When companies attempt to charge fees the person did not agree to initially, that's often illegal. Now that companies are being held accountable for charging unlawful fees, they have switched to new, underhanded tactics to try to continue to extract junk fee revenue from consumers. It’s particularly suspect when people have no choice about doing business with a company, such as a servicer or debt collector, when the fees are buried in “terms of service” or other hidden places, or when companies use “dark patterns” or other tricks to try to get consumers to “agree” to fees.
Check out the following CFPB blog describing new sketchy fee tactics:
New tactics from companies trying to charge illegal junk fees | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
If you have had a problem with a consumer financial product or service, including improper tactics involving contract terms, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB.
