THE PROBLEM

Junk fees—the bogus “convenience” and “processing” fees charged by big corporations across the economy—cost the average American family more than $3,000 per year. 

By hiding the true price of an item until you’ve already sunk time and effort into a purchase, junk fees can raise prices by more than 20 percent. Junk fees also hurt honest, local businesses, whose transparent prices appear higher than those backloaded with junk fees. 

BEST LEGISLATION TO FOLLOW

Economic Liberties model legislation

Bans on junk fees have already gone into effect in Virginia, Colorado, California, Connecticut, and Minnesota; Massachusetts implemented a junk fee ban through attorney general rule making in March 2025. Ten additional states are considering legislation to crack down on junk fees this year.

LEARN MORE

Campaign: End Junk Fees

Policy Brief: How States Can Take on Junk Fees