Scam warning
“Free Trial” That Keeps Charging
An ad offers a free trial of pills, skin cream, or supplements, often with a celebrity's face. You just pay a small shipping fee. Hidden in the fine print, you've signed up for monthly charges of $50–$100 that are very hard to cancel.
Also called: Subscription trap, Free trial scam, Negative option scam
The one thing to remember
Read the fine print before giving your card number for anything “free”. Check your card statement every month.
How it happens
- An ad or pop-up promises a free trial if you pay just shipping.
- You enter your card number.
- A few weeks later, you're charged the full price, and again every month.
- The phone number to cancel never answers, or they say you missed the deadline.
Warning signs
- “Free” offers that still need your card number.
- A celebrity or doctor promoting a miracle product.
- A countdown timer or “only 3 left”.
- Charges on your statement you don't recognize.
What to do
- Check your bank and card statements each month.
- Call your card company to dispute charges you didn't agree to, and ask for a new card number.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Last checked: October 31, 2026