Really? I think they're saying the cheap design itself is doing the 'tricking', not Verizon or Moto. Which seems fairly accurate.
Instead of 'tricks' they should have used 'causes' or 'results in', or some other phrase that does not imply a negative intention in the design. It's just bad design.
I assumed they were being facetious.
I doubt it - Consumerist is very good at manufacturing outrage, even for minor, accidental transgressions. They're also very good at playing the oppressed consumer card.