Ask HN: What is up with the rise in dark/fraudulent patterns?

I just noticed a large charge from Squarespace months after I canceled the use of their service. It reminded of the fact that companies seem to be doing things like this a lot more often. Can it really be the new standard of improving margins by having a big brand name, fraudulently charging people, and hoping a percentage of them just don't notice?

Would it be possible to get an organized and automated effort against this? Like a reporting system that you can report this stuff too every time this occurs, and that will automatically file a report with the appropriate financial and legal authorities?

I just feel like not only is fraud always fraud regardless of who is doing it. But, that a large company with extensive infrastructure, people, and experience should be held to an even higher standard than an individual with no accounting experience. Sometimes it feels like the exact opposite is more of a reality.