New report shows crack down on junk fees

$30 million is are being refunded to bank customers in a crackdown on junk fees.

5 On Your Side reports the money is going back to 170,000 people hit with surprise overdraft fees.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has spent months examining junk fees charged by banks, car and mortgage lenders, pay day lenders and more.

The CFPB told 5 On Your Side that scrutiny led to those refunds and other changes.

"Some of the largest banks throughout the country, including ones operating in North Carolina, have started to drop some of these fees all together," said Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra.

"States are already trying to crack down on bad practices by financial firms, but of course, when it comes to hotels, concert tickets, and so much more, these surprise fees when they’re illegal, they need to be shut down," Chopra told 5 On Your Side.

That could include an examination of consumer protection laws and whether they can be strengthened or better enforced to stop junk fees.

"Those complaints have actually led to, not just millions of dollars going back to North Carolina families, but they formed the basis for law enforcement actions that help people all across the country," Chopra explained.