TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced Monday a coordinated effort to reduce and eliminate so-called “junk fees” in New Jersey, launching a statewide review of hidden charges that can increase the cost of goods and services for consumers.
The initiative includes Executive Order 19, signed by Sherrill, directing state agencies to review the industries they regulate, identify the prevalence of junk fees and recommend legislative or regulatory actions to reduce or eliminate them.
At the same time, Davenport and the Division of Consumer Affairs issued an enforcement statement outlining how certain junk-fee practices may violate New Jersey consumer protection laws and launched a public awareness campaign encouraging residents to report such fees.
“New Jersey consumers deserve transparency and costs that aren’t loaded with hidden fees,” said Governor Sherrill. “These ‘junk’ fees fuel the affordability crisis for families and undermine confidence in the prices they see advertised. This Executive Order will help us tackle junk fees, strengthen consumer protections, and promote greater price transparency. As we continue working to make New Jersey more affordable, we are committed to ensuring that consumers can make informed decisions and pay the price they were promised.”
“Hidden and worthless junk fees are increasing costs for families, and we are putting New Jersey businesses on notice that we won’t hesitate to act when we see them,” said Attorney General Davenport. “Working families are tired of being exploited by businesses hiding the true cost of goods and services, and we’ve seen junk fees turn everyday purchases into unaffordable and opaque traps. We are stepping up to crack down on junk fees, and we’re calling on anyone who has experienced a junk fee in New Jersey to share their experiences with us.”
Under the executive order, state agencies must submit findings to the Governor’s Office by Sept. 14. Agencies are tasked with assessing the impact of junk fees on consumers, proposing regulations to curb or eliminate them, recommending measures to improve price transparency and suggesting other actions to address the issue.
The Division of Consumer Affairs’ enforcement statement highlights several practices that may violate the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, including advertising prices that exclude mandatory fees, hiding charges in fine print, misrepresenting whether fees are required and using vague descriptions for excessive or unnecessary charges.
“The Consumer Fraud Act is one of the strongest consumer protection laws in the nation and is uniquely equipped to protect New Jerseyans from the trickery and manipulation that often accompany junk fees,” said Jeremy Hollander, acting director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “We urge businesses to review the Division’s Enforcement Statement on the Division’s website and correct any practices that violate the CFA before facing enforcement action.”
The administration also launched a “Fight the Fees” consumer education campaign that includes online resources, informational materials and a process for consumers to report suspected junk fees.
The initiative builds on recent state actions addressing hidden fees, including guidance issued to hotels and short-term rental providers ahead of the FIFA World Cup, enforcement of a new state law capping rental application fees and legal action against lenders accused of imposing excessive hidden charges.
Supporters of the initiative said hidden fees contribute to rising costs for consumers across a variety of industries, including housing, financial services and travel.
Information about reporting junk fees and educational materials are available through the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.
