'Free Trial' sounds great, but is it really free?
Beware of 'Free Trial' Offers
You're scrolling through Facebook and you see what seems like a great deal! Try this 'Amazing Face Wash' with 5 star ratings absolutely free, just pay shipping! This deal sounds too good to be true and unfortunately, it is.
As you may have noticed, most online companies offer ‘Free Trials’ of their products if you pay shipping and handling. This seems like a great idea, you get to test the product before you commit to buy. However, if you forget to cancel you are now part of a monthly subscription. Once you check your next bank statement, you will notice your card has been charged for the full price of the product. These types of companies do not make it easy for you to cancel your trial period.
Another reason to avoid these types of promotions is that they share your information. After beginning your free trial, you may notice an increase in junk mail, emails and even phone calls from other companies attempting to rope you into getting their product.
If you do decide to take part in a free trial, make sure to follow these important steps.
Read the Terms and Conditions
Read the cancellation policy and find out how to cancel
Search online to see what others are saying about the company. Is there anyone or even multiple people saying the company may be fraudulent?
If you do not like the product, cancel your subscription and mail what is left of the product back to the company.
You can report the company to the Better Business Bureau if you suspect they are a scam and be sure to contact your financial institution to report any suspicious activity. By utilizing the Sunbelt Card Manager App, you are able to immediately turn your card off after seeing any transaction that just doesn't look quite right.
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