The 5 Most Outrageous Examples of Hidden Charges Companies Pass Off on Consumers --

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/vision/153769/the_5_most_outrageous_examples_of_hidden_charges_companies_pass_off_on_consumers_--_and_how_to_fight_back/

The 5 Most Outrageous Examples of Hidden Charges Companies Pass Off on Consumers -- And How to Fight Back

It seems like consumers are being squeezed from every angle these days. Our grocery bills are getting larger and other expenses going through the roof at the same time that many of us are losing jobs and having to downsize.

The Occupy Wall Street movement has helped spur a national dialogue about the financial sector’s role in the erosion of the U.S. middle class. But Wall Street mega banks aren’t the only corporations that have swindled American citizens; many of the companies we rely on for our food, transportation, and communication needs are also treating consumers unfairly by saddling them with a plethora of hidden fees and surcharges.

In 2006, the average U.S. adult paid $942 each year in hidden fees, according to research conducted by the Ponemon Institute. Six years later, it’s unlikely that this number has gone down. If anything, industries that took a financial hit during the recession are passing more fees onto consumers than ever, regardless of whether they’ve recovered.

A comprehensive list of the sneaky fees companies palm off on consumers could go on forever, but here are five particularly egregious examples that every consumer should be aware of – followed by a list of ideas for fighting back.

[JNelson6563]

1. Great article, offers ideas on how to take action.

While anyone can write about what's wrong with just about anything these days, I find this article exceptional in that it offers hope (citing examples of how some of their suggestions have worked in the past) and how to make a difference.

Great stuff!

Julie--who took action many months ago by canceling cable TV completely

[EC]

2. Making us pump our own gas,

check out our own merchandize is also charging us the "fee" of becoming unpaid employees.

[xchrom]

3. i like the way you think. nt

[DirkGently]

4. Good examples of how the "free market" grants the freedom to deceive, gouge & monopolize.

[provis99]

5. some of these are flat-out theft.

if a cell phone company is charging you for a service they aren't providing, that is theft, and the CEOs should go to prison for stealing from you.