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553 points bookofjoe | 21 comments | | HN request time: 0s | source | bottom
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55555 ◴[] No.43661106[source]
Adobe runs what must be one of the largest deceptive rebills. The vast majority of users signing up for a monthly plan do not realize that it is actually an "annual plan, billed monthly" and thus that if they cancel after one month (for example) they'll be billed for the remaining 11 immediately. I honestly don't know how they haven't faced FTC action for this, as it's been their primary model for 5-10 years now.
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devsda ◴[] No.43662187[source]
> actually an "annual plan, billed monthly" and thus that if they cancel after one month (for example) they'll be billed for the remaining 11 immediately

I don't know if this is a recent policy change, but it is not the complete amount but only 50% of the remaining annual amount as per their website[1].

If it were something involving physical goods or services I can understand, but 50% penalty is still a crazy amount for a hosted software service.

1. https://www.adobe.com/legal/subscription-terms.html

replies(1): >>43662620 #
r33b33 ◴[] No.43662620[source]
That's why you always use throwaway cards for this.
replies(3): >>43662646 #>>43663301 #>>43664741 #
reisse ◴[] No.43663301[source]
Of course it's highly unlikely they'll go in court for a single user, but if everyone starts doing this, they'll sue. It doesn't matter the payment failed, you still legally owe Adobe (or any other service) money.
replies(6): >>43663314 #>>43663619 #>>43664105 #>>43668372 #>>43670485 #>>43672573 #
1. connicpu ◴[] No.43664105[source]
Reverse class action isn't a thing, there's no way to sue thousands of people all at once, so they'd have to bring their suit against every individual who did it. Costs would be guaranteed to be much higher than any possible recovery.
replies(1): >>43664614 #
2. baby_souffle ◴[] No.43664614[source]
Why would they sue? Just send it to collections and let them sort it out?
replies(2): >>43664762 #>>43666221 #
3. notpushkin ◴[] No.43664762[source]
Good luck finding Asfghjs Fghdjsk using only his email address, fdsfgsd@tempemail.test.
replies(1): >>43664875 #
4. throwaway48476 ◴[] No.43664875{3}[source]
They use the billing address. KYC makes it easy.
replies(1): >>43665423 #
5. pizzaplatinum ◴[] No.43665423{4}[source]
Good luck finding Zyyzzyzx Balleyhew whose address on the temporary card is registered at PO Box 42069, Utqiagvik, AK
replies(1): >>43665763 #
6. lukan ◴[] No.43665763{5}[source]
And you can just get a card with a fake adress?
replies(4): >>43666046 #>>43667674 #>>43674851 #>>43678940 #
7. hnuser123456 ◴[] No.43666046{6}[source]
https://support.google.com/googlepay/answer/11234179?hl=en&c...
replies(1): >>43666529 #
8. jrockway ◴[] No.43666221[source]
Collections rarely does anything. I mean they will nag you, but you ask them to only contact you in writing, and it basically goes away. The collection agency could sue you, but it's rare. It involves putting together a realistic case (we are sure this person signed this contract and owes us $X) and that is expensive.

The billing your credit card 50% is a "well we tried" type thing. They're happy if it works out, but not unhappy if it doesn't.

replies(1): >>43666491 #
9. nrb ◴[] No.43666491{3}[source]
In the US, a collection on your credit report can tank your FICO score by more than 100 points, affecting your ability to borrow at the best rate, rent a home, or get certain jobs. This would be a very risky move if the purchase was made in such a way that you are personally liable.
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10. ceejayoz ◴[] No.43666529{7}[source]
Those don’t have a fake address. You still have to put the right name and billing to pass verification.

A prepaid Visa/MC/Amex gift card might work, but those are easily blockable. I’d expect Adobe to do so.

replies(1): >>43667699 #
11. notpushkin ◴[] No.43667674{6}[source]
No, but you can type in any fake address in your zipcode. (Or – if your card is from outside US – you can type in a completely random address and generally it will work.)
12. notpushkin ◴[] No.43667699{8}[source]
I mean, that’s one way of getting users to pirate your software and hate you at the same time.
13. askonomm ◴[] No.43667930{4}[source]
And in Europe collection means all of your bank accounts get frozen and in some countries they even have the power to direct your salary from your employer straight to them until the debt is paid. You definitely don't want to end up in this situation.
14. h2zizzle ◴[] No.43668193{4}[source]
Depending on who you're talking to, none of those are realistic prospects anyway. Your borrowing rate will be crap, no matter what, because of your age/credit history/place of residence/skin color (and, if you really need funding, you turn to the BNPL shadow lenders or GFM); you will never earn enough to rent an entire home, or an apartment with a corporate landlord; none of those jobs will ever even look at your resume.

We are reaching a critical mass of people who have no buy-in to these structures because they've been previously cut out.

15. willcipriano ◴[] No.43668758{4}[source]
I've never heard of someone without your social security number having the ability to do anything to your credit.
replies(3): >>43672387 #>>43692273 #>>43698853 #
16. jrockway ◴[] No.43672387{5}[source]
This has been my experience as well. I was involved with some payment dispute with the New York Times many years ago. I switched from credit card to Apple Pay and they sent my account to collections. I took no action on this because it was in error and my credit score was 830 before and 830 after. The only thing that's ever had an impact on my credit score was buying a house; went down to 800 after that.

It was an error on their part so take that as you will, but... scary letter != inability to borrow money.

(And just for the record, I no longer subscribe to that rag.)

17. MrDrMcCoy ◴[] No.43674851{6}[source]
No need. You can use services like privacy.com, whose generated cards will accept any address. Just pick a random valid one that you aren't connected to. Picking the address of a public park or library in another city can appease address verification checks.
18. fasd1412 ◴[] No.43678940{6}[source]
Payment don't really check if address matches, they don't even check if account name matches with credit card name.
19. Suppafly ◴[] No.43683038{4}[source]
>In the US, a collection on your credit report can tank your FICO score by more than 100 points

True, and it sucks, but you can also keep contesting it. I got a few random things off my credit by using the tools provided by the credit agencies to contest them.

20. revicon ◴[] No.43692273{5}[source]
A collection agency has no problem finding your SSN if they have your name.
21. nrb ◴[] No.43698853{5}[source]
Straight from the credit reporting agency: https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/accounts-may-be-...

A rather famous example of this is when Columbia House sold off accounts from their scammy operation to a debt collection agency, with many folks unaware that the company claimed they owed money.