Outside the Box: Hidden ‘junk fees’ are nickel and diming us out of our hard-earned dollars

United States

In recent years, a wide variety of businesses have turned “junk fees” into a common scourge for consumers. These charges, such as “resort fees,” “convenience fees” or “overdraft fees,” often are hidden from customers until the transaction is almost over — for example, when you’re checking out of a hotel or website. Sometimes, it’s difficult to differentiate between reasonable charges and exploitative ones. Some companies slip junk fees into your final invoice by giving them a fancy name that isn’t accurate or by portraying them as mandatory when they’re really optional. 

As…