Hacker News Reader

No, they aren't fake accounts, they're real accounts, inflicted on customers against their will and without their knowledge, and they come with real damage.

View on HN

I'm similarly fascinated by the use of the passive voice when they are describing Wells Fargo committing more crimes. Imagine if the crime was committed upon them instead: "Bank robber uncovers that he robbed bank for more money than originally admitted."

That's not passive voice.

Something like passive voice was used in that comment.

Yeah, that's not passive voice, which in this context would be something like "the money was robbed from the bank," but you might be interested in the "past exonerative tense":

1. https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/an-interactive-guide-to-...

2. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2014/07/14/...

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistakes_were_made

Generally, this form of English can only be used by certain segments of business and society.

fraud accounts

Reply on news.ycombinator.com