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When you’re online, some companies try to trick you into buying things you don’t want. Or into giving them permission to use your personal information. The use of these deceptive designs, known as dark patterns, is on the rise, according to a new report from the FTC. So, what do these dark patterns look like — and how do they take your money and your data?
Companies deploy a variety of dark patterns. Here are a few examples:
To learn more about these tactics and what the FTC is doing to protect you, check out the report, Bringing Dark Patterns to Light.
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It is about time! Thank you!
Can these company’s or websites be reported to the FTC?
In reply to Can these company's or… by casey
Report fraud, scams, and bad business practices to the FTC at www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The information you gives goes into a secure database the FTC and other law enforcement agencies use for investigations.
We need more protections and the ads should be stopped because they cause us to lose data and we can’t stop them but you can. Thank you for what you do.
Clicked on a “find out more” logo which brought up a filled-in order form for three of the items in question, already billed to PayPal. All efforts to reduce/discard order were fruitless. Billed for almost $100, no refunds, PayPal worthless in trying to get order cancelled. Many steps later finally got a 2/3 refund even though I had sent back entire order. Super strong toenail clippers. BEWARE!
Amazon
HOW do I register or file a complaint regarding a pending charge to my banking act. for a product (or service) that I have NEVER authorized??
In reply to HOW do I register or file a… by W.R. Casebolt
You can contact your bank and report scams, fraud, and bad business practices to the FTC at www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The information you give goes into a secure database that the FTC and other law enforcement agencies use for investigations.
In reply to You can contact your bank… by FTC Staff
website does not work all the time!!
In reply to HOW do I register or file a… by W.R. Casebolt
Have you tried calling the bank? They will respond.
So what are the names of these companies so we can avoid dealing with them?
It’s about time the government is doing something about all these misleading ADs you keep seeing on TV…
I would like to see more done about companies and manipulation. Especially crypto platforms and manipulating our transaction documents. I have printed hundred of documents this year. They are all different. They all seem to change to only benefit themselves. I don’t know who else to send this info too. But nothing is being done about it. It needs to stop for the integrity of our system. I feel like our markets have little to no integrity these days especially the brokers. What a conflict of interest if anything when these companies ban me from their platform without an answer to a formal complaint. These unregulated companies should at least be held accountable to bad business practice.
Thanx for the info. Keep them coming
Thanks for the tips you offer to consumers like me.
I have noticed that when they are offering something for free or a free trial period, they want your credit card number. Like you said then they start charging your card and you have a problem getting it canceled and your money back. I think if it is a free service or free period, they should not be allowed to have your credit card number till you see if you want it. I also hate it when they say its free and you go to the trouble of entering all your shipping info and then they say there is a charge. If it says free it should be free or tell you that there is a charge.
I wish the FTC protected consumers. I’ve had multiple issues from a company ( as other people have too) and nothing has been done. The owner is taking his money and buying expensive houses and cars after ripping us all off!
In reply to I wish the FTC protected… by Stacey Hattendorf
Please report scams, fraud, and bad business practices to the FTC at www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The information you give goes into a secure database that the FTC and other law enforcement agencies use for investigations.
In reply to I wish the FTC protected… by Stacey Hattendorf
Stacey,
“I wish the FTC protected consumers.”
This is why the FTC exists – to protect consumers.
Consumers have to report with documentation in order for the FTC to “protect” us.
Did everyone report this guy? To the FTC? To the FBI? To the local police, even? I doubt it very much. Perhaps a few. The FTC needs to see the issue as big before they can dedicate costly resources (including the time to scour 1 single complaint verses hundreds of complaints. A single complaint is hard to take seriously because it could just be a consumer with sour grapes over a purchase or “buyers remorse.” Multiple reports triggers the FTC to take time to investigate.
I am so afraid anymore that I never buy anything online. It took forever but I even got rid of my Amazon account.
I’ve seen all these scamming patterns before, but sometimes one forgets when distracted. Thank you for reminding by reviewing this again.
Right at this moment I’m being told my package delivered from Shein. It has not.
This was a great article. It took me 2days to read it, but it was well worth it. Thanks so much.
Thanks for the update.
I want to know how to file report for this. I fell victim if you call it that to Invent help. But he smoothed it out so goos never explained I couldnt get my money back. That was never mentioned. I told him my situation and he was lije just do this much to start to get started and in this many months. I’ll see where you are and maybe I can start paying a little more. But my situation got worse. I been trying to get my money back ever since and he wont give it to me. So how can I get it back.
The reportfraud.ftc.gov website does not always work. Messages come back saying your message cannot be accepted!!
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