South Street Supermarket Sued Over $1.75 ATM Fee

We all hate those dreadful ATM fees, but one Pennsylvania man is taking action while the rest of us just bitch and moan. Last week, Paul Greiff, a 48-year-old gold buyer from Allegheny County, filed a class-action lawsuit in Philadelphia’s federal court against South Square Market, that overpriced grocery store that’s been at the corner of 23rd and South streets for longer than I care to remember. Back in August, Greiff was visiting Philadelphia and needed some money, so he hit up the ATM inside the market. Like most non-Wawa ATMs, this cash machine charged a fee: $1.75, according to his suit. Problem is, there’s no sign posted on the ATM warning customers of the surcharge, a fact I verified this morning by having a Philly Mag research assistant (a.k.a. intern) walk down and snap a few photos. According to a 2006 Congressional amendment to something called the Electronic Fund Transfers Act, ATM operators are required to inform customers of a surcharge both on the screen (“This ATM charges a $2.50 surcharge. Do you wish to continue?”) as well as with a sign on or near the ATM, which South Square does not do. Greiff is seeking unspecified statutory damages as well as attorney fees, so if you have a receipt from the market’s ATM, jump on board. You might just get a Banquet Turkey Pot Pie out of the deal.