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Hidden Fees Lawsuit Attorney

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Investigating false advertising, drip pricing, and hidden fee claims

Consumers regularly face deceptive sales practices, which may include hidden fees and drip pricing. These tactics are used in several industries, and Americans are sick and tired of receiving bills with curious add-on fees. Thus, plaintiffs across the country have taken legal action to protect their pocketbooks and hold corporations responsible for unfair sales practices.

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Across the country, consumers and state attorneys general are fighting back. Lawsuits are being filed to stop companies from using these unfair tactics and to help everyday people get their money back.

Joe Lyon is an experienced class action consumer protection attorney, representing Americans in deceptive billing, false advertising, and hidden fee lawsuits for nearly two decades. The Lyon Firm holds major corporations accountable for unfair and illegal trade practices and seeks compensation for classes of plaintiffs.

If you’ve been hit with hidden fees, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to accept it. The Lyon Firm is here to help. Call us at (513) 381-2333 or fill out our quick online form to talk about your situation and learn how we may be able to take action on your behalf in a hidden fees lawsuit.

“The Lyon Firm truly cares for their clients. From first call to last settlement check, they are a dependable law firm every step of the way. Joe and John are responsive and great to work with. Thank you.”

– Mitch T. | Client

What Are Hidden Fees and Drip Pricing?

Drip pricing occurs when a company advertises a specific price to entice consumers, but when they reach the end of the sales process, additional fees and charges have been “dripped” into the total cost. 

Hidden fees, on the other hand, is a broader term for any extra charges that aren’t clearly shown to you from the beginning. These fees might be tucked away in the fine print of a contract, added on at the very last moment before you click “buy,” or appear mysteriously on your bill later. 

While drip pricing is a common way to introduce hidden fees, not all hidden fees are added through the “drip” method. Sometimes, a hidden fee might just appear on your monthly statement without any previous warning during the sale.

The pricing scheme is shockingly effective, which is why so many companies use it. If a product seems less expensive at first, consumers tend to just eat the final cost because they’ve already made up their mind to make the purchase.

Hidden fees can cause customer dissatisfaction, but many pay the higher cost anyway, as they see no alternatives in some cases. Competitors may be transparent in their fees and eliminate hidden fees and drip pricing, but some portion of consumers will stick with the company that misleads them in the end.

Attorneys have argued that some companies do not adequately disclose certain fees and only provide explanations deep within their contracts or websites. Complaints say companies improperly collect hundreds of millions from consumers, which should be recovered and disbursed.

Watch Our Video About the Class Action Process 

Filing class action lawsuits is a complex and serious legal course and can carry monetary sanctions if proper legal course is not followed. The Lyon Firm is dedicated to assisting plaintiffs work toward a financial solution.

We work with law firms across the country to provide the most resources possible and to build your case into a valuable settlement. The current legal environment is favorable for consumers involved in data breach class actions, deceptive marketing lawsuits, TCPA telemarketing claims, and financial negligence claims.

CONTACT THE LYON FIRM TODAY

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ABOUT THE LYON FIRM

Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.

The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.

NO COST UNLESS WE WIN

The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.

Hidden Fees Lawsuit

There is no shortage of companies using deception in their sales methods, which can be unlawful and allow consumers to file false advertising claims and hold the company responsible. At the center of the complaints are allegations that fees are misleading or inadequately disclosed to consumers.

A lawsuit filed by AT&T customers urged AT&T to stop charging hidden fees. Many customers feel they have been deceived about the cost of their broadband services. A class action lawsuit was filed against AT&T for allegedly hiding “administrative fees” on customer bills. A study by GlobalData found that advertised cable rates don’t reflect what customers actually pay. Bills can be up to 45% higher than the prices advertised by providers.

Attorneys have argued in courts that consumers may not be able to fairly compare the price of different products or plans because they are only told part of the price. It is often not considered false advertising, however, and is just considered clever marketing tactics. Other hidden fee lawsuits have included the following:

  • Spirit Airlines Hidden Fees Class Action: A class action was filed against Spirit Airlines for allegedly hiding carry-on baggage fees.
  • Marriott and Hilton Drip Pricing: Marriott and Hilton hotels were both sued for allegedly using drip pricing programs that charged hidden fees on hotel rooms.
  • Chipotle Delivery Hidden Fees Lawsuit: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. was hit with a lawsuit over their offers for “free delivery” or “$1 delivery,” which did not include added hidden fees on delivery orders. The suit alleges that Chipotle marks up its delivered food prices by up to 15% while declining to apply the same markup to items ordered for pickup, far exceeding the “free” or “one dollar” promises.
  • Bank of America Hidden Fees Class Action: A class action alleged Bank of America misled its customers by adding automated clearinghouse (ACH) transfer fees for a service that’s otherwise free for transferring money.
  • CenturyLink Hidden Fees Lawsuit: CenturyLink was ordered to pay over $6 million to settle a lawsuit over hidden fees on customer bills. The internet company allegedly added charges to customer bills without accurately disclosing those fees. CenturyLink also failed to provide discounts that their sales agents had reportedly promised.
  • Verizon Hidden Fees Lawsuit: Verizon agreed to a $100 million settlement after being accused of charging “administrative fees” that were not properly disclosed in their advertised wireless plan prices. The lawsuit claimed these hidden fees were deceptive and unfair. Eligible customers could receive a payout based on how long they used Verizon services between 2016 and 2023.
  • Coinbase Hidden Fees Lawsuit: Coinbase was sued for allegedly hiding “spread fees” in its cryptocurrency pricing. The lawsuit claims Coinbase inflated prices by about 1–2% without clearly telling users, which led to millions of dollars in hidden charges. Plaintiffs say these fees were buried in small print or vague tooltips, making them hard to detect and understand.
  • Spectrum Hidden Fees Lawsuit: Spectrum (Charter Communications) is facing a class action over a $28 “re-transmission fee” added to cable bills. The lawsuit claims the company misled customers by making the fee seem like a government charge, when it may actually be a way to increase profits. Plaintiffs argue the fee was not clearly explained and is unfairly passed on to millions of customers.

Big companies count on you not noticing those extra charges. They sneak in fees hoping most people will just accept them without question. But what you see should be what you pay. No surprises. No fine print tricks.

These aren’t just small annoyances. They set a dangerous precedent that hurts everyday consumers. If you’ve been charged more than you expected, you have every right to push back. Call The Lyon Firm at (513) 381-2333 or fill out our online form for a free case review. Let’s hold these companies accountable together.

How Hidden Fees Marketing Works

There is significant behavioral science behind these unfair sales tactics. Once a consumer has their sights on an item, letting go of it becomes difficult. Consumers wind up making purchases that, in hindsight, they might not have made, knowing the full cost.

Hidden fees and drip pricing class actions have been filed against online ticket sale companies like StubHub and Ticketmaster. Hiding fees is a particularly effective strategy for online sales, when additional fees are disclosed only when customers are confirming their purchases on the checkout page.

Experts say that basic economic theory can clearly predict how hidden fees can make consumers buy more. For example, prior to 2015, StubHub displayed all-inclusive ticket prices on its site. This upfront-fee pricing strategy included all required fees, amounting to 15% of the ticket price plus shipping costs. 

However, when the company began experimenting with adding the extra fees only on the checkout page, StubHub found that users spent over 20% more on tickets. Buyers were also more likely to complete a purchase compared with those who saw the total price of the tickets from the start. After the sales experiment, StubHub changed the pricing structure across its site to use the back-end fees, hiding them until buyers checked out. 

Are Hidden Fees Illegal?

In reality, consumers have been hit with so many taxes and fees in the past, they have almost come to expect it, and many don’t even notice, especially when the amounts are small.

So, do consumers have a right to know the full price up front? Yes, and many states are now passing their own “honest pricing” laws. 

While Canada has notably banned drip pricing for ticket sales for some time, the U.S. is catching up quickly. There are new laws at both the state and federal level that show a clear move towards greater transparency.

In What States Is Drip Pricing Illegal?

California’s Senate Bill 478 (SB 478), often called the “Honest Pricing Law” or “Hidden Fees Statute,” went into effect on July 1, 2024. 

This law makes it generally illegal for most businesses to advertise a price for a good or service that doesn’t include all mandatory fees or charges, other than government taxes and shipping costs. This directly targets drip pricing, making sure the price you see is the price you pay. 

Other states, like Minnesota and Massachusetts, have also enacted or are implementing similar laws to require businesses to include mandatory fees in their advertised prices upfront.

Minnesota’s new law, effective January 1, 2025, amends its Deceptive Trade Practices Act to require that all mandatory fees and surcharges be included in any advertised or displayed price. This means businesses can no longer list a partial price and tack on unavoidable fees at checkout. The law aims to stop “drip pricing” and ensure consumers can compare prices fairly. 

Massachusetts has also passed strong new consumer protection rules, enforceable September 2, 2025, banning “junk fees” and deceptive pricing practices. Under the updated regulations, businesses must clearly show the total cost of a product or service before collecting any personal or payment info. 

On the federal level, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has also taken significant action. Its Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees, which went into effect on May 12, 2025, specifically targets hidden fees and drip pricing in the live-event ticketing (like concert tickets) and short-term lodging (hotels, vacation rentals) industries. 

This rule demands that businesses in these sectors show the total, all-in price upfront, including all mandatory fees like resort fees or processing fees. 

Why Are Hidden Fee Cases Important?

Given the chance, companies take advantage of consumers’ impulses and hide the real cost of their products. Without class actions, large corporate defendants would be able to cause small amounts of harm over a large group of individuals without any risk of monetary penalty.

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Why Hire The Lyon Firm

Companies that use hidden fees and drip pricing are betting that no one will challenge them. At The Lyon Firm, we prove them wrong. We’ve spent nearly two decades holding some of the world’s largest corporations accountable for deceptive and unfair practices, because no one should have to pay more than they agreed to.

Joe Lyon is a seasoned class action attorney with national experience in complex litigation. He’s led cases across all 50 states and knows how to build strong, evidence-backed lawsuits that get results.

If you’ve been misled by a company’s pricing, call (513) 381-2333 or fill out our online form to learn how you can join other consumers in fighting back. 

CONTACT THE LYON FIRM TODAY

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Hidden Fee Lawsuit FAQs

Can I File a Class Action Lawsuit?

Yes, you can. If a company has charged you and others hidden or unfair fees, you may be able to start or join a class action lawsuit. 

A class action lets one person file a case on behalf of many others who were affected in the same way. These cases are common when the amount lost by each person is small, but the total harm across all customers is significant. Hidden fees are a perfect example. On their own, they might seem minor, but when thousands or even millions of people are charged unfairly, the impact adds up quickly.

Class actions are a powerful tool to hold companies accountable, especially when they count on most people staying silent. If you were charged more than you agreed to pay, we can help you understand your rights and next steps.

What Are the Requirements to File a Class Action?

In order for a case to be certified as a class action, the court must determine that the case is appropriate for class action treatment under Rule 23. There are different elements depending on whether the case is seeking monetary or injunctive relief. In general, the court must find the following elements are satisfied:

  • Numerosity: The proposed class must be so numerous that simply joining the individual plaintiffs would be impractical. Generally, the class size should exceed 100 individuals.
  • Common Questions of Law or Fact: The facts and/or legal questions in the dispute must be common to all class members. This does not mean all facts or issues must be identical, but the primary facts and law that will determine the issue in dispute must be common among all class members.
  • Typicality: The named plaintiff in the case must have the same facts and legal issues as the class they are proposing to represent. If the plaintiff’s individual case involves issues of fact or law unique to that plaintiff and are irrelevant to the ultimate issue, class certification may be denied by the court.
  • Plaintiff/Counsel Adequately Represents the Class: The court must find that the plaintiff and plaintiff’s counsel are competent and will protect the class’ interests.
  • Predominance: Common questions of fact predominate over individual facts.
  • Superiority: The class action is a more efficient and fair means of resolving the dispute. The court will look at the following factors when making this determination: (1) class member interest in maintaining a separate action; (2) the extent of any litigation already begun by other class members; (3) desirability or undesirability of litigating the case in a particular court ; (4) difficulties in managing the class.
Does the honest pricing law force businesses to lower prices?

No. It requires transparency, not price caps. Companies can charge what they want but must show the full mandatory price up front (before taxes and shipping).

Are shipping charges always excluded?

Only reasonable shipping for physical goods may be separated from the displayed price. Digital goods/services and in-person services typically cannot add mandatory “service” fees later.

Can restaurants add a service charge?

Restaurant rules evolved via later legislation and exemptions; they still must be truthful and non-deceptive. 

What Counts as a Class Action?

Specifically, cases that involve injuries to the parties contain too many individual facts in terms of the science and causation to find that the common issues predominate over the individual facts. Deceptive marketing cases may qualify. 

On the other hand, complex litigation that impacts many individuals and contain common questions of fact related to the conduct of the defendant are often appropriate for mass tort consolidation. Mass tort consolidation in federal multi-district litigation or a state mass tort docket, allows the parties to utilize the efficiency of class action litigation through the discovery process but still allows the parties to litigate their cases individually on the critical issues of whether the conduct caused the alleged injuries.

What Services Commonly Include Hidden Fees?

Hidden or undisclosed fees can show up in a wide range of services. Common areas include health and life insurance, mutual funds, brokerage accounts, and financial services that charge vague “maintenance” or “inactivity” fees.

Cable and internet providers often advertise low rates that don’t include extra monthly charges. Gyms, subscription services, and prepaid phone cards may add unexpected costs or auto-renew without proper notice.

Other industries where hidden fees are common include hotels, airlines, car rentals, utilities, and event ticketing. If you’ve paid more than you were led to expect, you may have a legal claim.

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