Have You Been Paying Cox Hidden Fees?

If you are a Cox Communications customer and are confused about why you are paying more than you anticipated for your services, you may have been hit with Cox hidden fees. Many consumers feel that they are increasingly being duped by hidden fees.

Reportedly, businesses in many industries use hidden fees, or “drip pricing” to lure customers into making a purchase, then socking the customer with a bevy of unexpected fees. Cox Communications may be one such company, possibly advertising one price for internet and TV services, then charging fees that raise the total price much higher. 

What are Hidden Fees?

Hidden fees are fees that are changed on top of the advertised price for a service or product. These fees may be under-emphasized in advertising, or they may not be disclosed at all. They can take customers by surprise and can cause a large financial strain.

Consumer Reports explains that the problem is a common one — 85 percent of 2,057 Americans recently surveyed say they have been charged a hidden fee or an unexpected charge in the last two years.

The cable and internet industry employs this technique and companies such as Cox may be part of that trend. According to Consumer Reports, the cable industry makes around $450 per customer per year from hidden or additional fees tacked onto the advertised price of service. This means that the industry as a whole could be profiting some $28 billion annually from these fees. 

Vice.com reports that 24 percent of consumers’ cable bills are “sneaky fees, many of which have no actual purpose outside of making your cable provider richer.”

What are the Cox Hidden Fees?

Cox may charge many confusing fees. These can be one-time charges when you sign up for service, or can recurring monthly fees. As Cox offers TV, Internet, home security, and other services, the fees may get convoluted.

The one-time fees may include a TV activation charge or an installation fee. Monthly fees may include charges for bundles of services, like the regional sports surcharge, or TV packs. Other monthly fees may include a broadcast surcharge, a CableCARD fee, or an HD receiver fee.

In some cases, Cox hidden fees may be charged on an annual basis, like an FCC regulatory fee, a Cable TV franchise fee, or a public access fee. 

Does Cox Face Criticism Over Its Fees?

With this many fees, consumers may wonder what the advertised price even covers. Critics of hidden fees and drip pricing may argue that many of the hidden fees passed to consumers are things that the company should cover as part of running a business and that the charges should be factored into the advertised price. Critics argue that if consumers knew the true, higher price of a service, they would be better able to comparison shop, something cable and internet providers may not want.

Consumers have taken action against companies like Cox, particularly in the form of lawsuits. Cox’s purported hidden fees may not be the only way the company has sought to attract new customers. In 2018, Cox faced a lawsuit claiming that the company falsely advertised its internet speeds.

Join a Free Cox Internet & Hidden Fees Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you believe one or more of the allegations described in the class action complaint apply to your experience as a Cox customer, of if you believe you may have been charged fees and surcharges that were not properly disclosed or explained, you may have potential claims against Cox too.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.