Sneaky Fee Philosophy

Sneaky fees are by no means new. A study two years ago found that American consumers, on average, in cloaked costs every year. Now, with the mangled state of the economy heralding hard times ahead, corporations are have even more reason to try to bump up the price of their goods by subtly tacking on a few cents here and there for various nominal services and extras. "Companies are struggling with this new economic environment in the last 12 months," says Bob Sullivan, author of Gotcha Capitalism and columnist of MSNBC's . "They'll really be willing to do anything to survive."

Finding Your Fees

We've long heard about hidden fees in things like phone bills. ""? There's nothing federal about it--that one goes straight into the phone company's coffers, as does the "Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge" on your cell phone service statement. But newer costs are popping up in technology right now, and they may be affecting you in ways you're unaware of.

1. Shipping Surcharge