RevTrak Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Hidden Fees for School Payments

A class action lawsuit filed on February 25, 2026, alleges that RevTrak, a major K-12 payment processor, is deceptively charging parents and guardians undisclosed “software admin fees” on school-related purchases. The lawsuit claims this practice constitutes an unlawful credit/debit surcharge, violating consumer protection laws in Illinois and Minnesota.

What are the Allegations Against RevTrak?

The lawsuit, Bradley v. RevTrak, Inc. (Case No. 3:26cv3066), contends that RevTrak fails to transparently disclose these fees until the very conclude of the checkout process – a point where parents have limited ability to abandon the transaction without forfeiting the school service they are trying to purchase, such as lunch, field trip registration, or yearbooks. This tactic is described as a “drip-pricing scheme” by the complaint, mirroring a practice the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines as obscuring the final price until the point of purchase.

How Does the “Software Admin Fee” Perform?

The complaint details two methods RevTrak uses to implement the fee: a flat rate or a percentage of the total transaction. The lawsuit argues both methods are unfair to consumers. The suit alleges that the percentage-based fee can exceed the limits set by major credit card companies (Visa, Discover, American Express and Mastercard) for surcharges. Even the flat-rate fee, such as the $2 fee cited in one Illinois school district, disproportionately impacts low-income parents who make smaller, more frequent payments.

Why is This Considered Deceptive?

The lawsuit asserts that RevTrak presents the fee as covering software maintenance costs, when in reality, it’s primarily a profit mechanism and a way to cover credit and debit card processing fees. Merchants typically pay around 3.99% to process credit and debit card transactions, and RevTrak allegedly uses the software admin fee to offset these costs and generate additional profit. Because credit and debit card surcharges are heavily regulated and require upfront disclosure, the timing of RevTrak’s fee disclosure is central to the allegations of deception.

Who is Affected?

The proposed class action seeks to represent all individuals in the United States who have a RevTrak account and have paid a software admin fee. RevTrak operates in over 1,300 school districts nationwide and is often the sole payment option available to parents and guardians.

What’s Next?

The case is ongoing. Individuals interested in learning more about the lawsuit or potential class action settlements can visit ClassAction.org for updates and information.