Deceptive Patterns
‹ All enforcement USA

In the Matter of UrthBox, Inc.

Jurisdiction
USA
Authority
Federal Trade Commission
Date
17 May 2019
Case number
Docket No. C-4676
Outcome
$184,000 in fines

Case summary

UrthBox engaged in offering a supposedly "free" trial without adequately disclosing hidden subscription charges and misrepresenting consumer reviews as independent.

Our analysis

Outcome

UrthBox is prohibited from engaging in similar conduct and is obliged to pay $100,000 to the FTC. Furthermore, in December 2019, the FTC refunded over $84,000 to compensate consumers who were charged after signing up for the trial offer.

Parties

Federal Trade Commission and UrthBox, Inc.

View the decision

Related deceptive patterns

Fake social proof ›The user is misled into believing a product is more popular or credible than it really is, because they were shown fake reviews, testimonials, or activity messages.Hidden subscription ›The user is unknowingly enrolled in a recurring subscription or payment plan without clear disclosure or their explicit consent.

Related rules

Federal Trade Commission Act - Section 5(a), 15 U.S.C. § 45(a) ›Prohibits deceptive acts or practices that misrepresent or omit material facts.ROSCA - Section 4, 15 U.S.C. § 8403 ›Requires companies to obtain consumer's consent before charging their credit or debit cards for goods or services offered through a "negative option feature."