Hidden fees: When that great deal isn’t that great

Hidden fees: When that great deal isn't that great

Hey! Adding a new phone only costs $40 per month. And surprise, that wasn't the whole story because the phone itself costs $500.

Hidden fees. Unexplained charges. These add up to billions in costs to consumers every year.

According to a Consumer Reports survey, about 59 percent of people have been charged hidden fees.

Luckily, for consumers who did complain of hidden fees, two-thirds got a refund.

Here are the top offenders in hidden fees and the percentage of people surveyed who reported them, according to Consumer Reports:

– Telecommunication providers (69 percent)

– Live entertainment and sporting events (44 percent)

– Credit cards (36 percent)

– Car purchases (34 percent)

– Hotel (34 percent)

– Air travel (31 percent)

– Car rental (31 percent)