Complaint Review: HD Publishing HDP National Alert Registry

Beware: The National Alert Registry web site is using deceptive practices to get people to unkowningly sign up for a monthly account with monthly payments. First, they ask for a zip code and email address to give you a report without any mention of money. Then, there's a long scrolling list that requires you to complete personal info (email, name, address, phone) below which is a disclaimer saying,
"To setup your access, we require a one time activation fee of $10.00. Terms and Conditions."

Then below that disclaimer is billing info and directly below that is a large, bright yellow flashing button, "Click Here for Instant Access".

Since it's a long list, the user must scroll down to this button. It looks like the button the last step in this process. But nooooo, wait, a ways BELOW the button (which most people won't see due to the placement and flashing button) is a set of Yes/No check boxes defaulted to YES. The text for the check box is,
"Activate my membership to the National Alert Registry. Give me access to detailed reports on the sexual offenders who move into my neighborhood (4.95/mo). More"

So what happens is people sign up for what looks like a $10 fee and start getting charged monthly. They start the monthly charge the day after a person signs up. I didn't catch it for 3 months, and they would not refund my money. I'm out $25 for a one time use of their search engine which did not even provide much information. It's a fraudulant practice that gets them months of unintended memberships from potentially thousands of customers. Since it's a low fee, most people would just cancel. It might take a class action law suit to stop them.

Noshka
broomfield, Colorado
U.S.A.