Online

Installment Plan

A payment method that allows you to pay for purchases over time by dividing the purchase amount into smaller equal payments. Also known as Buy Now Pay Later plans

Browser Extension

A software application that adds capacity or functionality to your web browser

Hidden Fees

Additional charges added on to the cost of a good or service that a consumer may not necessarily be aware of at the time of purchase

Roach Motel

Allows you to get into a situation very easily (like signing up for a subscription or getting product emails) but then you find it is hard to cancel or get out of it

2-Factor Authentication (2FA)

An extra layer of security that requires a user to provide two pieces of information to access an account

Comparison Shopping

Comparing various factors for a product or service before making a purchasing decision

Gamification

The use of game design elements to get you to spend more time and money on a service

Sneak Into Basket

When a website sneaks an additional item into your basket somewhere in the online purchasing journey, often through the use of an opt-out button or checkbox on a prior webpage

Misdirection

When a website's design purposefully focuses your attention on one thing in order to distract your attention from another

Data Breach

When the security system for a company fails and personal information is vulnerable to hackers

Forced Continuity

When your free trial with a service comes to an end and your account begins to be charged without any warning