The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is reminding Jamaicans that it is important to obtain or ask for a receipt when making purchases this festive season.

The Commission says the importance of asking for an official receipt on every purchase or payment made is not a common knowledge to all businesses and consumers.

It says some shops do not give a receipt, but people have a right to get one, no matter where they shop.

The CAC says a receipt is proof of purchase and is required in the event the consumer needs to make a claim.

The consumer protection act says the receipt must have certain basic information, such as:

-the amount paid;

-the date of purchase;

-a description of the goods or services sold;

-the professional fee charged, where applicable;

-and any other information as may be prescribed.

The Commission says if this information is not on the receipt, then the vendor is not obeying the Consumer Protection Act, which clearly says suppliers and service providers must give consumers a receipt for goods or services purchased.

A vendor who fails to provide a receipt commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction before a Resident Magistrate to a fine not exceeding $50,000.00 or to imprisonment for a term of 30 days or both.

In the meantime, the commission explains that for businesses, the importance of a receipt translates to:

-completeness of records;

-can be claimed as deduction or refund;

-facilitates audit queries;

-is hard evidence that the transaction took place.