Subscription traps: "no-strings attached" trial offers could leave you with your hands tied
Saturday, March 14, 2020
How to dodge the free trial sinkhole
OTTAWA, March 11, 2020 /CNW/ - "Tick-tock, time is running out! Take advantage of this free trial offer now!" We've all seen them: social-media ads that promise to send a free, no-obligation trial product directly to your home for only a small shipping and handling fee. You might be tempted by that free trial of weight-loss pills, muscle-enhancement pills or anti-wrinkle serum, especially if there's a timer counting down to the end of this "limited time offer". Step back and set your own clock!
By accepting certain online "trial offers," you could end up with:
-- charges for the full cost of that trial product.
-- an unwanted subscription for expensive, monthly products.
-- charges for products you're certain you didn't order at all!
Here's how to avoid the free-trial trap:
-- Take 5: Wait, even just five minutes, to stop and think before entering
your credit card information. Resist high-pressure sales tactics like
pop-up surveys, customer queues, or countdown timers. These are designed
to discourage you from taking time to fully understand the offer and
decide if it's right for you.
-- Be skeptical: Question statements and slogans that seem too good to be
true. Don't take celebrity endorsements at face value. Often, celebrity
images are used without consent.
-- Find and read the terms and conditions: The terms and conditions might
be buried in hard-to-spot, small-font web links or they may not be there
at all! They're even harder to see if you're viewing the offer on a
small screen, like a smartphone or tablet. If you can't find or
understand the terms and conditions, don't sign up for the trial.
-- Beware of added upsell products: Clicking "proceed to checkout" or
"complete my order" may automatically add more products to your order.
To avoid further charges, look for the fine print.
-- Research: Do an online search for the company or product with the words
"complaint" and "scam" to help find potential issues. Do some
comparison-shopping if the product is available elsewhere.
-- Use your browser's ad blocker: You can use ad blockers to hide social
media ads, pop-up surveys and sponsored "news" articles.
If you do sign up for a free trial, protect yourself:
-- Keep all receipts, emails and text messages.
-- Check your credit card statements regularly for unauthorized charges.
-- Know that you can contact your financial institution to request a stop
payment because of suspected fraud.
-- Remember that there is no shame in being the victim of a scam. Report
suspected fraud and help the authorities and others like you.
The Competition Bureau addresses false and misleading conduct in the marketplace. If you believe you have been misled by a free trial offer, contact the Competition Bureau and file a complaint by phone at 1-800-348-5358 or online.
You can also file a complaint with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC); the Better Business Bureau or your provincial / territorial consumer protection agency.
Related Products
-- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: Continuity scams
-- Consumer Alert: Customer Loyalty Programs: What is your brand loyalty
worth?
-- Consumer Alert: Online dating - know what you're signing up for
-- Consumer Alert: Pop-up surveys can be a) scams b) traps c) costly?
-- The Little Black Book of Scams: 2nd edition
Associated Links
-- Consumer and Business Alerts
-- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
-- Better Business Bureau (Canada)
www.competitionbureau.gc.ca
Enquiries | Complaints
Stay connected:
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The Competition Bureau, as an independent law enforcement agency, ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace.
SOURCE Competition Bureau
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