Sneaking
The user is drawn into a transaction on false pretences, because pertinent information is hidden or delayed from being presented to them.
Definition
Sneaking involves intentionally withholding or obscuring information that is relevant to the user (e.g. additional costs or unwanted consequences), often in order to manipulate them into taking an action they would not otherwise choose.
Example
In 2015, UK sports retailer sportsdirect.com was found to be sneaking an unwanted magazine subscription into users' shopping baskets during the checkout process. The magazine cost an extra £1, and was added without users' explicit consent or knowledge. If users noticed it, they had to actively remove it from their basket if they did not wish to purchase it.
1 / 218 examples in the hall of shame
References
Sneak into basket (Brignull, 2010), bait and switch (Brignull, 2010), hidden costs (Brignull, 2010, Mathur et al., 2019), hidden legalese stipulations (Bösch et al, 2016), hidden subscription (Mathur et al., 2019), Drip pricing (FTC, 2022).