American Dream Mall's Dream Wheel Named In Cashless Crackdown: AG

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — American Dream Mall's big wheel gave customers the runaround when it came time to pay for the ride, according to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin.

Dream Wheel and a Hillside bagel shop are among four New Jersey businesses to receive violation notices for either refusing to accept cash or hiding credit card fees, the Attorney General announced Tuesday.

“New Jersey consumers deserve to know exactly how much they will be paying when they go to a store and be able to pay however they can,” said Platkin. “Laws requiring businesses to accept cash protect consumers and ensure social equity in stores throughout the state.”

Dream Wheel — owned and operated by Skyviews of America (a tenant of the mall) — demanded customers who wanted to pay cash instead buy a gift card (which came with a surcharge) before they hopped on the 300-foot-tall wheel, the Attorney General contends.

This policy violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, which mandates state businesses accept cash and maintain transparency over hidden fees.

Skyviews of America could face a $1,000 fine if they do not contest the charges, officials said.

The second Bergen County business cited was Ronnie's Hot Bagels in Hillside, according to the Attorney General.

Ronnie's received a violation notice and a $500 fine over credit card surcharges customers were not made aware of until they received their receipts, Platkin said.

Skyviews of America or Ronnie's Hot Bagels did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Division of Consumer Affairs' Office of Consumer Protection has investigated dozens of complaints regarding businesses that either did not accept cash as payment or charged consumers for using cards without clearly disclosing such fees, according to Acting Director Cari Fais.

Said Fais, “The enforcement actions the Division has recently taken will make sure store owners do not forget their responsibilities to consumers under the law.”

New Jersey residents who wish to report a business in violation can file an online complaint with the Attorney General's office or call 1-800-242-5846.