Senator Angela Alsobrooks says working families already struggling with rising living costs should not be hit with additional “junk fees” just for trying to pay their bills.
The Maryland Democrat has filed a joint resolution of disapproval aimed at restoring Consumer Financial Protection Bureau protections against so-called “convenience fees” charged by debt collectors and payment processors.
“Adding these surprise pay-to-play fees to bills are useless and unnecessary,” Alsobrooks said in remarks delivered on the Senate floor. “Especially in a time when American families are struggling with a growing affordability crisis.”
The senator’s proposal seeks to reverse a move by the current administration to withdraw CFPB guidance that clarified debt collectors could not legally charge extra fees simply because a consumer chose a particular payment method.
Alsobrooks argued the rollback sends the wrong message to debt collectors and other companies seeking to profit from financially vulnerable Americans.
“This administration has chosen the side of making things harder for American consumers,” she said. “This rescission of this guidance signals to bad actors that they may have leeway to charge convenience fees without fear of facing any real consequences.”
The CFPB previously issued guidance under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act explicitly prohibiting debt collectors from charging additional “pay-to-play” fees for certain payment methods.
Alsobrooks said those protections are especially important as more Americans struggle with inflation, housing costs, grocery prices, and mounting debt burdens.
“During my time here in the Senate, I’ve worked to lower costs and fought to make everything from housing to groceries more affordable for Marylanders,” she said.
The senator also highlighted the scale of consumer complaints tied to debt collection practices in her home state, noting that Maryland residents have filed nearly 24,000 complaints with the CFPB regarding debt collection issues.
Consumer advocates have long criticized convenience fees as predatory, arguing they disproportionately impact low-income households already struggling to stay afloat financially. Critics say such charges can effectively punish consumers for paying bills electronically, over the phone, or through expedited systems.
Alsobrooks framed the issue as part of a broader fight for economic fairness and accountability.
“Senate Democrats and the CFPB have been committed to protecting working families,” she said. “Fighting these unlawful fees is another step to making life fairer for all of them.”
The move comes amid growing scrutiny over so-called junk fees across industries ranging from banking and credit cards to airline tickets, ticket sales, and utility payments. Federal regulators and lawmakers in recent years have increasingly targeted hidden or surprise charges that drive up costs for consumers.
Alsobrooks urged fellow lawmakers to support the resolution, warning that without stronger enforcement and clearer protections, financially strained Americans could face even more burdens when simply attempting to pay what they owe.
