[siphor]

Might fit under fraud. I hope it does. When I first learned of this tactic, I felt tricked. I assumed with a tip, that I was boosting someone’s salary for a job well done. I’m sure it’s debatable, and that my assumption was wrong? But I imagine most people feel this what a tip is.

Fraud n. the intentional use of deceit, a trick or some dishonest means to deprive another of his/her/its money, property or a legal right.

[panda888888]

It's explicitly illegal under Washington State law:

RCW 49.46.020 section 3:

"Tips and service charges paid to an employee are in addition to, and may not count towards, the employee's hourly minimum wage."

[nshepperd]

It's absolutely defrauding the customer, in addition to whatever laws there might be specifically about wages. They're asking you for money with a description of what the money is for that is between misleading and an outright lie. That's fraud.