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Sneaky user interfaces, such as unwanted bundleware default checkboxes are now expanding into digital newspaper subscriptions. The Boston Globe's site uses lightly-colored close buttons and increases the price as the user goes through the sales process, as well as includes some newsletter-signup defaults. These dishonest-by-design interface elements that are intended to trick or obfuscate users are called dark patterns.
What are some of the most egregious examples you have seen? Have you even been asked to implement a design you found morally distasteful?
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Sneaky Sales and Pricing Practices Online
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(Score: 4, Insightful) by Nuke on Tuesday April 26 2016, @09:07AM
FTFA :-
the real price isn’t the $0.99 per week in the banner ad, ....... It’s $6.93 per week ...... Since this price only kicks in after a year, it’s almost impossible for average users to notice, unless they carefully check each and every bank statement.
This is exactly why I do not pay things by Direct Debit, yet people call me old-fashioned for it (it has happened on this forum).
In fact, I check each and every bank statement as well, but even if you discover that someone has been using a DD arrangement to milk your money you are still heading for a long hassle even to stop it (if you ever can), let alone get your money back. As TFA points out, it is far harder to unsubscribe from this Boston Globe than it is to subscribe.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 26 2016, @11:36AM
The bank doesn't send me statements any more - it is available "online".
(Score: 2) by Nuke on Tuesday April 26 2016, @12:12PM
They are still statements.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Webweasel on Tuesday April 26 2016, @01:31PM
Errr... no that's not quite right.
Certainly direct debit has some authorisation issues, anyone who knows you bank account number can setup a direct debit as http://www.theguardian.com/money/2008/jan/07/personalfinancenews.scamsandfraud [theguardian.com]Jeremey Clarkson knows.
However, your wrong about getting your money back. See here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_debit#Guarantee [wikipedia.org]
The Direct Debit Guarantee provides three important safeguards to protect customers:
Immediate refunds. Customers can get a full and immediate refund from their bank or building society in the event of an error in the payment of a Direct Debit.
Advance notice. Customers must be told the amount and date of each payment 10 working days (unless agreed otherwise) in advance.
Instant cancellations. Customers can cancel a Direct Debit at any time
Applys in the UK only though, so YMMV
Priyom.org Number stations, Russian Military radio. "You are a bad, bad man. Do you have any other virtues?"-Runaway1956
(Score: 3, Informative) by pendorbound on Tuesday April 26 2016, @02:30PM
There are far fewer protections on direct debit in the US. In some egregious cases, closing your bank account may not even be enough to stop it as many banks will (helpfully) automatically reopen an account if there's activity on it within 30 days of closing. And charge you overdraft fees for the debits against it after you closed & zeroed it.
(Score: 2) by Scruffy Beard 2 on Tuesday April 26 2016, @04:42PM
In my country (Canada) you can tell your bank to "stop payment". The fee for this is much lower than any overdraft fees.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 26 2016, @06:05PM
> Applys in the UK only though, so YMMV
You really buried the lead there.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Nuke on Wednesday April 27 2016, @12:14PM
Customers can get a full and immediate refund from their bank or building society in the event of an error in the payment of a Direct Debit.
Yes, I keep hearing that. But it does not mean an error in your opinion, it means an error in everyone's agreed opinion, including the merchant's. The merchant in the case being discussed here would not agree that there had been an error, they would claim that you had just changed your mind after buying something. I am in the UK too BTW.
(Score: 3, Informative) by rondon on Tuesday April 26 2016, @02:36PM
Talk to your bank if you get ACH Direct Debits that are not authorized or correct. They should absolutely be on your side, as the laws around ACH are very onerous for banks.
A bank I used to work with dropped several ACH customers during my tenure there because they had to refund customers money. This puts their ACH operations at risk, which makes them very, very mad.
Again, do not in any way deal with the offending party unless you intend to continue doing business with them. Your bank (as long as you aren't talking to a mindless peon, avoid those please) will be immensely more help. If you do need to continue doing business with the offending party, let them know that if they don't fix it immediately you will talk to your bank, who will.
I used to work at a bank in the ACH dept, but I am not an expert. Take my advice with the proper amount of salt.
Oh, and don't use direct debit, it was never implemented for your benefit as a consumer.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 26 2016, @11:12PM
It isn't just direct debits. You can challenge any debits to your account (and, technically, credits too), which includes cash withdrawals, checks and transfers. However, most banks limit their liability to the minimum, which is 30 days after the statement date. I've successfully challenged all sorts of charges.
My favorite was a company that overcharged me and I bounced around on the phone for an hour, so I told the guy to put a note that I would challenge their next with my bank. That was after he told me I'd have to call back the next day at 8 AM to jump through even more hoops with a different department to get it straightened out. So, I hung up, called my bank and challenged it. Next day, the billing department calls me. I told them I was busy and they'd have to call me back between the hours of 1 and 4. Called me back at 12:30, so I told them they were early and put the phone next to the radio for 35 minutes. The person, somewhat exasperated wanted to work out a deal I didn't like, so I said no dice and hung up. Never did see the charge on my bank statement nor hear from them again.