PHILADELPHIA, PA – Attorney General Michelle Henry testified on Wednesday before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on the increasing prevalence of “junk fees” in Pennsylvania.
These unexpected charges, which often substantially inflate the final purchase price, are damaging the competitive marketplace and affecting consumers across the state.
The Attorney General cited examples of junk fees becoming more common in consumer financing, landlord/tenant arrangements, and hotel and ticket sales in Pennsylvania and beyond.
These surprise charges are hurting both consumers and honest businesses.
The Office of Attorney General has taken action against businesses charging these fees in recent years. In August 2022, the Office filed a suit against Mariner Finance for charging Pennsylvanians more than $27 million in junk fees and interest for add-ons from 2015 to 2018, with another $120 million in 2019. The case is still ongoing.
The Office of Attorney General continues to combat these deceptive practices in order to protect consumers and honest businesses.