With the Christmas party season getting into full swing, residents have been urged to report dishonest bars, restaurants or hotels who are ripping them off through double tipping.

Five establishments which continue to break the law by seeking double tips have been given written warnings in the past two months.

And Community Affairs Minister Randolph Horton warned yesterday that if they continue, the owners faced being dragged before the courts and fined up to $10,000 or jailed for six months.

Double tipping occurs when a credit or debit card slip includes a space to give a tip, even though the tip has already been included in the bill.

Double tipping has been outlawed since 1999 under the Consumer Protection Act, but Mr. Horton said it was still happening, and he hoped it would end by the New Year.

“The Department of Consumer Affairs has continued to receive complaints this practice,” said Mr. Horton.

“We are asking consumers to contact the Department if they experience the misleading practice of double tipping, and we will address the issue with the service provider.

“It is something that we are addressing, but if it continues we will have to take a stronger arm to stop them.

“Now, of course, we are not telling anyone who feels they have received superior service that they should not give an extra tip - by all means feel free to do so if you get extraordinary service, even if the word ‘tip' does not appear in the credit or debit slip.”

Mr. Horton also warned consumers to be careful if their debit or credit card number appears on a retail slip to ensure thieves don't get them and start using their accounts.

Last year in the United States, 700,000 people fell victim to criminals who obtained their card information and identification to order goods.

Mr. Horton said that if a full card number was printed on a retail slip and the customer was entering a prize draw where they had to attach their receipt, they should tear off the numbers before entering the draw.

And he urged consumers to be aware of the three R's when doing their Christmas shopping this year: Refrain from over-spending; check Returns policies at stores; and always keep Receipts.