Quick overview
Subscription trial scams use “negative option” marketing: a business offers a trial period but enrolls you in an ongoing paid subscription unless you cancel. These offers often require a credit/debit card up front, bury cancellation steps in small print, or rely on confusing renewal notices. While many legitimate companies use trials, scams rely on poor disclosure or difficult cancellation to collect unexpected payments.
In my work helping consumers recover unwanted charges, I regularly see the same patterns: trial sign-up with a buried auto-renew clause, a missed cancellation window, and surprise charges that go unnoticed on statements. Knowing the practical steps to prevent and respond to these charges is critical.
Why the law and government guidance matter
Federal rules and consumer-protection agencies recognize so-called negative-option practices and deceptive trial offers. Key protections include:
- The Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA) — enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — requires sellers using negative-option marketing to clearly disclose terms, obtain consumers’ consent, and provide simple cancellation mechanisms (FTC, ROSCA guidance: https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/restore-online-shoppers-confidence-act-rosca).
- The FTC and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offer complaint processes and consumer guidance on disputing unauthorized charges and canceling recurring payments (FTC complaint portal: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/; CFPB: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/).
These protections don’t guarantee an automatic refund, but they give you levers to use when a business fails to follow fair disclosure or cancellation rules.
Step-by-step: How to respond to an unwanted subscription charge
If you find a charge you didn’t expect, follow these steps in order. Acting quickly increases your chance of a refund or successful dispute.
- Gather evidence
- Save the confirmation email or screenshots from signup pages showing the trial terms, price, and any cancellation instructions.
- Note the date the free trial began and the date(s) you were charged. Keep screenshots of the bank/credit card statement showing the charge.
- Contact the merchant
- Use email or the merchant’s online chat so you have written proof. Be polite but firm: request cancellation, a refund for the charge, and confirmation in writing.
- Use a short script: “I signed up for a free trial on [date]. I did not authorize ongoing charges and request a refund of $[amount] and written confirmation that my subscription is canceled.”
- If the merchant refuses, contact your payment provider
- Credit card: Ask the issuer to dispute the charge under the Fair Credit Billing Act—explain the charge was a deceptive or unauthorized subscription. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act you generally must notify the creditor in writing within 60 days of the first bill showing the error (CFPB: Fair Credit Billing Act: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-the-fair-credit-billing-act-en-198/).
- Debit card or bank transfer (including ACH): Contact your bank promptly; liability and time limits differ. For unauthorized electronic transfers, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (Regulation E) applies (CFPB: EFTA: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-the-electronic-fund-transfer-act-en-105/). Banks often have dispute processes for recurring charges and may reverse them.
- File complaints if needed
- File an FTC complaint (https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/) and a CFPB complaint (https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/) if the company’s response is insufficient. Your state attorney general’s consumer protection office is another option.
- Protect your account
- If the subscription continues, request a cancellation confirmation and keep records. If you’re worried about further charges, ask your bank to block the merchant or replace the card.
In my practice I’ve seen customers get full refunds when they quickly documented the misleading sign-up screens and followed this sequence. Timeliness and records are the biggest determinants of success.
Prevention: how to avoid subscription trial scams
Prevention is easier than dispute. Use these habits and tools:
- Read the disclosure before you submit payment. Look for words like “auto-renews,” “will begin charging,” or “subscription.”
- Use calendar reminders for trial end dates (set a reminder 3 days before the trial ends).
- Consider a virtual or single-use card for trials. Many card issuers and fintech wallets let you create a one-time or limited-use card number to prevent ongoing charges.
- Regularly audit your subscriptions. If you want a hands-on process, see our walkthrough on how to track subscriptions and cut recurring waste.
- If you need step-by-step cancellation help, our guide on avoiding subscription traps and getting refunds shows common cancellation paths and sample dispute scripts.
Common merchant tactics and how to spot them
- Burying auto-renew clauses: Important terms might be in tiny print or a different step of the signup flow.
- Pre-checked boxes: A box checked by default that enrolls you in a subscription—always uncheck if you don’t want it.
- Soft cancellations: Merchants may allow cancellation but keep charging if the backend process isn’t completed—insist on written confirmation.
- Misleading “free” claims: If something says “free” but asks for card details and requires cancellation to avoid charges, treat it as a negative-option offer.
When a charge is authorized but you still want a refund
Some trials are technically authorized (you agreed to the terms), but the business’s disclosures may still be deceptive. If you believe the company did not clearly disclose the renewal, you can:
- Ask the merchant for a refund and explain the disclosure was unclear. Many companies refund as a customer-service gesture.
- If denied, escalate to your bank or card issuer. For credit cards, a formal dispute citing deceptive marketing or failure to provide required ROSCA disclosures can succeed.
- File a complaint with federal agencies and your state attorney general. Regulators use such complaints to start investigations or enforcement actions.
Documentation checklist (what to keep)
- Screenshots of the signup flow and any terms or checkboxes.
- Emails & chat transcripts with the company.
- Bank or card statements showing the charges (with dates and amounts).
- Your cancellation confirmation (or proof you requested cancellation).
When to seek additional help
- Repeated charges after you canceled or after merchant confirms cancellation.
- Large charges or multiple unauthorized transactions.
- Confusing merchant descriptors on your statement (contact us for help identifying common merchant name patterns).
If you need help identifying a stubborn merchant or filing a complaint, a financial counselor or consumer-protection attorney can assist. In my experience, many consumers resolve disputes successfully by combining a merchant request with a timely dispute to their card issuer.
Helpful resources
- FTC: Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA) and consumer tips (FTC): https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/restore-online-shoppers-confidence-act-rosca
- File an FTC complaint: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
- CFPB guidance and complaint portal: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
- Consumer guidance on canceling recurring charges (CFPB): https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-cancel-a-subscription-or-stop-a-recurring-charge-en-1811/
Professional disclaimer
This article is educational and does not constitute legal or financial advice. For legal questions or complex disputes, consult a consumer protection attorney or your financial institution. If you want personalized help organizing your subscriptions and disputing charges, consider speaking with a certified financial counselor.
By acting promptly, keeping records, and using prevention tools (virtual cards, reminders, subscription audits), most consumers can avoid or reverse subscription trial scams. Use the resources above and the linked guides on our site to reduce recurring cost surprises and regain control of your accounts.
