Forced to pay service charge? Here's how you can lodge a complaint

If a restaurant is forcing customers to pay extra money in the name of service charges, customers can lodge a complaint with the CCPA

To prevent unfair trade practices, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Monday issued guidelines barring hotels and restaurants from levying service charge automatically or by default in food bills and allowed customers to file complaints in case of violation.

Generally, restaurants and hotels levy a service charge of 10 per cent on the food bill. The CCPA said that no hotel or restaurant can force a consumer to pay service charge. They have to clearly inform the consumer that service charge is voluntary, optional, and at consumer's discretion.

If a restaurant is forcing customers to pay extra