Today (1/2/18), I was charged an additional $1.20 - called a "PSCS FEE". Do you have any idea what this charge is for? Do you think it has anything to do with the fact that my phone is not a 'smart phone'?
I use the LG440G.
Thanks for your input.

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Hi Richard,

Happy New Year to you as well. Good catch on the fee. PSCS stands for "Public Safety Communications Surcharge", a New York state surcharge on prepaid wireless service that took effect on Dec 1, 2017. So it doesn't have anything to do with your phone, just where you live.

Regards,
sb

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May 24, 2023
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Ridiculous Xtra $1.20 charge for phone cards
by: Lora

I just went to a different Walmart than I normally do, and I bought my monthly phone card and at this Walmart. I noticed a dollar 20 extra charge. When I asked what it was they didn't know so we looked it up, and it's some Communications charge that New York State adds and if it's been in effect since 2017 how come it's the first time I've encountered it and how come the other Walmart I go to doesn't charge it? Who really is getting the extra money? And they should really have it posted with the price of the item so you know how much you need to pay for it. What happens if you didn't bring enough?
Oct 19, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		WHAT IS HAPPENING?
by: Anonymous

This is the very 1st time I have ever been charged a PSCS fee plus tax! This is RIDICULOUS! I have a VERY LIMITED INCOME! I live in Depew within Lancaster, NYS. This is NOT a big city. WHY is this happening? I am NOT happy at all about it. The WAL-MART employee(Hobart) did not bother to tell me I would be charged this either.
A $50 T-Mobile refill card cost me $55.58. THIS HAS GOT TO STOP! Poor people like myself can NOT afford this!!!
Jun 18, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Ripping us off again
by: Anonymous

Leave it to NY to find another way to rip us off, should be called "NY, we'll find a way to steal from you" state!
Aug 30, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thats New York
by: Anonymous

The great state of New York always seems to find new ways to add to our tax burden, or as they call this one , a surcharge, with public safety as the alleged reason, just another good sounding cause , like the NYS law enforcement surchage on auto insurance in NY. I wonder how much if any of these added charges actually go to enhance public safety and how much is just plain old B.S.
Feb 26, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		PSCS Charge!
by: Anonymous

On a $10 prepaid phone card you now pay 20% tax in New York! 8% state and local tax is $.80 + $1.20 PSCS charge = $2.00. 20% is ridiculous on a $10 prepaid phone card. A $1.20 going to the PSCS? So far I haven't found any information saying why? From my point of view the PSCS is just a rubber stamp for any approval needed by our local unity Central Hudson. I don't think the PSCS has ever turn a rate increase down when requested by Central Hudson. I didn't know the PSCS can levy taxes? Welcome to New York.
Jan 30, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		it figures
by: Anonymous

Like New York doesn't get enough of our money in taxes

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