US Edition
No More 'Junk Fees'? New Regulations Take Effect in Mass.
Massachusetts mandates upfront disclosure of all fees including mandatory and optional charges, aiming to protect consumers and ensure fair competition under new regulations.
- On Tuesday, Massachusetts enacted a statewide ban on so-called 'junk fees,' with Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell's office ready to enforce the new rules immediately.
- Campbell first proposed the rules in November 2023 and announced them in March, invoking Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act authority for broad consumer protections.
- Under the regulations, businesses must present total prices including mandatory fees before collecting personal data, disclose all charges and cancellation details for subscription services and auto-renewals, and explain added fees' nature and waiver options for businesses operating in Massachusetts.
- To aid compliance, the Attorney General's Office published guidance, a webinar and tips, while consumers in Massachusetts may file complaints online or call the Consumer Hotline at 617-727-8400.
- Because the regulations apply broadly, out-of-state sellers selling into Massachusetts are covered, expanding on federal actions from May and December 2024 to curb junk fees costing households tens of billions annually.
12 Articles
12 Articles
New rules in Mass. crack down on hidden fees — and stir confusion at some restaurants
New regulations against "junk fees" take effect Tuesday in Massachusetts, requiring businesses to display the total price of certain goods and services before customers reach checkout. Here's what they mean for everything from concert tickets to restaurant kitchen fees.
Sentinel and Enterprise
Massachusetts tosses ‘junk fees’ in the bin, will prohibit hidden charges
Bay State residents should now be able to make purchases without worrying about differences in the price they were shown and the cost of the bill. According to Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, Sept. 2 was the day that the state’s newest and “nation-leading” consumer protection rules went into effect, prohibiting the use of “junk fees” by retailers. “From concert tickets and hotel bookings, to subscription services and apartment rentals – su…
Gloucester Daily Times
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly'Historic' new junk fee regulations take effect
BOSTON — Starting Tuesday, Attorney General Andrea Campbell's office began enforcing broad new state regulations that require companies doing business here to be upfront about true costs of their product or service and to make it easier for customers to…
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