Who: The FTC tracks free trial and subscription scams.
When to use: Use when you were charged without clear consent or could not cancel.
What to prepare:
- Company name
- Dates and amounts
- What you tried
FTC ReportFraud~5 min
Category: Online & communication
Free trial & recurring billing scam
Important
Before signing up for a free trial, find the cancellation policy and how to cancel. Many trials auto-renew and make unsubscribing difficult.
How it often plays out
You sign up for a "free trial" with just your card "for verification." Soon you notice a charge every month. When you try to cancel, the link is buried, the form never submits, or a rep keeps putting you on hold. Some sites hide the terms in tiny print or make unsubscribing nearly impossible. What started as a trial has turned into a recurring charge you never clearly agreed to—and the company is counting on you giving up before you get it stopped.
How to spot it
Common red flags: pressure to act immediately, requests for payment by gift card or wire, offers that seem too good to be true, or unsolicited requests for your personal or financial details.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Read the terms and cancellation policy before signing up.
- Cancel through the service and keep proof (screenshots, emails).
- Dispute unauthorized charges with your bank or card issuer and report to the FTC.
Don't
- Give your card "just for verification" without checking how to cancel.
- Assume you can cancel easily; many trials auto-renew.
- Ignore small recurring charges; they add up.
Summary & what to do
Scammers offer free trials but charge your card repeatedly or make cancellation difficult. Check terms before signing up and report unauthorized or deceptive charges.
What to do right now
- Cancel through the service if possible and dispute unauthorized charges with your bank or card issuer.
- Keep emails, receipts, and screenshots of sign-up and cancellation attempts.
- Report to the FTC and your state AG if the company will not stop charging or is deceptive.
Where to report
Who: Your state Attorney General may handle deceptive billing complaints.
When to use: Use to report in your state.
What to prepare:
- Company
- What happened
Frequently asked questions
- I was charged after a free trial and can't cancel. What do I do?
- Try to cancel through the company's website or customer service and keep proof. Dispute unauthorized or recurring charges with your bank or card issuer. Report to the FTC and your state Attorney General.
- Are free trial offers always scams?
- Not all are scams, but many use fine print to charge you after the trial or make cancellation hard. Always check terms and how to cancel before entering your payment info.
Learn more
Build your knowledge: Recommended reading — books & free websites on financial literacy and fraud awareness