Is that free trial a subscription trap?
Subscription traps — also called 'negative option marketing' — offer a compelling free trial for a product (skincare, dietary supplements, weight-loss aids, streaming services, software) with an extremely small upfront charge: 'just pay shipping'. The user agrees to terms they haven't read, and after the trial ends, recurring charges of $80–$200 per month begin on the card used for shipping.
Cancellation is deliberately made difficult: phone lines with long hold times, cancellation portals that don't work, and customer service scripts designed to offer alternatives rather than confirm cancellation. Some operations bill from multiple company names, making it harder to identify charges on bank statements.
This is distinct from straightforward fraud — many subscription traps are technically legal because the terms are disclosed, just in very small print or buried deep in the sign-up flow. It is, however, a deceptive commercial practice, and many operators have faced regulatory action.
🚩 Red flags to watch for
- ▶A 'free' product that only requires payment for shipping — the full price appears in fine print if you scroll far down.
- ▶The trial period is very short (7–14 days) and charges begin automatically if you don't cancel in time.
- ▶Terms and conditions are lengthy, dense, and not summarised in plain language.
- ▶No clear, simple cancellation instructions are provided upfront.
- ▶The company has multiple one-star reviews on Trustpilot or Google specifically mentioning difficulty cancelling.
- ▶You're asked for credit card details for a product advertised as 'free'.
✅ What to do
- 1Before entering card details for any 'free' trial, search the product/company name plus 'cancel' or 'subscription' and read recent reviews.
- 2Set a calendar reminder for the day before the trial ends.
- 3Use a virtual credit card or a card with a low limit for trial sign-ups — this limits exposure to unexpected charges.
- 4If you've been charged unexpectedly: contact your bank about a chargeback for 'goods not as described'. Initiate a cancellation in writing (email) to create a paper trail.
- 5Report to the FTC (US) or Citizens Advice / Trading Standards (UK) if the company is making cancellation deliberately impossible.
📣 Where to report (by country)
🇺🇸 United States
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Action Fraud
- Police Scotland — call 101
🇦🇺 Australia
🇨🇦 Canada
🌍 Everywhere else
- Contact your local police and your bank immediately
- If money was sent, ask your bank about a recall request — act within hours
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Common questions
The website says I can cancel 'anytime'. What does that actually mean?
'Cancel anytime' means you can cancel — but it does not mean cancellation is easy, instant, or that you won't be charged for a full billing period. Always read specifically how to cancel and what happens to any charges already processed.
I've been charged for months without realising. Can I get any money back?
Potentially yes. Contact your bank and raise a chargeback for the most recent charge, citing that you attempted to cancel and were unable to. Success rates vary. File a complaint with the FTC (US) or Consumer Rights reporting service in your country — documented complaints increase the chance of regulatory investigation.