Want to Play Hide and Fee – FTC Says No?

Written by James Sanders

The FTC’s recent StubHub settlement is a reminder that “junk fee” enforcement is no longer just a concern for large online platforms. On April 9, 2026, the FTC announced a settlement requiring StubHub to pay $10 million in consumer refunds after alleging they advertised ticket prices without clearly disclosing the total price (i.e., not showing the add on fees during the initial pricing advertised on its website). The practical lesson for businesses is straightforward: if a customer cannot readily determine the real price before getting deep into checkout, regulators may view that pricing structure as deceptive.

For local and regional businesses, this is a good time to review websites, invoices, engagement letters, service agreements, and point-of-sale disclosures. Processing fees, service charges, delivery fees, convenience fees, administrative charges, and other mandatory add-ons should be disclosed clearly, early, and prominently. The safest practice is to show the total price up front, explain any optional charges separately, and avoid surprising customers at the end of the transaction.

No more playing hide and fee!  The FTC doesn’t let companies have any fun.