Unlawful Fees

PACER Court Document Fees Settlement

The United States government is the defendant settling this class action for $125 million. It offers a service called Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) that allows public access to documents filed in US courts. The complaint alleged that PACER was charging users more than necessary to cover the costs of providing the service  Read more

Howard Law Up-Front Fees and Telemarketing Settlement

This resolves a case brought against Vincent Howard, Lawrence Williamson, Howard Law, PC, Williamson Law Firm, LLC, and Williamson & Howard, LLP by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CPFB). The complaint alleged that the defendants charged illegal up-front fees for debt relief services and did not describe their services accurately, in violation of the Telemarketing  Read more

CFLA Illegal Fees Settlement

This resolves a lawsuit against Certified Forensic Loan Auditors, LLC, Certified Forensic Loan Auditors, LLC (TX) and two individuals that was brought by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) a government agency designed to protect consumers. The complaint alleged that CFLA charged illegal advance fees for mortgage-assistance relief and for financial advisory services, in violation  Read more

University of California Late Fee Settlement

The Regents of the University of California are paying more than $1.5 million to settle claims and additional amounts for attorneys’ fees, expenses, and settlement administration to resolve a class action alleging the late fees UC charged for late payments of housing and enrollment payments are not lawful under California law.  Read more

City of Ocala, Florida Illegal Fire Service Fee Settlement

The City of Ocala, Florida is settling a class action alleging that a fire service fee charged to utility customers with their utility bills was an illegal tax and not a user fee. The complaint alleged that the fire service fee was a tax because the bundling with water, sewer, and electric charges was coercive  Read more

St. Louis County Failure to Appear Fee Settlement

St. Louis County is settling a class action alleging it improperly charged defendants in municipal court a failure to appear (FTA) fee or warrant fee. The fee was the amount charged by the county for defendants who failed to appear in a municipal court case, which was normally $75.  Read more

StubHub Display of Ticket Fees California Settlement

StubHub, Inc. is settling a California class action alleging that its way of displaying ticket fees charged to customers violated California consumer protection laws. The complaint alleged that showing the fees for the first time at the end of the purchase process—that is, at checkout—violated sections of the California Business and Professions Code and the  Read more

Gregory Funding Payoff Statement Fees Not Yet Incurred Class Action

This class action concerns the kinds of fees mortgage servicers are permitted to add to payoff statements, and how those fees may be figured. The complaint sues Gregory Funding, LLC for two fees added to its payoff statement, alleging that the wire fee should not have been added and that the reconveyance fee is excessive.  Read more

FPI Management Screening Fee Washington Settlement

A $1,600,000 settlement fund will be posted by FPI Management, Inc. to settle a class action alleging that it charged applicants tenant screening fees without first giving them the required disclosures. The complaint also alleged that FPI charged a holding fee on apartments before unconditionally offering them to prospective tenants, in violation of Washington state  Read more

Caliber Home Loans Pay-to-Pay Fee Settlement

Caliber Home Loans, Inc. is settling three class actions alleging it charges borrowers pay-to-pay fees to make mortgage payments. The complaint alleged the company charged borrowers fees to make online, telephone, or IVR payments, and that this violates the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and breaches borrowers’ loan agreements.  Read more