HOW TO SAY ‘NO’ — AND MEAN IT

Tell the company. Then tell it again. It isn’t enough to refuse to pay a fee. You have to let the company know about your decision at the highest level. You can find executive contacts on my consumer advocacy site: elliott.org/company-contacts. If they don’t listen? Stop doing business with the company.

Start a movement. A concerted effort to stop paying a fee or surcharge is far likelier to succeed than a single person taking a stand. Companies faced with pushback from many customers sometimes back down. Try a crowdsourcing platform such as Change.org or a social network such as Care2.com. Tell your representative.

Outrageous fees can be a violation of laws that prevent “unfair and deceptive” practices — and if they aren’t, your elected representative can introduce such a law. Here’s how to contact your congressional representative: house.gov/representatives /find.